Direct Current - An Energy.gov Podcast
63 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 months ago - ★★★★★ - 107 ratingsDirect Current is a podcast about energy -- the kind that lights our homes, powers our lives and shapes our world. From the U.S. Department of Energy's digital team in Washington, D.C., Direct Current brings you fresh, insightful stories of how we generate and use electricity, what that means for the planet, and the cutting-edge science that's driving a global energy revolution.
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Episodes
SHORT CIRCUIT | How to Soak Up an Oil Spill
April 20, 2017 18:08 - 12 minutes - 13.2 MBIt's been seven years since the Deepwater Horizon disaster. Could a sponge developed by Argonne National Lab help stop the next big oil spill from becoming a catastrophe?
S2 E1: The Hype Trailer
April 13, 2017 19:28 - 3 minutes - 6.97 MBDirect Current returns next week! LISTEN TO OUR NEW TRAILER to get a little taste of what's in store for season 2. We also want to say a quick thank you to everyone who listened to the first season; we really appreciate your support and your enthusiasm.
Episode 10: The Exit Interview
January 17, 2017 05:01 - 24 minutes - 47.6 MBWith the current presidential administration coming to a close, we asked a very special guest to share some thoughts on his time here at the Energy Department. It’s our boss, nuclear physicist and Secretary of Energy, Dr. Ernest Moniz.
Episode 9: What Happened to Acid Rain?
January 05, 2017 22:18 - 23 minutes - 30.8 MBAcid rain was one of the biggest environmental problems of the 20th century. We investigate why it’s a thing of the past -- and what it can teach us for tackling climate change.
Episode 8: Ho-Ho-How Holiday Lights Work
December 01, 2016 20:15 - 5 minutes - 11.9 MBWhy do holiday lights burn out all the time? We find out the answer, and do it in rhyme.
Episode 7: From Water to Wattage
November 03, 2016 18:31 - 22 minutes - 32.4 MBHydropower is America's oldest and largest source of clean, renewable energy. But can it grow to meet our changing needs? Follow our hosts on a journey from hydropower's origins to the new wave of technologies that could shape its future.
Episode 6: Energy Ghostbusters
October 20, 2016 17:57 - 12 minutes - 24.1 MBSpooked by the goblins of energy inefficiency? In this episode, we talk with Josh Olsen, an “Energy Ghostbuster" from our Weatherization Program. Learn how to keep from being haunted by your energy bill and trick-or-treat yourself to energy savings.
Episode 5: The Future of Cool
September 14, 2016 14:12 - 29 minutes - 57.5 MBPaul and Simon lead the way to the future of cooling, where new technologies like magnet-based air conditioning and personalized robots will transform how we fight climate change, save on energy costs and stay comfortable.
Episode 4: Backronyms
August 10, 2016 17:44 - 21 minutes - 42.1 MBNot all acronyms are created equal. Join us on a journey into the colorful world of government "backronyms," where there's more to a name than just a jumble of letters.
Episode 3: Power To The People
July 11, 2016 22:41 - 19 minutes - 38.1 MBHow does power get to the people who use it? We explore that question and talk about the electric grid -- what it is, how it works, and what happens when the power goes out.
Episode 1.5: Direct Current Teaser
June 25, 2016 13:25 - 8.05 MBA word of thanks, and a sneak preview of what’s coming up on future episodes of Direct Current.
Episode 2: The Clean Energy Geek Squad
June 25, 2016 13:25 - 25 minutes - 36.2 MBWe call a "help desk" that provides clean energy policy assistance to governments worldwide, talk to Nicky Phear, who cycles across Montana teaching students about climate change, and propose a few new units of energy -- starting with a burrito.
Episode 1: Tackling the Hidden Costs of Rooftop Solar
May 03, 2016 15:23 - 24 minutes - 47.7 MBWe investigate the sneaky "soft costs" driving up the price of rooftop solar, delve into the archives for a look at the turbulent times around the Energy Department's creation, and contemplate some alternatives to the name "Direct Current."