Energy Should Be Free | Jules Congalton | TEDxHastingsSt

The energy landscape will change significantly in the near future as exciting and promising new technologies are constantly emerging. These changes could make a profound difference for our society. How can these innovations improve society by tackling energy issues that play a crucial role in people’s lives? Jules Congalton works in information management and is interested in delivering positive change by combining social and technical innovations. In 2014 he completed a PhD in Information systems examining the effect of diversity in software development teams. His current focus is on how to optimise the management of the assets which make up our electricity system to deliver the best outcomes for the community. His goal is to implement changes in ways that are inclusive of others and which build lasting value for those that he works with. 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

[@bitzturnbyte9334]

A 15 minute video talking about a problem without actually stating a single solution. A fitting end to this video would have been the scene from Billy Madison, Everyone is now dumber.

[@poweredman]

I understood that the solution was to make the energy free but providing extra levels of its manipulation at a price, much like the water example. But I do agree that there was a lack of concrete answers.

[@ChrisF_1982]

have the rich pay for the poor's solar panels, and wind turbines. Problem solved.

[@ManuelSaenz2023]

It is not difficult at all. It is just a politic and economic decision. For example, in my country, we the people already paid for the energy plants with our taxes. Why do we have to pay again for the electricity coming to our houses?

[@MiikaKontio]

You pay what you get. Except not all plants give you, hehe

[@matth9103]

It is certainly a shame that so many people do not have access to sufficient resources - that goes for energy, food, shelter, etc. I believe that the problem that we are discussing is far more generalisable than just energy hardship, and relates to essentially all forms of resource hardship. [ Yes, this is a long post, so the last main paragraph acts as a TL;DR ] You mentioned a lot of important information, and I agree with many of your points. The cost of solar and batteries (and other renewables) has indeed come down in recent years, but I would push back on your statement of 'free' - it is important to note that the amortised cost of renewables has only recently become somewhat cost competitive with gas and coal power (because carbon emissions are still a largely unpriced externality). As you mentioned however, the main problem (as with most things) is logistics. Micro-grids are a fantastic approach to minimising logistical costs in moderate density areas, and have seen widespread usage - especially in remote towns and islands. However, where there is already a robust grid (and enough power producers and/or regulations to prevent a monopoly forming), adding distinct micro-grids doesn't have much of an impact. One of the underlying problems is the fact that people like living spread out. In a dense city, transmission costs (per person) are negligible, as are the distribution costs of nearly everything. Physical items can suffer in extreme densities due to road congestion, but there are work-arounds available. In a low density area however, there are just not enough people to split the sheer cost of constructing power poles, laying roads, etc. Remote areas have it even worse, where they need a high density, long distance connection on top of their local distribution costs. This is a physical limitation, and can (essentially) only be overcome by either a change in behaviour of people (being willing to live closer together), and/or a massive decrease in the cost of infrastructure. Interestingly, solar (paired with batteries) could prove to be one area where this is actually solvable, as the sun acts as a great transmission network - the other resource hardships are not so lucky. The other underlying problem is simply that many people simply don't earn enough money. In some cases, this is because they are underpaid, but far more commonly it is that they are not able to contribute enough to their community to be paid a living wage. There are compounding issues here, partly due to many other countries holding significantly lower standards of living (and hence labour costs) - which prevents low-to-mid skill jobs being cost competitive. What this creates is a situation where (primarily) only high skill jobs are cost competitive (trades, research, software development, etc.), but shortfalls in education lock many people out of this market. Some countries have even more barriers to entry, such as the cost of college/university, and oftentimes the quality of this education is lacking - raising the training/onboarding cost of new hires. The result of all this is a reduction of social mobility, particularly affecting poorer people/communities. Now, you argued that a solution was to make energy free for low-income persons/communities, but I believe that only treats the symptoms whilst concealing the root cause. As I have laid out, the inability of some to access electricity (and other essentials) is largely down to the combination of high logistical cost, and low income (coupled with lowered social mobility) - both of which need to be addressed head on. Making electricity free does not actually treat the problem, it just relieves the pressure. Also, by making something free, you naturally lose all market forces pushing for resource conservation - the power generators get paid more for more consumption, and they now have a guaranteed income from the government that increases when they can get more low income people to waste power (meaning that you have to add in a whole heap of checks and balances, and the corresponding bureaucratic costs). This is why I believe that instating a Universal Basic Income (UBI) is important (note: this is an income supplement, not a replacement!). It maintains all of the market forces pushing for resource conservation (people and companies still have to pay for what they use, so they try to use less), but now everyone has access to a reasonable (survivable) income. Of course, this comes at a significant cost, but is essentially equivalent to utilising the 'free energy' principle, and extending it to include all necessities (actually, a UBI will quite possibly come out a little cheaper). However, it has practically no bureaucratic overhead, and is far more tolerant to gaming of the system. Finally, it actually does more than just subsidise the cost of living - it directly increases social mobility by allowing people to take financial risks (taking a loan, starting a business, seeking further education, etc.) - as it provides a guaranteed livable income should everything else fail. Though there are (solvable) complications of a UBI that need to be addressed, I believe that this is the only reasonable answer to all of these problems (and more). If anyone has read this whole post, thank you! Any comments/criticisms/ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[@nathanworkman9069]

i must say though a ubi is only really beneficial in the short term as any real longevity to it just raises prices and devalues our currency. i feel like there are alot of problems when it comes to a ubi and setting the bottom floor number. ( the idea that if everyone has 1000 dollars no one has a thousand dollars) i have spoken to some people about the ideas of a ubi most of which are under the wing of andrew yang as i would say right now he is the spear head for that in politics. Although the idea is still admittedly foreign to me i just feel like it could really lead to bug issues down the road. also i hate that people are still acting like solar energy is the way of the future. we have known for a long time now that solar energy is rather ineffective. takes up ALOT of land and is harmful to our environment. i'm not saying gas and oil is the solution but i think we need to try to find other ways to create energy or possibly reinvest in nuclear energy which is highly effective and has proven really useful for over seas competitors.

[@RallyRat]

I'm reminded of when Vermin Supreme was asked about who would foot the bill for all the free ponies he promised. He expertly replied, "You don't understand, these are free ponies!"

[@grahammewburn]

I purchased a few solar panels and a wind generator plus some batteries. My first solar panels cost $60 second hand. The next 2 cost $40 each. I started with old batteries. Then purchased a couple lead acids @ $240 each. Then I saved for some Lithium batteries $800 each. Last I saved $600 for a wind generator. Now I'm saving for a 2000 watt 240 volt inverter. I live on a boat. I don't get an electricity bill. Cheers Gray Australia

[@Paerigos]

My computer which I use for most of my relaxation would alone take that 10 times every second.

[@NicoSmets]

You might not get a bill, but I would say your electricity is darn expensive. Your choices on a boat are limited off course. I hope your investment lasts you a very long time.

[@helenstewart4050]

I hope there are changes as it is very expensive!I often wonder if I can just afford, how do others afford at all ! If it was even half the amount my family would have really benifited imensly !Hope for the best !

[@dulcelatina214]

Buy dollar tree garden solar lights , charge them all day and bring them in at night so your never in the dark. White walls and floors help brighten the areas at night even more.

[@ForWhomBellstols]

Everything should be free why not?

[@msatya7210]

Thank you very much tedx talks for this video

[@emblazen6442]

None of this is free, someone needs to pay for the conversion to usable forms of power and infrastructure. If it is not the people supplied with the power it is the government.

[@LordAugastus]

If banks print money out of thin air, offload the risk and responsibility via interest and fees to the borrowers(mainly people) and profit for doing nothing? (banking is largely automated nowadays)....so yes, take money out of thin air as is already happening and instead of lining the pockets of the rich, the gov can you know, employ people, build infrastructure, and maintain it. Put money into universities and R&D sectors in order to spur development and innovation.... The very basic min needed to keep the economy going....after all energy is like water and internet, it is the very besic essence of humanity to function, to move forward and prosper. The only difference now, to the idealistic I stated above, is atm the money gets printed by the private market for the market for the profit of the 1%...

[@jeffk464]

Free pizza for everyone

[@srishailspujar6278]

You are right ..... at least we need pay for the panels because no any plant bears solar panels...... an initial investment is always required.....

[@josepalacid]

@@srishailspujar6278 He's not talking about the infrastructure, it's all about energy bills.

[@srishailspujar6278]

@@josepalacid the bills are noting but the cost of wear and tear in the devices or the parts........

[@NaturalV.Education]

some are living this by being self sustainable in terms of growing food, electricity, sewerage, housing, and having a natural water source and being minimalists, including giving up a car. they are the lucky ones living what they believe. the rest has this Ted talk and our country bans collecting rain water. something to aspire for.

[@user-fy6ln6cr9i]

المقطع مش مترجم لى .!؟

[@MegaMARLEEN1]

Wonderful idea Improving the improved and everything should and will endlessly be improved. For me for u for all

[@rickb06]

I pray that we eventually follow your words, but I can't get over how greedy and hateful the elites are who run our planet and impoverish the poor. My faith in humanity has been horribly damaged by the ridiculously wealthy people who abuse entire countries, reducing billions of people into crippling poverty, depression and depravity.

[@user-cd8qw1ec5q]

Very good 👌👌👌❤

[@terrywheelock9458]

If you want to get rid of poverty then you must have the will to get rid of "socialism" in ANY form!

[@noreasonwhynot4548]

Because?

[@bgs03548]

How’s croney capitalism working out in USA? How many ppl are being shafted by politicians during this pandemic?

[@terrywheelock9458]

@@bgs03548 It works GREAT, but it also is just another form of "socialism" (authoritarianism), groups taking advantage of other groups, and will eventually FAIL, but that is what happens with ANY socialism!

[@aylbdrmadison1051]

@@terrywheelock9458 : All of the happiest countries (America is not even close to being on this list btw) are *all* Socialist democracies. Not a few or some, *all* of them. Before 1981 when reagan needed to gut our socialist systems to pay for his welfare for the wealthy elite (socialism just for the rich, lols), socialism was not a bad word even for republicans. But since they made it a bad word, they've gutted our public education, social security, national healthcare etc etc. All socialist systems. You are voting against yourself, your family, and your friends. You are contributing to the dumbing down of America. You are why we are at the bottom of the first world nation in almost every single way imaginable except that we have to largest wealth disparity. I suggest you educate yourself on what socialism even is before America becomes the next Venezuela. Because that's exactly what a country looks like when stripped of all it's social systems.

[@terrywheelock9458]

@@aylbdrmadison1051 Nope, all of those countries are FAILING countries because they are ALL FREE LOADER countries, that the US is propping up! Get a job! 🤣

[@robertareid8949]

Well Done Jules!!!!

[@hissendaud653]

Thanks so much

[@SY-sp8uo]

Energy. Water. Bread. Sea. Oxygen. Nature. Noone must own the planet.

[@tonyhollerz6958]

No one owns the planet, I agree. Some people though don’t understand the expensive cost to purify water, yet the don’t want to pay for it, and give out about the seas being polluted. This is happening where I’m from it makes no sense.

[@NicoSmets]

You clearly never felt the hardship difficulty and resistance in garning and distributing energy. Go grow your own crop, bake your own bread, and feel the cost. Should other people provide that to you for free? Don't be ridiculous.

[@nettogames4268]

I mean... It's not really odd that energy isn't free, even the "free energy" we claim via solar power and such. Money is needed to pay for materials to build them. Money is needed to pay for people to design them. Money is needed to pay for people to put them up. Money is needed to pay for materials to maintain them. Money is needed to pay for people to maintain them. Now that, but multiplied a couple times over for constructs to store, distribute and monitor energy. That's a lot of money. It needs to come from somewhere. Sure, some governments could put aside a tiny percentage of their tax spending to cover it all with ease, but not all governments can. A solution? I don't have one. But I think it's a problem caused by a bigger issue. The economy as it is, is broken. It's been broken for a long time. People make money just by temporarily owning things, just to hand them off to someone else, without actually doing anything. How is that ok in any sane society?

[@MegaMARLEEN1]

Yes Nothing has ever been for free, and before it waz very rude and tuff, if u didn t get food for the day by hunting of else, u just didn t eat. This said, i believe nothing will ever be completely for free, efforts will always be needed, but a good system can make the efforts fair in comparission to what u get. And always improving the improved is something i love doing with any idea i have myself, it s just that i think, what s wrong with that? . Are we afraid of improving ourselves, our ideas, for purselves and for the others? Are we afraid of a better product, a better service, a better and happier employee??? and so much more. I like the idea not as a impulsive shock, but a steady, fair and reasonable direction for me for u and for all and for all areas of life. My mini thoughts on this.

[@nettogames4268]

​@@Dimitris_Half In America (and a few other countries) that would be the easiest solution, aye. Though my comment isn't about America or any individual country, but rather applies all countries in question.

[@lukiepoole9254]

Just make a simple and cheap energy creating machine.

[@nettogames4268]

@@lukiepoole9254 Example? The problem is that energy can't be made, only transferred. A combustable material, for example, holds energy inside it. When it's combusting, it's releasing that energy. Coal burners do not produce energy, they just release it from the material, and transfer it to our wires and batteries. The problem is that- Either the material that holds the energy is finite and/or expensive, or... The "material" is free (Sunlight, water, etc.) but not cost effective. Solar panels are getting really cheap, and are amazing for efficiency on small scales. But on bigger scales, it doesn't work. Too expensive. Machines to catch the flow of water have the opposite problem. They're really effective, but comically expensive. They work a charm, but are just too much money to reasonably mass-produce.

[@PetelgeuseRomaneeContiyes]

The Fed already makes us pay so much in taxes.. and they still charge a fortune just to keep the lights on..

[@ZPositive]

Want everyone to waste a TON of energy? Make it free. Want everyone to be frugal with their energy usage? Make them pay for it.

[@linusbrown3108]

Reliable old Urine Town

[@archenema6792]

The Law Of Thermodynamics doesn't care about your "should". No matter how much you want to stand on a soapbox and preach against the immorality of Nature, it will remain indifferent to your childish conception of fairness.

[@brokensilence6790]

Agreed. Maybe he should up the ante with a well placed Greta style, 'How Dare You'. As well as the physical reality that you mentioned, I wonder how the scientists that have mentally wrestled with the plausibility of more efficient energy production, and the workers that have sweated to provide us with power, would feel about taking a pay cut, in order to fulfil this sort of idealism.

[@noreasonwhynot4548]

Thus Spoke the Spoiled Brat

[@aylbdrmadison1051]

@ArchEnema 67 : Still a delusional fascist I see. I haven't given up on you guys yet though. I think it's important to leave room for you to evolve.

[@brokensilence6790]

@@aylbdrmadison1051 Calling someone that you disagree with a 'fascist': You know who it is that try to silence others that they are opposed to are, don't you? They're Fascists. One thing that some people could evolve to do, is to look up words in a dictionary, and learn and understand their definition, or if that's too difficult, only use words that they already understand (like PlayStation or X-Box; something in regular use and easy to remember), instead of just saying words that they've heard somewhere. I'll give you a head start. Look up Benito Mussolini, grasp the political and historical context of Fascism, then return to your comment and compare what you wrote to facts.

[@vthilton]

Sharing, Justice and Peace for All.

[@K1AFitman]

💪💪💪💪💪💪

[@wessamtaher2276]

عايزين ترجمه للتيدكس الانجلش بعد اذنكوا

[@owens.studios]

I thought the title said "everything"

[@Paerigos]

Well to store energy... You need energy and matter... And you need expensive technology. That requires work and study... And you have to give them something for it... And sorry... Renewables simply won't cut it for requirements of our technology.

[@bgs03548]

‘Our technology’ rightly spoken but what if it already exists and they know it?

[@Paerigos]

@@bgs03548 well current physics can describe quantum levels and build tech that works that can do what would be considered impossible two decades before... Sadly it seems the physics is mostly right because again that technology WORKS. And current thermodynamics does not offer free energy. In some cases it can offer cheap one. But in terms of storage that will never be cheap as that means to defy entropy.

[@lukiepoole9254]

@@Paerigos Energy can be created. Thermodynamics laws are created by zi0ni3ts.

[@alexwacaba6295]

exactly

[@messaniabdelaziz4245]

Please put the Arabic translation

[@eleganteimbecil1655]

Build nuclear fision power plants. It won't be free, but 95% cheaper

[@yogeshkad6928]

Make this video in other languages

[@rickb06]

I don't know about you people, but unlike what this intelligent and wise man says, I prefer to cook dangerously, it adds something to the meat and POTATOES, 🥔🥔🥔🥔. So good!

[@tenminutetokyo2643]

So should jobs.

[@BruceThomson]

Brilliant, Jules. 'Prime minister next! =)

[@tonyhollerz6958]

Omg the guy is called Jules and he’s talking about energy lmao😂

[@mason4625]

Very funny! 😂😂

[@Jessicadeborahloves]

🤣🤣🤣

[@ysosirius2886]

Good observation

[@fokkenhotz]

jewels? he's talking about his what do you call them now?

[@christianhume7618]

lol!

[@dxnz0]

Just finished watching Arthur Benjamin and they upload

[@frankieoceansxiv8192]

What is the difference between a$100 dollar bill than a $1 dollar bill, other than the way the used ink is arranged on the used paper. We would be better off trading in fools gold, at least you can use it as a projectile as a secondary measure.

[@klumaverik]

Energy is free. Its the mass storage and output that costs money. 😆

[@MiikaKontio]

And gathering it and its never 100% but you lose some in the process mainly by heat

[@rxaxlxpxh]

Tesla vs edison, tesla's coil how will i charge for it. The promise of nuclear to cheap to meter.

[@marafideliz5025]

A minha energia me pertence ! Nao quero ser estudada ' eu depois de assistir tudo que fazem com as pessoas fiquei enojada 'experiências com gente 'faça um filho e o coloquei como cobaia !

[@santibozzo4956]

Energy is free, the fact that you choose to pay someone to get it for you does not change that. If you want you can try to make a solar panel by yourself, spoiler: you probably won't be able to create them since you don't know how to do it and the knowledge to be able to do it was achieved through years of studies, tests and failures, consuming a quantity of materials that would represent a millionaire expense. Not only you can't affor to make one, you will die before you achive enough knowledge. But I guess that is better than paying an amount of money and saving you the trouble of trying to create one yourself. Also there is a chance that you die in the process because you make a mistake in an experiment and get electrocuted or make something explode. But please give it a try, let's see how far you can go.

[@aylbdrmadison1051]

That's easily the most inane argument I have read all day. And I've literally reads hundreds of comments today.

[@kellyjackson7889]

I grew a bunch of lemons and stuck nails in them, wrapped copper wire around the nails series/parallel AND i have rats running on old hamster wheels that have hand built magnetos i feed them with the corpses of dead rats.

[@niki_izi]

Free energy will bring to tremendous overuse. What the reason to turn off the lights or A/C when you leave the house if electricity is free? Nothing should be free. Everything should be fairly priced.

[@andieoconnor1321]

I know him.

[@iki740]

Nothing as free energy. Someone has to pay for solar or any other methods

[@RogueBeatsARG]

yeah, how you pay to the people that mantain those systems if its free

[@daredevil192]

Thanks for sharing us your views Sir. GOD BLESS YOU

[@joshualaurentshea2411]

Zebra shirts should be free.

[@callmemr.thomasreagan1157]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@PiRaHelTur]

You sir is off the wagon.....Everything is already free...we in a close system.

[@andreastiefenthaler3811]

Everything sould be free. Even MONEY! What a quack!

[@TheVigilante2000]

Seems like he is complaining about poor people. If you are too poor to keep the lights on, you're just going to be poor in a well lit hovel.

[@user-ej8rx8io9z]

سبحان الله الحمد لله لا اله الا الله الله أكبر لاحول ولا قوة إلا بالله العلي العظيم اللهم صل وسلم وبارك على نبينا محمد صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وصحبه وسلم

[@johnlakey4983]

People should not have to eat food either.

[@yaoe7829]

Hager abdelhkem where are you

[@normalh2035]

should be but will not be free of course!

[@bak_10]

energy CAN be free!!!

[@marwanaljohani9389]

Please translate to Arabic

[@erensari169]

bitcoin miners 😉

[@Nosferatu311]

Yeah. Everything should be free right?

[@linusbrown3108]

right? Right????? but when everyone's rich, nobody will be

[@owens.studios]

@@linusbrown3108 "And when everyone's Super.... no one will be.."

[@linusbrown3108]

@@owens.studios And when everyone's a communist, one harvest moon later, no one will be

[@leahdorothy]

@@linusbrown3108 u guys hear the word “free” and immediately start frothing at the mouth and screaming about communism lol take a day off

[@kellyjackson7889]

@@owens.studios Super! Thanks for asking!

[@ZeniferJenZ]

⚡ 369 ⚡

[@ysosirius2886]

Bring the darkness to the light 👹👌🏿

[@NicoSmets]

No.

[@lukiepoole9254]

Yes.

[@mohammedomer6221]

قرود

[@user-wp8yx]

In the United States we definitely should make people pay for it. Otherwise they will waste tremendous amounts of energy. Better to insulate homes built without insulation. Most cost-effective is to insulate roofs of short structures like single families and duplexes.

[@diafino.]

superficial speech. I expect a lot more from this channel 👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻

[@transon6655]

gun ownership is also a right. Which is why it should be free

[@wimlaskila6374]

free for the corrupt dishonest rich but Not free for the poor?

[@bcvc3365]

Nikola Tesla would be proud 👏

[@dakadoodle6295]

We should also force uranium minors to work for free. And reactor builders to work for free. Almost sounds like a form of slavery. People like this are scary how crazy they are yet how theyre able to attract so many people.

[@THATMOFODIRT]

Nothing is free.

[@THATMOFODIRT]

@VICC acc Here’s a thought. How do you harness the sun’s free energy?

[@THATMOFODIRT]

@VICC acc And how is that going to power your home? Your electronics? Your transportation? Food supply? Everything you use daily? Does the sun automatically do all of that or does it require something else?

[@THATMOFODIRT]

@VICC acc When your body converts vitamin d from sunlight and oxygen it requires energy. Where does your body get that energy?

[@terrywheelock9458]

NOTHING is "FREE", never has been, never will be, it should be AVAILABLE and AFFORDABLE! A multi-faceted uninterruptable source of "energy" is the heart of prosperity! The "natural resources" for the living of life, should be AVAILABLE and AFFORDABLE for ALL at a "non" profit rate!

[@brodiwheeler7583]

Well money isn’t real so technically energy is already free.

[@rs-zm3bl]

the title says all and the comments at the top confirms it - what a deceitful man - there is nothing free on earth