"**Replacing candles** (the chemical energy of wax transformed into radiant energy) **with** **electric lights powered by electricity generated by steam turbines** (the chemical energy of fuels transformed first into heat and then into electric energy, which is then transformed into radiant energy) resulted in many obvious benefits (a safer, brighter, cheaper, more reliable kind of energy). "**Replacing steam- and diesel-powered railroad engines with electric drive** has allowed less expensive, cleaner, and faster transportation: all sleek, high-speed trains are electric. "**But many desirable substitutions remain more expensive, or possible but realistically unaffordable for some time to come, or impossible at required scales—no matter how loudly their promoters extol their virtues**." ([Location 610](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08SGC3TD3&location=610)) --- **Tags** -- [[quotes]], [[energy-conversion]], [[energy-efficiency]], [[systems-thinking]], [[physics]], [[chemistry]], **Source** -- [[202412030828 - B - How the World Really Works]]