Dec. 20, 2024

By Washington Gas President Blue Jenkins

If you regularly read my LinkedIn posts and articles—and thank you for that!—you might have noticed that energy and its place in our lives is always on my mind. To paraphrase a holiday quote so famous I know it without seeing the movie, “If you look for it, I’ve got a sneaky feeling energy, actually, is all around.”

For example, right here in my office is a Newton’s Cradle, and watching it move is a metaphor in motion. The laws that govern energy, from the quantum realm to utilities infrastructure, are all encapsulated in one elegant toy. Whether it is the goal of perfect conservation or the silent theft of friction, some of the most powerful principles in the Universe are in play on my desktop.

Consider the law of the Conservation of Momentum, which states that momentum inside a closed system stays constant unless an external force acts upon it. That’s why the motion of one ball transfers seamlessly through the others, moving the last ball with nearly the same momentum.

In everyday life, momentum ensures smooth energy flow, encompassing everything from natural gas pipelines to electric power grids. Thoughtful policies and partnerships across sectors help maintain progress and ensure we produce reliable supplies to meet growing global demand.

AI data centers illustrate this trend well, creating massive demand for their functions. In everyday terms, ChatGPT’s annual consumption is projected to reach 226.8 GWh per year, enough to fully charge about 95% of the electric vehicles currently in the United States. Natural gas helps maintain the momentum of our interconnected systems by providing consistent energy when other sources may fluctuate.

Simply stated, the Conservation of Energy principle tells us that energy is never created or destroyed but only changes in form. When you lift the first ball on Newton’s Cradle and let it drop, that force transforms from potential to kinetic energy and transfers efficiently to the next sphere.

Robust systems depend on conserving resources, and innovations like Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems are a great example of this principle. Using a single fuel source like natural gas, CHP generates electricity and thermal energy, maximizing utilization by up to 95%. This approach improves efficiency and reliability, keeping operations running even during unexpected interruptions.

When you think of steel, you may not think of Elasticity, but that is actually a key trait of Newton’s Cradle. An object returns to its original shape after being stretched or compressed, minimizing energy loss during sphere collision. No material can return 100% of its energy because some of it is lost over time as heat and sound.

Elasticity isn’t just a desk toy concept; it's something we see daily within our utility systems. One instance is when natural gas is readily available during demand surges, helping power critical facilities like hospitals. Adaptive technologies can help make our energy systems more resilient and respond dynamically to evolving needs.

If I have a favorite energy principle, it’s probably Synergy: the combined effect that makes a whole system greater than the sum of its parts. In the case of Newton’s Cradle, each ball depends on all the others to keep the motion going.

Synergy is at the core of modern energy systems, which perform best when diverse sources—natural gas, electricity, wind, solar, and other emerging technologies—work together. A strong, interconnected approach supports safety and affordability, especially as global demands spike. This principle also lies at the heart of assistance programs to help those experiencing utility energy insecurity, especially within underserved communities.

While synergy shows us what is possible when everything aligns, friction reminds us of challenges that can disrupt progress. Newton’s Cradle would swing and sway forever in a world of perfect conservation. In reality, resistance at critical pivot points and during sphere collisions gradually slows and stops forward motion.

Friction shows up differently across our utility systems: inefficiencies, outdated infrastructure, regulatory hurdles, competing priorities, and occasional misinformation. While different perspectives are positive and lead to greater strength, misaligned resistance can waste valuable time and resources, create needless tension, and slow progress.

But there is good news here. As president of Washington Gas, I see firsthand how my colleagues across all industries work together to unlock the full potential of industry-wide synergy. We know perfection doesn’t exist, but it’s within our power to resolve issues together and keep innovation moving forward.

This matters tremendously because energy isn’t a one-size-fits-all proposition. Empowering families and businesses with robust choices is the right thing to do and the smart path forward to help build resilient communities.

Universal energy fundamentals connect us all, from powering our individual homes to meeting massive global demand. That principle of scale is why all Newton’s Cradles function the same, from gigantic editions with 250-pound spheres to their quantum cousins. Whether it’s invisible electrons, metallic spheres, or sprawling energy systems, synergy, momentum, and efficiency are always at work around us.

I’m excited for 2025 and ready to participate in collaborative, real-world principles in action. They remind me of what matters most: making sure that energy flows smoothly and reliably to power the lives of the communities we serve.

Like the red ribbon on my team’s gift, this post wraps up 2024 with a bow. Wishing all of you a Happy New Year!

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