Can Decentralized Power Generation Lead Us to a Better Energy Future? | Nico Hotz | TEDxDuke

Nico Hotz received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from ETH Zurich, Switzerland, in 2008. After postdoctoral research at UC Berkeley, he joined Duke University in 2010. His research and teaching focuses on renewable and sustainable energy, heat transfer, solar fuels, and fuel cells. Nico Hotz received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from ETH Zurich, Switzerland, in 2008. After postdoctoral research at UC Berkeley, he joined Duke University in 2010. His research and teaching focuses on renewable and sustainable energy, heat transfer, solar fuels, and fuel cells. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@bluezcluez315]

I live this paradigm - 7.8 kW solar on the roof, 10 kWh LFP in the garage, and an EV6 in the driveway - it is better. More resilient, affordable, democratic, and clean now. The two challenges I see: - getting the incumbents out of the way; most utilities no longer have favorable net metering policies and some actively fight distributed generation - making it affordable and accessible to all

[@ADTranfamily]

Only one comment?

[@Zimboprenuer]

And if we continue like this, pandemics will be a normality

[@BK123.0]

I’m not seeing the correlation… this just doesn’t make any sense.

[@emiliamiller5511]

@@BK123.0 The centralised grid is predominantly powered by coal and oil, emitting CO2 into the atmosphere and leading to pollution and global warming. These emissions are directly related to the vulnerability of the ecosystem and environment, including to things like pandemics. I think what @Zimboprenuer is trying to say is that without decentralised energy production, the environment and even human health is seriously at risk.