Stefan Thorburn
@stefanthorburn.bsky.social
Wife and 3 kids. Leaf+PV+ground source heat pump. PhD in power system stability. ABB. Opinions my own. Like=bookmark.
Reposted by Stefan Thorburn
Reposted by Stefan Thorburn
Yes. One of my favourite energy efficiency stats is that 25% of UK economic growth between 1971-2013 was due to energy efficiency: ukerc.ac.uk/news/energy-... @jrbarrett.bsky.social
January 14, 2026 at 8:25 AM
Yes. One of my favourite energy efficiency stats is that 25% of UK economic growth between 1971-2013 was due to energy efficiency: ukerc.ac.uk/news/energy-... @jrbarrett.bsky.social
Reposted by Stefan Thorburn
"Raise the mizzen sail!!"..."Aaaaarrr... shiver me timbers"
January 9, 2026 at 4:48 AM
"Raise the mizzen sail!!"..."Aaaaarrr... shiver me timbers"
Reposted by Stefan Thorburn
Please help push for your campuses and communities to decarbonize faster.
Deep geothermal is how big campuses can sustainably heat their buildings and shallow geothermal is where they can dump their heat for cooling and dehumidifying those buildings.
#EnergySky
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Deep geothermal is how big campuses can sustainably heat their buildings and shallow geothermal is where they can dump their heat for cooling and dehumidifying those buildings.
#EnergySky
www.bbc.com/news/article...
York university campus 'to be heated by geothermal energy'
The University of York plans to use water warmed by geothermal energy to heat the entire campus.
www.bbc.com
January 4, 2026 at 3:24 PM
Please help push for your campuses and communities to decarbonize faster.
Deep geothermal is how big campuses can sustainably heat their buildings and shallow geothermal is where they can dump their heat for cooling and dehumidifying those buildings.
#EnergySky
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Deep geothermal is how big campuses can sustainably heat their buildings and shallow geothermal is where they can dump their heat for cooling and dehumidifying those buildings.
#EnergySky
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Stefan Thorburn
NEW RECORD: Africa imports 2GW of solar panels for the first time in a month.
And this is happening EVERYWHERE in Africa...
And this is happening EVERYWHERE in Africa...
January 5, 2026 at 8:57 AM
NEW RECORD: Africa imports 2GW of solar panels for the first time in a month.
And this is happening EVERYWHERE in Africa...
And this is happening EVERYWHERE in Africa...
Reposted by Stefan Thorburn
Forget white paint. The ultimate cooling technology for buildings is an agrivoltaic roof garden. Roof gardens can be difficult to maintain, especially in hotter climate cities. Placing solar modules over them can help plants thrive without overheating and reduce the need for artificial irrigation.
Experts make astonishing discovery after installing solar panels above rooftop gardens: 'Can have a function'
"It's a hook to change habits."
www.yahoo.com
December 31, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Forget white paint. The ultimate cooling technology for buildings is an agrivoltaic roof garden. Roof gardens can be difficult to maintain, especially in hotter climate cities. Placing solar modules over them can help plants thrive without overheating and reduce the need for artificial irrigation.
Reposted by Stefan Thorburn
In Europe, a division is emerging: the south and south east grow drier, including parts of the UK. Meanwhile, the North and North East, including parts of the UK, are growing wetter:
2/6
2/6
November 29, 2025 at 7:18 AM
In Europe, a division is emerging: the south and south east grow drier, including parts of the UK. Meanwhile, the North and North East, including parts of the UK, are growing wetter:
2/6
2/6
Reposted by Stefan Thorburn
From Copernicus: This shows how the expected date for breaching 1.5C has been creeping ever closer in recent years. The orange date shows the baseline for the extrapolation; the red date shows when 1.5C is breached based on the trend...
November 30, 2025 at 6:34 PM
From Copernicus: This shows how the expected date for breaching 1.5C has been creeping ever closer in recent years. The orange date shows the baseline for the extrapolation; the red date shows when 1.5C is breached based on the trend...
Reposted by Stefan Thorburn
According to Oxford professor of energy Jan Rosenow, rapid electrification of Europe's industry, not rolling back the EU's Green Deal, will save European industry.
Why electrification, not repealing green laws, will save Europe's industry
According to Oxford professor of energy Jan Rosenow, rapid electrification of Europe's industry, not rolling back the EU's Green Deal, will save European industry.
euobserver.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:00 AM
According to Oxford professor of energy Jan Rosenow, rapid electrification of Europe's industry, not rolling back the EU's Green Deal, will save European industry.
Reposted by Stefan Thorburn
Good morning with good news: Poland's coal plunged from 91.1% of its electricity in June 2015 to a record low monthly share of 42.9% in June 2025!
Down 48.2 points of market share in just 10 years.
How?
Mostly Wind/Solar.
They jumped from 4% in June 2015 to 38.9% in June 2025. #energysky
Down 48.2 points of market share in just 10 years.
How?
Mostly Wind/Solar.
They jumped from 4% in June 2015 to 38.9% in June 2025. #energysky
November 18, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Good morning with good news: Poland's coal plunged from 91.1% of its electricity in June 2015 to a record low monthly share of 42.9% in June 2025!
Down 48.2 points of market share in just 10 years.
How?
Mostly Wind/Solar.
They jumped from 4% in June 2015 to 38.9% in June 2025. #energysky
Down 48.2 points of market share in just 10 years.
How?
Mostly Wind/Solar.
They jumped from 4% in June 2015 to 38.9% in June 2025. #energysky
Reposted by Stefan Thorburn
First levy on flying is far too timid...
"Singapore will impose a sustainable aviation fuel levy on flights departing from October 2026, ranging from $1 to $41.60, depending on flight class and distance."
www.straitstimes.com/singapore/tr...
"Singapore will impose a sustainable aviation fuel levy on flights departing from October 2026, ranging from $1 to $41.60, depending on flight class and distance."
www.straitstimes.com/singapore/tr...
Won’t ‘break the bank’: Passengers say green jet fuel levy will not deter travel
The sustainable aviation fuel levy of between $1 and $41.60 will kick in from October 2026. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.
www.straitstimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:38 PM
First levy on flying is far too timid...
"Singapore will impose a sustainable aviation fuel levy on flights departing from October 2026, ranging from $1 to $41.60, depending on flight class and distance."
www.straitstimes.com/singapore/tr...
"Singapore will impose a sustainable aviation fuel levy on flights departing from October 2026, ranging from $1 to $41.60, depending on flight class and distance."
www.straitstimes.com/singapore/tr...
Reposted by Stefan Thorburn
Andrew Forrest says real zero is already the “winning business case” in three key fossil fuel guzzling industries #energysky -- via Renew Economy:
Andrew Forrest says real zero is already the “winning business case” in three key fossil fuel guzzling industries
Andrew Forrest says “game-changing” tipping point in renewables means “real zero” is the winning business case for even heavy fossil fuel guzzling industries.
reneweconomy.com.au
November 11, 2025 at 3:59 AM
Andrew Forrest says real zero is already the “winning business case” in three key fossil fuel guzzling industries #energysky -- via Renew Economy:
Reposted by Stefan Thorburn
NEW data | Less than 50% of Australia's electricity generation came from fossil fuels in October 🇦🇺⚡️
This was the first month ever where renewables have overtaken fossil fuels in Australia's electricity mix.
10 years ago, in October 2015, fossil fuels made up 86%.
This was the first month ever where renewables have overtaken fossil fuels in Australia's electricity mix.
10 years ago, in October 2015, fossil fuels made up 86%.
November 10, 2025 at 11:08 AM
NEW data | Less than 50% of Australia's electricity generation came from fossil fuels in October 🇦🇺⚡️
This was the first month ever where renewables have overtaken fossil fuels in Australia's electricity mix.
10 years ago, in October 2015, fossil fuels made up 86%.
This was the first month ever where renewables have overtaken fossil fuels in Australia's electricity mix.
10 years ago, in October 2015, fossil fuels made up 86%.
Reposted by Stefan Thorburn
Exactly 0.1% of all the carbon we capture from the air isn’t via forests. Top 10 Countries with Largest Forests:
1 Russia: 833m hectares (20.11% share of world)
2 Brazil: 486m (11.74%)
3 Canada: 369m (8.91%)
4 US: 308m (7.46%)
5 China: 227m (5.49%)
6 DRC: 139m (3.36%)
7 Australia: 134m (3.23%)
1 Russia: 833m hectares (20.11% share of world)
2 Brazil: 486m (11.74%)
3 Canada: 369m (8.91%)
4 US: 308m (7.46%)
5 China: 227m (5.49%)
6 DRC: 139m (3.36%)
7 Australia: 134m (3.23%)
Ranked: Countries With the Largest Forests in 2025
Discover the countries with the largest forests in 2025 and how just five nations hold more than half of global woodland.
www.visualcapitalist.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:16 AM
Exactly 0.1% of all the carbon we capture from the air isn’t via forests. Top 10 Countries with Largest Forests:
1 Russia: 833m hectares (20.11% share of world)
2 Brazil: 486m (11.74%)
3 Canada: 369m (8.91%)
4 US: 308m (7.46%)
5 China: 227m (5.49%)
6 DRC: 139m (3.36%)
7 Australia: 134m (3.23%)
1 Russia: 833m hectares (20.11% share of world)
2 Brazil: 486m (11.74%)
3 Canada: 369m (8.91%)
4 US: 308m (7.46%)
5 China: 227m (5.49%)
6 DRC: 139m (3.36%)
7 Australia: 134m (3.23%)
Reposted by Stefan Thorburn
Late night reading:
Denmark's car fleet is currently 12% EV.
Those EVs reduced oil imports by 11%
That saved about 225m euro.
From here: ember-energy.org/latest-insig...
There was another time that Denmark's oil consumption went down by 11%...
Denmark's car fleet is currently 12% EV.
Those EVs reduced oil imports by 11%
That saved about 225m euro.
From here: ember-energy.org/latest-insig...
There was another time that Denmark's oil consumption went down by 11%...
Shockproof: how electrification can strengthen EU energy security | Ember
Electrification, using homegrown clean power, is the main tool to reduce the EU’s exceptionally high and risky dependence on imported fossil fuels.
ember-energy.org
November 6, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Late night reading:
Denmark's car fleet is currently 12% EV.
Those EVs reduced oil imports by 11%
That saved about 225m euro.
From here: ember-energy.org/latest-insig...
There was another time that Denmark's oil consumption went down by 11%...
Denmark's car fleet is currently 12% EV.
Those EVs reduced oil imports by 11%
That saved about 225m euro.
From here: ember-energy.org/latest-insig...
There was another time that Denmark's oil consumption went down by 11%...
Reposted by Stefan Thorburn
Yara is delivering on CCS. European policy must catch up.
Yara is delivering on CCS. European policy must catch up.
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is vital for industrial decarbonization. Yara leads with a major CCS project, but EU policy must urgently be completed to create a viable business case for low-carbon production and a mature CCS market.
dlvr.it
November 6, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Yara is delivering on CCS. European policy must catch up.
Reposted by Stefan Thorburn
tech.yahoo.com/home/article...
Going to highlight this one since I used to work in the biz.
Whirlpool developing a "highly porous powder" to replace polyurethane foam in refrigerator insulation, improving both energy efficiency and recyclability.
Going to highlight this one since I used to work in the biz.
Whirlpool developing a "highly porous powder" to replace polyurethane foam in refrigerator insulation, improving both energy efficiency and recyclability.
Whirlpool promises to fix one huge issues with refrigerators: 'The biggest innovation in refrigerator technology in the last 50 years'
"There’s a lot of work to be done here."
tech.yahoo.com
November 4, 2025 at 11:39 AM
tech.yahoo.com/home/article...
Going to highlight this one since I used to work in the biz.
Whirlpool developing a "highly porous powder" to replace polyurethane foam in refrigerator insulation, improving both energy efficiency and recyclability.
Going to highlight this one since I used to work in the biz.
Whirlpool developing a "highly porous powder" to replace polyurethane foam in refrigerator insulation, improving both energy efficiency and recyclability.
Reposted by Stefan Thorburn
How BECCS Can Help Deliver Europe’s 2040 Industrial Carbon Removal Targets
How BECCS Can Help Deliver Europe’s 2040 Industrial Carbon Removal Targets
Achieving EU climate neutrality by 2050 requires new technologies, such as Carbon Dioxide Removals. Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) in particular offers a mature, scalable solution. Retrofitting existing biomass plants could meet 2040 targets, provided stable regulation, investment certainty, and coordinated CO₂ infrastructure are ensured.
dlvr.it
November 4, 2025 at 6:08 AM
How BECCS Can Help Deliver Europe’s 2040 Industrial Carbon Removal Targets
Reposted by Stefan Thorburn
Floatovoltaics (solar on reservoirs) can be installed vertically too! In this way (facing east and west) they maximize morning and afternoon power generation and avoid overshadowing the water, keeping oxygenation high for aquatic habitat.
www.worldrecordacademy.org/2025/11/worl...
www.worldrecordacademy.org/2025/11/worl...
November 4, 2025 at 2:03 AM
Floatovoltaics (solar on reservoirs) can be installed vertically too! In this way (facing east and west) they maximize morning and afternoon power generation and avoid overshadowing the water, keeping oxygenation high for aquatic habitat.
www.worldrecordacademy.org/2025/11/worl...
www.worldrecordacademy.org/2025/11/worl...
Reposted by Stefan Thorburn
Finland has a goal to be net zero GHG emissions by 2035.
Emissions were declining, the LULUCF removals were strong, the plan was looking good, but then LULUCF collapsed.
Net GHG emissions have actually risen over the last decade!
www.treasuryfinland.fi/investor-rel...
1/
Emissions were declining, the LULUCF removals were strong, the plan was looking good, but then LULUCF collapsed.
Net GHG emissions have actually risen over the last decade!
www.treasuryfinland.fi/investor-rel...
1/
October 23, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Finland has a goal to be net zero GHG emissions by 2035.
Emissions were declining, the LULUCF removals were strong, the plan was looking good, but then LULUCF collapsed.
Net GHG emissions have actually risen over the last decade!
www.treasuryfinland.fi/investor-rel...
1/
Emissions were declining, the LULUCF removals were strong, the plan was looking good, but then LULUCF collapsed.
Net GHG emissions have actually risen over the last decade!
www.treasuryfinland.fi/investor-rel...
1/
Reposted by Stefan Thorburn
The U.S. economy has grown by $20 trillion since 2000 … about $7.7 trillion of that (36% of all the growth in GDP) is spending related to recovering from or preparing for climate disasters per Bloomberg Intelligence #EconSky
October 22, 2025 at 12:19 PM
The U.S. economy has grown by $20 trillion since 2000 … about $7.7 trillion of that (36% of all the growth in GDP) is spending related to recovering from or preparing for climate disasters per Bloomberg Intelligence #EconSky
Reposted by Stefan Thorburn
Renewable energy is much more energy efficient than fossil fuels. EMBER-ENERGY has a new report that shows this quite clearly. Here's a 🧵 and the source to start: ember-energy.org/latest-insig... 🧪🔌💡☀️💨💧🔋
The Electrotech Revolution | Ember
The annual slidedeck from Kingsmill Bond and the Ember Futures team unpacks how electrotech is rewriting the economics and geopolitics of energy.
ember-energy.org
October 19, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Renewable energy is much more energy efficient than fossil fuels. EMBER-ENERGY has a new report that shows this quite clearly. Here's a 🧵 and the source to start: ember-energy.org/latest-insig... 🧪🔌💡☀️💨💧🔋
Reposted by Stefan Thorburn
When gas passes
Wholesale electricity prices respond to market forces: renewables are now so cheap that, once they set the majority market price, everyone benefits (oh, except legacy fossil gas and fossil coal generators.)
www.linkedin.com/posts/raywil...
Wholesale electricity prices respond to market forces: renewables are now so cheap that, once they set the majority market price, everyone benefits (oh, except legacy fossil gas and fossil coal generators.)
www.linkedin.com/posts/raywil...
October 11, 2025 at 2:32 AM
When gas passes
Wholesale electricity prices respond to market forces: renewables are now so cheap that, once they set the majority market price, everyone benefits (oh, except legacy fossil gas and fossil coal generators.)
www.linkedin.com/posts/raywil...
Wholesale electricity prices respond to market forces: renewables are now so cheap that, once they set the majority market price, everyone benefits (oh, except legacy fossil gas and fossil coal generators.)
www.linkedin.com/posts/raywil...
Reposted by Stefan Thorburn
Go Zurich. Zurich votes to ban petrol leaf blowers share.google/ufg77ss63R1W...
Zurich votes to ban petrol leaf blowers
Residents of Zurich voted Sunday to ban the use of petrol-fuelled leaf blowers and leaf vacuums over noise and air pollution concerns in public and private spaces.
share.google
September 29, 2025 at 6:46 AM
Go Zurich. Zurich votes to ban petrol leaf blowers share.google/ufg77ss63R1W...
Reposted by Stefan Thorburn
"Our measurements show that wheat and grass-clover mixtures grow just as well between vertical solar panels as in open fields. At the same time, the panels produce electricity in a daily pattern that better matches energy demand. It's a win-win,"
Get these to Kansas ASAP
Get these to Kansas ASAP
Vertical rows are the agrivoltaic winner!
“The vertical panels produce slightly less electricity—but with higher value, as generation peaks coincide with morning and late afternoon demand…The crops don't seem to mind the presence of solar panels and they like the wind protection they provide.”
“The vertical panels produce slightly less electricity—but with higher value, as generation peaks coincide with morning and late afternoon demand…The crops don't seem to mind the presence of solar panels and they like the wind protection they provide.”
Double harvest: Vertical solar panels and crops thrive side by side
Imagine a field where solar panels and crops coexist—with no trade-off. It sounds like science fiction, but that's precisely what researchers from Aarhus University have now documented in a full-scale...
techxplore.com
September 22, 2025 at 12:09 PM
"Our measurements show that wheat and grass-clover mixtures grow just as well between vertical solar panels as in open fields. At the same time, the panels produce electricity in a daily pattern that better matches energy demand. It's a win-win,"
Get these to Kansas ASAP
Get these to Kansas ASAP