Seaver Wang
@wang-seaver.bsky.social
Director, Climate and Energy at the Breakthrough Institute. 王思維. He/him. Oceanographer turned solution seeker. Ecomodernism is the way. PhD in Earth and Ocean Sciences.
Crystalline silicon solar doesn't use cadmium. None. Zero. This myth arose from confusion over different solar techs 15 yrs ago but won't die.
Electric connex in panels may use some lead-tin solder, but one should worry more about lead/solder/brass fittings in home/local water pipes. And paint.
Electric connex in panels may use some lead-tin solder, but one should worry more about lead/solder/brass fittings in home/local water pipes. And paint.
November 18, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Crystalline silicon solar doesn't use cadmium. None. Zero. This myth arose from confusion over different solar techs 15 yrs ago but won't die.
Electric connex in panels may use some lead-tin solder, but one should worry more about lead/solder/brass fittings in home/local water pipes. And paint.
Electric connex in panels may use some lead-tin solder, but one should worry more about lead/solder/brass fittings in home/local water pipes. And paint.
I don't suppose anyone is aware of a database or resource that records the brand and model of solar PV modules used in specific big utility-scale solar installations?
I expect no global database exists, but curious if there is one for the EU, US, other countries, or states.
I expect no global database exists, but curious if there is one for the EU, US, other countries, or states.
November 17, 2025 at 5:44 PM
I don't suppose anyone is aware of a database or resource that records the brand and model of solar PV modules used in specific big utility-scale solar installations?
I expect no global database exists, but curious if there is one for the EU, US, other countries, or states.
I expect no global database exists, but curious if there is one for the EU, US, other countries, or states.
This installation is located on this part of the river. (Google Earth imagery is from 2023 so it doesn’t show the floating solar yet, but that itself is testament to how quickly the facility was completed—construction began in 2024).
36°32'53"N 128°54'30"E
36°32'53"N 128°54'30"E
November 17, 2025 at 1:11 AM
This installation is located on this part of the river. (Google Earth imagery is from 2023 so it doesn’t show the floating solar yet, but that itself is testament to how quickly the facility was completed—construction began in 2024).
36°32'53"N 128°54'30"E
36°32'53"N 128°54'30"E
Korea is flexing here with this highly artistic floating solar farm, newly commissioned days ago.
47.2 MW of capacity located near the 50 MW Imha hydroelectric dam. The modules are arranged into the shape of Korea’s flag and the Mugunghwa, Korea’s national flower.
47.2 MW of capacity located near the 50 MW Imha hydroelectric dam. The modules are arranged into the shape of Korea’s flag and the Mugunghwa, Korea’s national flower.
November 17, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Korea is flexing here with this highly artistic floating solar farm, newly commissioned days ago.
47.2 MW of capacity located near the 50 MW Imha hydroelectric dam. The modules are arranged into the shape of Korea’s flag and the Mugunghwa, Korea’s national flower.
47.2 MW of capacity located near the 50 MW Imha hydroelectric dam. The modules are arranged into the shape of Korea’s flag and the Mugunghwa, Korea’s national flower.
Chatting with many international peers in recent months (Taiwan/JPN/Indonesia/range of EU) and many feel geothermal is desirable as an idea but see their domestic potential as limited to a few 100s of MW/maybe a GW...
Geothermal may have to challenge those conceptions to grow globally?
Geothermal may have to challenge those conceptions to grow globally?
November 16, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Chatting with many international peers in recent months (Taiwan/JPN/Indonesia/range of EU) and many feel geothermal is desirable as an idea but see their domestic potential as limited to a few 100s of MW/maybe a GW...
Geothermal may have to challenge those conceptions to grow globally?
Geothermal may have to challenge those conceptions to grow globally?
A fair number of Americans now in their 30s and working in clean energy and sustainability can trace their journey back to the @350.org movement at some point. Perhaps the pipeline that mattered most was the talent pipeline, after all.
November 15, 2025 at 5:54 PM
A fair number of Americans now in their 30s and working in clean energy and sustainability can trace their journey back to the @350.org movement at some point. Perhaps the pipeline that mattered most was the talent pipeline, after all.
We happen to have some satellite images for office decor (not my idea actually!)
We have one of the Mt Whaleback iron ore mine in the Pilbara, Western AUS. Largest single surface iron mine globally, part of 3rd largest iron ore complex by output.
Note 2km scale.
-23.36 119.66
We have one of the Mt Whaleback iron ore mine in the Pilbara, Western AUS. Largest single surface iron mine globally, part of 3rd largest iron ore complex by output.
Note 2km scale.
-23.36 119.66
November 13, 2025 at 12:17 PM
We happen to have some satellite images for office decor (not my idea actually!)
We have one of the Mt Whaleback iron ore mine in the Pilbara, Western AUS. Largest single surface iron mine globally, part of 3rd largest iron ore complex by output.
Note 2km scale.
-23.36 119.66
We have one of the Mt Whaleback iron ore mine in the Pilbara, Western AUS. Largest single surface iron mine globally, part of 3rd largest iron ore complex by output.
Note 2km scale.
-23.36 119.66
It is also notable that combusting all life on Earth's surface = the same CO2 ppm as the unrealistic-worst-case-not-happening RCP8.5 scenario where humanity burns most known coal reserves: ~900ppm in 2100, with room to climb more. This does speak to the volume of coal out there.
November 11, 2025 at 2:51 PM
It is also notable that combusting all life on Earth's surface = the same CO2 ppm as the unrealistic-worst-case-not-happening RCP8.5 scenario where humanity burns most known coal reserves: ~900ppm in 2100, with room to climb more. This does speak to the volume of coal out there.
All of this makes for a fascinating case of how quickly large industrial facilities can rise + fall in China. Outside of China new smelter projects are typically depreciated over 30 yrs and cost 4x higher CAPEX, so building something + demolishing it in 3 yrs is just wild. (END)
November 8, 2025 at 9:17 PM
All of this makes for a fascinating case of how quickly large industrial facilities can rise + fall in China. Outside of China new smelter projects are typically depreciated over 30 yrs and cost 4x higher CAPEX, so building something + demolishing it in 3 yrs is just wild. (END)
Weiqiao owns nearly all the coal units in this industrial part of Zouping, plus 2.6GW of coal capacity just offscreen east, so such coal unit/policy reshufflings have constrained their local power supply, likely informing the decision to shut down phase 1 and look to Yunnan.
November 8, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Weiqiao owns nearly all the coal units in this industrial part of Zouping, plus 2.6GW of coal capacity just offscreen east, so such coal unit/policy reshufflings have constrained their local power supply, likely informing the decision to shut down phase 1 and look to Yunnan.
Some new local captive coal construction was also halted, with a large plant of 8x660 MW ultra-supercritical coal units only seemingly having gotten permission to complete/operate 6 units, leaving two unfinished.
Note more decommissioned subcritical units at bottom left.
Note more decommissioned subcritical units at bottom left.
November 8, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Some new local captive coal construction was also halted, with a large plant of 8x660 MW ultra-supercritical coal units only seemingly having gotten permission to complete/operate 6 units, leaving two unfinished.
Note more decommissioned subcritical units at bottom left.
Note more decommissioned subcritical units at bottom left.
Other context is that tightening regulations on coal plants have put some pressure on older, less efficient units to close, like these captive units at Weiqiao's co-located alumina refinery (converts bauxite to alumina, the preceding step to aluminum smelting).
November 8, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Other context is that tightening regulations on coal plants have put some pressure on older, less efficient units to close, like these captive units at Weiqiao's co-located alumina refinery (converts bauxite to alumina, the preceding step to aluminum smelting).
Interestingly, the facility above that Weiqiao chose to decommission was actually phase 1 of two phases built, and the second phase of 6 potlines of about 1 million tons/yr capacity seems to have continued to operate since.
(All of this can be found at 36.895, 117.813)
(All of this can be found at 36.895, 117.813)
November 8, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Interestingly, the facility above that Weiqiao chose to decommission was actually phase 1 of two phases built, and the second phase of 6 potlines of about 1 million tons/yr capacity seems to have continued to operate since.
(All of this can be found at 36.895, 117.813)
(All of this can be found at 36.895, 117.813)
Remarkable how cavalier China's industrial ecosystem can be with large capital projects.
Weiqiao starts building a 470,000 tons/yr aluminum smelter in Binzhou, Shandong in 2014
It's built by Feb 2017
By 2020 it's being torn down
2024: a totally new workshop is using the site 🧵
Weiqiao starts building a 470,000 tons/yr aluminum smelter in Binzhou, Shandong in 2014
It's built by Feb 2017
By 2020 it's being torn down
2024: a totally new workshop is using the site 🧵
November 8, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Remarkable how cavalier China's industrial ecosystem can be with large capital projects.
Weiqiao starts building a 470,000 tons/yr aluminum smelter in Binzhou, Shandong in 2014
It's built by Feb 2017
By 2020 it's being torn down
2024: a totally new workshop is using the site 🧵
Weiqiao starts building a 470,000 tons/yr aluminum smelter in Binzhou, Shandong in 2014
It's built by Feb 2017
By 2020 it's being torn down
2024: a totally new workshop is using the site 🧵
Countries with unique supply chain and nuclear energy policy circumstances will particularly benefit from greater flexibility to internally move, repackage, reprocess, or alter nuclear materials with appropriate safeguards and oversight.
November 6, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Countries with unique supply chain and nuclear energy policy circumstances will particularly benefit from greater flexibility to internally move, repackage, reprocess, or alter nuclear materials with appropriate safeguards and oversight.
- Coordinate uranium supply chain efforts with allies (maintain and strengthen Russian uranium bans, cooperate on uranium exploration and enrichment, minimize trade barriers between allies)
November 6, 2025 at 2:49 PM
- Coordinate uranium supply chain efforts with allies (maintain and strengthen Russian uranium bans, cooperate on uranium exploration and enrichment, minimize trade barriers between allies)
How do we get enough US enrichment? Our suggestions fall in a few buckets:
- Send firm market signals + prioritize commercial-scale enrichment (HALEU bank, federal power procurement from new nuclear, funnel grants to large-scale projects)
- Send firm market signals + prioritize commercial-scale enrichment (HALEU bank, federal power procurement from new nuclear, funnel grants to large-scale projects)
November 6, 2025 at 2:49 PM
How do we get enough US enrichment? Our suggestions fall in a few buckets:
- Send firm market signals + prioritize commercial-scale enrichment (HALEU bank, federal power procurement from new nuclear, funnel grants to large-scale projects)
- Send firm market signals + prioritize commercial-scale enrichment (HALEU bank, federal power procurement from new nuclear, funnel grants to large-scale projects)
In particular, the higher enrichment level of HALEU fuel needed for advanced reactors correspondingly increases future enrichment needs for US scenarios that consider a higher share of advanced nuclear deployment.
November 6, 2025 at 2:49 PM
In particular, the higher enrichment level of HALEU fuel needed for advanced reactors correspondingly increases future enrichment needs for US scenarios that consider a higher share of advanced nuclear deployment.
The current global supply vs future demand gap looks smaller but poses similar big barriers for countries aiming to avoid dependence on Russian enrichment.
Proud of this major work by our analyst alumna Juzel Lloyd alongside @astein.bsky.social @cookpj.bsky.social Matthew Wald + myself.
Proud of this major work by our analyst alumna Juzel Lloyd alongside @astein.bsky.social @cookpj.bsky.social Matthew Wald + myself.
November 6, 2025 at 2:49 PM
The current global supply vs future demand gap looks smaller but poses similar big barriers for countries aiming to avoid dependence on Russian enrichment.
Proud of this major work by our analyst alumna Juzel Lloyd alongside @astein.bsky.social @cookpj.bsky.social Matthew Wald + myself.
Proud of this major work by our analyst alumna Juzel Lloyd alongside @astein.bsky.social @cookpj.bsky.social Matthew Wald + myself.
Another sprinkling of grants for pilot-scale enrichment won’t cut it. A serious US nuclear buildout demands real commercial-scale capacity. 250 to 490 GW of nuclear by 2050 needs 31 to 97 million separative work units annually.
November 6, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Another sprinkling of grants for pilot-scale enrichment won’t cut it. A serious US nuclear buildout demands real commercial-scale capacity. 250 to 490 GW of nuclear by 2050 needs 31 to 97 million separative work units annually.
No reason a society shouldn’t have both! And I worry that we risk ending up with neither… but at the end of the day if you could only pick one, some things are worth more than 50,000 km of high-speed railway.
November 4, 2025 at 10:38 PM
No reason a society shouldn’t have both! And I worry that we risk ending up with neither… but at the end of the day if you could only pick one, some things are worth more than 50,000 km of high-speed railway.
(This strategy hasn't helped Japan scale transmission, but then again load there is declining. Anyways, was watching Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun with the gf last night + couldn't help but notice episode 1 featured quite a lot of high-voltage lines!)
My Neighbor Totoro approves:
My Neighbor Totoro approves:
November 2, 2025 at 10:19 PM
(This strategy hasn't helped Japan scale transmission, but then again load there is declining. Anyways, was watching Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun with the gf last night + couldn't help but notice episode 1 featured quite a lot of high-voltage lines!)
My Neighbor Totoro approves:
My Neighbor Totoro approves:
Grand plan to end opposition to transmission projects:
Romanticize the heck out of transmission. Loving shots of transmission in backdrop/enviro shots of every movie, TV show + commercial until people subliminally get warm fuzzy feelings every time they see high-voltage pylons.
Romanticize the heck out of transmission. Loving shots of transmission in backdrop/enviro shots of every movie, TV show + commercial until people subliminally get warm fuzzy feelings every time they see high-voltage pylons.
November 2, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Grand plan to end opposition to transmission projects:
Romanticize the heck out of transmission. Loving shots of transmission in backdrop/enviro shots of every movie, TV show + commercial until people subliminally get warm fuzzy feelings every time they see high-voltage pylons.
Romanticize the heck out of transmission. Loving shots of transmission in backdrop/enviro shots of every movie, TV show + commercial until people subliminally get warm fuzzy feelings every time they see high-voltage pylons.
Second, we must better address how China’s industrial system + policies make decarbonization harder in key sectors. For industries like steel, magnesium, polysilicon, or PVC, cheap carbon-intensive Chinese industry impedes the business case for pursuing greener approaches.
October 31, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Second, we must better address how China’s industrial system + policies make decarbonization harder in key sectors. For industries like steel, magnesium, polysilicon, or PVC, cheap carbon-intensive Chinese industry impedes the business case for pursuing greener approaches.
By a utilitarian, climate-first standard, there are no climate leaders and arguably China is holding back from pursuing an energy transition as fast as it perhaps could. Many major industries concentrated in China offer as many obstacles to global decarbonization as China offers solutions elsewhere.
October 31, 2025 at 3:51 PM
By a utilitarian, climate-first standard, there are no climate leaders and arguably China is holding back from pursuing an energy transition as fast as it perhaps could. Many major industries concentrated in China offer as many obstacles to global decarbonization as China offers solutions elsewhere.