Vikas Mehta
@vikmet.bsky.social
Displaced Indian, working on misplaced energy choices. Talk climate, energy, politics and cricket. ED@ SED.fund daytime. Dad+dog dad all the time. Whatever I say, is my own, not my org’s.
Saw this fun bit in the post by @volts.wtf www.volts.wtf/p/volts-5-ye...
“@David, any guesses which non English-speaking country ranks inside the top 5?
The answer is the largest country by population, India, with 3 percent of all subscribers.”
Maybe time to do a pod with @sandeeppai.bsky.social!
“@David, any guesses which non English-speaking country ranks inside the top 5?
The answer is the largest country by population, India, with 3 percent of all subscribers.”
Maybe time to do a pod with @sandeeppai.bsky.social!
Volts 5 year anniversary! + community thread #25
Open to all free & paid subscribers.
www.volts.wtf
December 29, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Saw this fun bit in the post by @volts.wtf www.volts.wtf/p/volts-5-ye...
“@David, any guesses which non English-speaking country ranks inside the top 5?
The answer is the largest country by population, India, with 3 percent of all subscribers.”
Maybe time to do a pod with @sandeeppai.bsky.social!
“@David, any guesses which non English-speaking country ranks inside the top 5?
The answer is the largest country by population, India, with 3 percent of all subscribers.”
Maybe time to do a pod with @sandeeppai.bsky.social!
Reposted by Vikas Mehta
December 27, 2025 at 6:06 AM
Reposted by Vikas Mehta
Some thoughts on bio-hacking in Frankenstein… and Silicon Valley. open.substack.com/pub/danieldr...
On Monsters, Men, and Time Horizons
Psst... wanna read something about oligarchic sovereignty?!
open.substack.com
December 26, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Some thoughts on bio-hacking in Frankenstein… and Silicon Valley. open.substack.com/pub/danieldr...
Reposted by Vikas Mehta
This Yglesias piece in the NYT is horrifically bad. Almost every "fact" it cites is provably false. At best it is cocktail party banter from a pundit who knows nothing of energy. At worst, it was cut/paste from oil industry talking points. So, a rebuttal: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/18/o...
Opinion | Obama Supported It. The Left in Canada and Norway Does. Why Don’t Democrats?
www.nytimes.com
December 20, 2025 at 2:57 PM
This Yglesias piece in the NYT is horrifically bad. Almost every "fact" it cites is provably false. At best it is cocktail party banter from a pundit who knows nothing of energy. At worst, it was cut/paste from oil industry talking points. So, a rebuttal: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/18/o...
While we’re at it, let’s also bring back horse carts and cook on open fires.
U.S. plans to stop recommending most childhood vaccines, defer to doctors www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
U.S. plans to stop recommending most childhood vaccines, defer to doctors
The plan, which is not finalized, suggests children get fewer shots and shifts to a model telling parents to consult doctors to make their own vaccine choices.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 20, 2025 at 6:23 AM
While we’re at it, let’s also bring back horse carts and cook on open fires.
Reposted by Vikas Mehta
NEW: How cheap are grid batteries?🔋🔋🔋
Grid batteries are now only c.$125/KWh connected🤯
This assessment is based on a series of expert interviews and storage auction results as of October 2025. 🧵
Grid batteries are now only c.$125/KWh connected🤯
This assessment is based on a series of expert interviews and storage auction results as of October 2025. 🧵
December 12, 2025 at 1:31 PM
NEW: How cheap are grid batteries?🔋🔋🔋
Grid batteries are now only c.$125/KWh connected🤯
This assessment is based on a series of expert interviews and storage auction results as of October 2025. 🧵
Grid batteries are now only c.$125/KWh connected🤯
This assessment is based on a series of expert interviews and storage auction results as of October 2025. 🧵
Reposted by Vikas Mehta
NEW | As batteries become cheaper and more efficient, costs to store daytime solar are plummeting.
Outside China and the US, it now only costs an additional $33/MWh to transform daytime solar into dispatchable nighttime energy 🔋
https://loom.ly/Hbc2VpU
Outside China and the US, it now only costs an additional $33/MWh to transform daytime solar into dispatchable nighttime energy 🔋
https://loom.ly/Hbc2VpU
December 11, 2025 at 8:01 AM
NEW | As batteries become cheaper and more efficient, costs to store daytime solar are plummeting.
Outside China and the US, it now only costs an additional $33/MWh to transform daytime solar into dispatchable nighttime energy 🔋
https://loom.ly/Hbc2VpU
Outside China and the US, it now only costs an additional $33/MWh to transform daytime solar into dispatchable nighttime energy 🔋
https://loom.ly/Hbc2VpU
Reposted by Vikas Mehta
It's crazy that the US has the nearly the same rate of road traffic deaths per 100,000 people as India, Brazil and China. It does worse than Indonesia and Mexico. Wow!
Neat stuff from @ashendruk.com's excellent new newsletter www.not-ship.com/huh-apparent...
Neat stuff from @ashendruk.com's excellent new newsletter www.not-ship.com/huh-apparent...
December 10, 2025 at 5:44 PM
It's crazy that the US has the nearly the same rate of road traffic deaths per 100,000 people as India, Brazil and China. It does worse than Indonesia and Mexico. Wow!
Neat stuff from @ashendruk.com's excellent new newsletter www.not-ship.com/huh-apparent...
Neat stuff from @ashendruk.com's excellent new newsletter www.not-ship.com/huh-apparent...
Reposted by Vikas Mehta
A rapid transition to EVs yields a number of benefits. A recent @energyinnovation.org report found that slowed EV adoption will make Americans sicker and poorer.
Whoever best takes advantage of this immense transition could become the next global economic superpower. China is leading the pack [8/8]
Whoever best takes advantage of this immense transition could become the next global economic superpower. China is leading the pack [8/8]
The rest of the world is lapping the U.S. in the EV race » Yale Climate Connections
EVs made up 25% of global car sales in 2025. In the U.S., they only made up 10%.
yaleclimateconnections.org
December 9, 2025 at 5:59 PM
A rapid transition to EVs yields a number of benefits. A recent @energyinnovation.org report found that slowed EV adoption will make Americans sicker and poorer.
Whoever best takes advantage of this immense transition could become the next global economic superpower. China is leading the pack [8/8]
Whoever best takes advantage of this immense transition could become the next global economic superpower. China is leading the pack [8/8]
Reposted by Vikas Mehta
December 9, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Movie you’ve watched more than six times with a gif. Hard mode: no Stars (Wars nor Trek), LOTR, or Marvel, Disney Animated or Pixar.
December 8, 2025 at 3:55 AM
Movie you’ve watched more than six times with a gif. Hard mode: no Stars (Wars nor Trek), LOTR, or Marvel, Disney Animated or Pixar.
Reposted by Vikas Mehta
If anyone cares at all, EV battery recycling is now hitting 99% recovery for important metals
Please remind me again what the recycle rate for fossil fuels is
interestingengineering.com/energy/recyc...
Please remind me again what the recycle rate for fossil fuels is
interestingengineering.com/energy/recyc...
New recycling tech recovers nearly pure nickel and cobalt from old EV batteries
Researchers have developed an eco-friendly recycling tech that extracts 99 percent pure nickel and cobalt from waste batteries.
interestingengineering.com
December 5, 2025 at 12:17 AM
If anyone cares at all, EV battery recycling is now hitting 99% recovery for important metals
Please remind me again what the recycle rate for fossil fuels is
interestingengineering.com/energy/recyc...
Please remind me again what the recycle rate for fossil fuels is
interestingengineering.com/energy/recyc...
Reposted by Vikas Mehta
Our annual deep dive on China’s climate transition is out! China’s CO₂ emissions are set to remain flat for a second year in 2025. Record additions of solar and wind, accelerating electrification, and declining construction-material demand are the main drivers.
December 4, 2025 at 6:43 AM
Our annual deep dive on China’s climate transition is out! China’s CO₂ emissions are set to remain flat for a second year in 2025. Record additions of solar and wind, accelerating electrification, and declining construction-material demand are the main drivers.
So much this. I can say from personal experience www.espncricinfo.com/story/greg-c...
Rip me up and start again: cricket's most thrilling art is also the most self-destructive
Cricketers who bowl at high pace will break, sooner or later. That is, and has always been, a given
www.espncricinfo.com
December 2, 2025 at 6:18 PM
So much this. I can say from personal experience www.espncricinfo.com/story/greg-c...
Reposted by Vikas Mehta
You know all about the Chinese solar boom but you haven't seen anything yet
Here comes the battery boom, and it is going to be big 🤯
Here comes the battery boom, and it is going to be big 🤯
December 2, 2025 at 2:37 PM
You know all about the Chinese solar boom but you haven't seen anything yet
Here comes the battery boom, and it is going to be big 🤯
Here comes the battery boom, and it is going to be big 🤯
Reposted by Vikas Mehta
Today on Volts: a solo pod! This is just me talking, pulling together the strands -- the bits and pieces I've covered on pods over the last few years -- into a coherent narrative. Data centers, utilities, rising demand, politics ... this is, in my words, what's going on in energy world right now.
What's going on in electricity world?
Some thoughts on where we are in the electricity sector -- data centers, rising rates, etc. -- and a way forward that can benefit everyone.
www.volts.wtf
November 28, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Today on Volts: a solo pod! This is just me talking, pulling together the strands -- the bits and pieces I've covered on pods over the last few years -- into a coherent narrative. Data centers, utilities, rising demand, politics ... this is, in my words, what's going on in energy world right now.
Reposted by Vikas Mehta
Did you wake up the day before Thanksgiving and think "you know, my working hours aren't complete without a thorough explainer on the weirdest electrical load day of the year in the US?"
Well then, I've got you covered!
Happy reading from me and @halcyonai.bsky.social hubs.la/Q03VT-v20
Well then, I've got you covered!
Happy reading from me and @halcyonai.bsky.social hubs.la/Q03VT-v20
November 26, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Did you wake up the day before Thanksgiving and think "you know, my working hours aren't complete without a thorough explainer on the weirdest electrical load day of the year in the US?"
Well then, I've got you covered!
Happy reading from me and @halcyonai.bsky.social hubs.la/Q03VT-v20
Well then, I've got you covered!
Happy reading from me and @halcyonai.bsky.social hubs.la/Q03VT-v20
Reposted by Vikas Mehta
A tremendous own goal for the US to be breaking up offices in the Department of Energy that had bipartisan support and that stood to help the US compete in industries of the future.
@bradplumer.bsky.social has the RIP for MESC, OCED, and LPO.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/c...
@bradplumer.bsky.social has the RIP for MESC, OCED, and LPO.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/c...
A Trump Overhaul of the Energy Dept. Breaks Up Clean Energy Offices
www.nytimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:54 PM
A tremendous own goal for the US to be breaking up offices in the Department of Energy that had bipartisan support and that stood to help the US compete in industries of the future.
@bradplumer.bsky.social has the RIP for MESC, OCED, and LPO.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/c...
@bradplumer.bsky.social has the RIP for MESC, OCED, and LPO.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/c...
“The kWh is the new economic base layer. Petro-dollar is dead. Long live the electro-dollar.”
electrek.co/2025/11/21/e...
electrek.co/2025/11/21/e...
Electricity is about to become the new base currency and China figured it out
As we accelerate into an all-electric, all-digital age, the ultimate representation of productive capacity becomes the kilowatt-hour (kWh).
electrek.co
November 24, 2025 at 12:42 PM
“The kWh is the new economic base layer. Petro-dollar is dead. Long live the electro-dollar.”
electrek.co/2025/11/21/e...
electrek.co/2025/11/21/e...
Reposted by Vikas Mehta
"The cost of running coal plants rose 28 percent from 2021 to 2024, nearly double the rate of inflation over that time, forcing consumers to pay $6 billion in unnecessary energy bills," writes @energyinnovation.org's @silviomarcacci.bsky.social: thepowerline.substack.com/p/coals-not-... 🔌💡
Coal’s Not Coming Back
19th century technology can’t compete economically with 21st century clean energy
thepowerline.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:56 AM
"The cost of running coal plants rose 28 percent from 2021 to 2024, nearly double the rate of inflation over that time, forcing consumers to pay $6 billion in unnecessary energy bills," writes @energyinnovation.org's @silviomarcacci.bsky.social: thepowerline.substack.com/p/coals-not-... 🔌💡
Reposted by Vikas Mehta
What will the next generation say about COPs of the 2020s?
Bloomberg Green's final dispatch from COP30 concludes: “How can a small island state force the EU to do anything? Multilateralism is the only way to give voice to those with less geopolitical power.”
🎁🔗 www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
Bloomberg Green's final dispatch from COP30 concludes: “How can a small island state force the EU to do anything? Multilateralism is the only way to give voice to those with less geopolitical power.”
🎁🔗 www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
A Decade After Paris, Climate Diplomacy Is About Saving Itself
The outcome of the COP30 summit in Brazil kept multilateralism alive while barely pushing forward the promise of combatting global warming.
www.bloomberg.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:55 AM
What will the next generation say about COPs of the 2020s?
Bloomberg Green's final dispatch from COP30 concludes: “How can a small island state force the EU to do anything? Multilateralism is the only way to give voice to those with less geopolitical power.”
🎁🔗 www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
Bloomberg Green's final dispatch from COP30 concludes: “How can a small island state force the EU to do anything? Multilateralism is the only way to give voice to those with less geopolitical power.”
🎁🔗 www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
Reposted by Vikas Mehta
Today on Volts: the subset of cleantech known as "electrotech" -- solar, batteries, heat pumps, etc. -- is marching toward inevitable victory, not because it's low-emissions (though it is), but because it's more efficient & cheaper. I discuss the good news with @kingsmillbond.bsky.social.
Clean electrification is inevitable
Kingsmill Bond explains why the global march of "electrotech" has moved beyond the reach of US political interference.
www.volts.wtf
November 21, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Today on Volts: the subset of cleantech known as "electrotech" -- solar, batteries, heat pumps, etc. -- is marching toward inevitable victory, not because it's low-emissions (though it is), but because it's more efficient & cheaper. I discuss the good news with @kingsmillbond.bsky.social.
Reposted by Vikas Mehta
The cure for FOMO is...time.
"Stick around and watch" is almost always good advice.
www.downtownjoshbrown.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Reposted by Vikas Mehta
Coal mines emitted ~40mn tonnes of #methane every year, EXCEEDING the global gas sector according to @iea.org
Tackling CMM is one of the fastest and cheapest ways to slow global heating 🌡️⏳
Yet, CMM emissions could be much more than we think, urgently needing better reporting 📝🚨
Tackling CMM is one of the fastest and cheapest ways to slow global heating 🌡️⏳
Yet, CMM emissions could be much more than we think, urgently needing better reporting 📝🚨
November 16, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Reposted by Vikas Mehta
Clean Energy accounted for all electricity growth this year. Gas/Coal were basically a wash and will be for years to come for electricity generation.
We need to ramp up batteries because they are 90% cheaper than distribution grid upgrades which is the main reason we have rate increases.
We need to ramp up batteries because they are 90% cheaper than distribution grid upgrades which is the main reason we have rate increases.
November 14, 2025 at 4:06 AM
Clean Energy accounted for all electricity growth this year. Gas/Coal were basically a wash and will be for years to come for electricity generation.
We need to ramp up batteries because they are 90% cheaper than distribution grid upgrades which is the main reason we have rate increases.
We need to ramp up batteries because they are 90% cheaper than distribution grid upgrades which is the main reason we have rate increases.