Canada in Crisis, China Dominating Electric Vehicle and Self-Driving
Release Date: 02/06/2025
Canada Burns While We Win Sustainability Awards
The Clean Energy Show
Our city had the worst air quality in the world at the time of recording, with an Air Quality Index of 446 (that’s like smoking over 60 cigarettes a day). We explore what led to these hazardous conditions, how wildfires are affecting our communities and even reaching Europe, and why Canada’s air quality reporting system needs a 21st-century overhaul. Join The Clean Energy Show's CLEAN CLUB on for exciting perks! Our monthly bonus podcast is coming up this week! The Clean Energy Show received two sustainability awards from the Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE), a United Nations...
info_outline
Engineering Polar Sea Ice with Underwater Drones & Penguins
The Clean Energy Show
Penguin poop might be cooling the planet by seeding clouds over Antarctica! A new study shows how ammonia from penguin guano helps form reflective cloud cover. Meanwhile, a $10 billion geoengineering plan proposes to deploy 500,000 undersea drones to regrow Arctic sea ice. Can technology save the poles—and should it? Support our podcast on and get exciting perks! We also bust myths about EV fires after The Telegraph claims they’re on the rise. Plus, an Edmonton pilot project is using secret tech to stop EV charger cable theft—and it’s already working. Also in this...
info_outline
Ford Joins Tesla, Scientists Face Threats & Wind Turbines for Americans
The Clean Energy Show
This week on a special encore episode of The Clean Energy Show, Brian is recovering from surgery, and James wonders if he’s truly on the mend—or if it’s a Schrödinger’s host situation. Either way, they’ve queued up a listener-favorite episode for your enjoyment! Join The Clean Energy Show's CLEAN CLUB on for exciting perks! Get a monthly bonus podcast, early access to our content, behind the scenes content, access to our members-only Discord community and thank-yous in the credits of videos and shoutouts on our podcast! Starting at just a couple dollars per month! In...
info_outline
Small Modular Nuclear Comes to Canada; Plug 'n' Play Solar Comes to the U.S.
The Clean Energy Show
Canada approves its first Small Modular Reactor (SMR), but critics argue it’s a costly, high-risk distraction from cheaper, proven renewables. Ontario Clean Air Alliance explains the financial and security risks Plug-and-play solar is finally coming to the U.S., launching in Utah this summer with no permits or installers required. EcoFlow’s new modular solar kits, with similar kits already popular in Europe and China, they could revolutionize backyard and balcony power for American homeowners. Support The Clean Energy Show on for exciting perks! Also this week: Thames Water warns...
info_outline
Thorium Dreams, Landfill Solar & EVs That Just Keep Going
The Clean Energy Show
We dive into thorium nuclear reactors — a long-dormant technology with huge safety and environmental potential, now being revived by China. What are they, how do they work, and why aren’t we using them already? Join The Clean Energy Show's CLEAN CLUB on for exciting perks! Get our monthly bonus podcast and more! Meanwhile in Los Angeles, rebuilding after devastating wildfires has sparked controversy. The mayor rolled back an electric-only building mandate to speed up reconstruction — but a new report says building all-electric is faster and cheaper. We explore why gas-free...
info_outline
Electric Vehicle Range May Need to Equal Gas Cars
The Clean Energy Show
A massive blackout brought Spain and Portugal to a standstill this week, reminding us just how deeply modern life depends on electricity. The outage disrupted everything from subways and air traffic to ATMs and elevators, leading to scenes of chaos in Madrid and emergency water deliveries by tractor. We break down the moment-by-moment collapse of daily life—and what it tells us about resilience and infrastructure. See our for our social media posts and ways to support our work! In the UK, the Labour government is pushing forward with new overhead power lines, despite public opposition to...
info_outline
Pope Francis: The First Climate Pope
The Clean Energy Show
Pope Francis had become one of the most influential voices on the moral side of climate change. Back in 2015, he released an encyclical called Laudato Si', where he framed environmental issues not just as scientific or political problems, but as deep moral and spiritual ones. He emphasized that climate change affects everyone—but especially the poor and vulnerable who contribute the least to the problem yet suffer the most from its effects. At the end of the show, we look back. All links to items mentioned on our show can be found on our 🔋 CATL’s Battery Breakthrough China’s battery...
info_outline
Solar Saving Lives in Emerging Economies (Remixed)
The Clean Energy Show
In Sierra Leone, solar power is saving lives—literally. A neonatal intensive care unit that once faced constant blackouts is now powered by a solar microgrid with lithium-ion batteries. The result? A surge from 10 newborns a month in 2013 to 140 today, with hundreds of lives saved each year thanks to reliable, renewable power. (Sorry, we had to remix this episode twice! James does NOT have a brain tumor.) Watch Michael Liebreich's documentary from his Cleaning Up YouTube channel: A historic win for climate accountability: the UN's maritime agency has passed the first international emissions...
info_outline
Hydrogen Cruise Ship Sails Next Year; Delhi Bans Gas and Diesel
The Clean Energy Show
Texas offers billions to build gas power plants—but no one wants the cash. Developers say renewables are just too cheap. Meanwhile, Delhi cracks down on combustion cars, Viking unveils a zero-emission cruise ship, and salmon are swimming free thanks to dam removal. Join The Clean Energy Show's CLEAN CLUB on for exciting perks! Get a monthly bonus podcast, early access to our content, behind the scenes content, access to our members-only Discord community and thank-yous in the credits of videos and shoutouts on our podcast! You can support us for as little as one dollar per month...
info_outline
Lives Changed by a Solar Panel; USB-C for Ebikes
The Clean Energy Show
Welcome to episode 256 of The Clean Energy Show! This week, we explore the challenges of allowing Chinese EVs into Canada, the arrival of USB-C charging for electric bikes, and how small amounts of solar power are transforming lives in Africa. Plus, Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions are trending downward, and James Whittingham claims full credit. The Downside of Chinese EVs in Canada China is testing whether the prospect of big EV investments could sway Canada’s trade policies. The country’s ambassador to Canada has expressed concerns over restrictions that have hindered BYD’s...
info_outlineCanada’s unprecedented existential crisis caused by bizarre actions from the White House. It could be worse—we could be Greenland. Meanwhile, the long-awaited geothermal power plant near us is finally set to come online next year, initially providing 5MW of power—just enough to keep James’ heated socks toasty.
Join The Clean Energy Show's CLEAN CLUB on Patreon for exciting perks!
We also take a deep dive into an EV YouTuber’s trip to China and uncover just how far behind we are in EV technology. Spoiler: it’s bad, but still not as bad as Greenland. Plus, while Indian Railways celebrates 100 years of electrification, some North American officials are still convinced electric trains don’t exist.
Also on the show this week:
-
Turning fiber optics into smart sensors.
-
James rigs up his old electric car to defrost his windows.
-
And much more!
Canada’s Existential Crisis
The latest U.S. policies have thrown Canada into turmoil, with jobs disappearing and small businesses shutting down. The idea of Canada becoming the 51st state is floating around, but what would that mean? With an additional 343 seats in the U.S. House and 2 in the Senate, plus 345 electoral votes, Canada would fundamentally alter the political landscape—potentially preventing another Republican presidency. But would Americans ever accept us?
Geothermal Power Finally Coming Online
The long-awaited geothermal power plant near us will start producing electricity next year. Initially generating 5MW, this marks a significant step in clean energy for the region. Read more: Deep Earth Energy and SLB Canada partnership.
EV Tech in China is Light-Years Ahead
Kyle Connor from Out of Spec recently tested EVs in China, where battery swapping is a common practice due to the lack of home charging in massive apartment complexes.
Turning Fiber Optics into Smart Sensors
Researchers are developing technology that repurposes fiber optic cables to monitor and optimize the electrical grid. Read more: Electrek article.
Listener Mail
The Lightning Round!
-
China’s EV charging points surged by 49% to 12.8 million in 2024.
-
The UK now has 8GWh of operational battery energy storage, with nearly 20GWh under construction.
-
60 million AAA members in the U.S. and Canada can now get preferred pricing at ChargePoint stations.
-
Tesla’s sales are plummeting in California while the broader EV market continues to grow.
-
PV-powered EVs can extend their range by up to 30%, with real-world tests showing an additional 530 km of range.
-
Enhanced geothermal is expected to reach a levelized cost of $80/MWh by 2027, eliminating the need for coal and nuclear as baseload power sources.
Support the Show
If you enjoy The Clean Energy Show, consider supporting us on Patreon for exclusive content and ad-free episodes. Join our Clean Club community today: Patreon link.
That’s our show for this week! Email us at [email protected], follow us on social media @CleanEnergyPod, and don’t forget to rate and review us on your favorite podcast app. See you next week!