Today's Energy Pulse
Scania pilots vehicle‑to‑grid power for heavy‑duty electric trucks
Scania showcased one of the first V2G systems for heavy‑duty electric trucks using the Megawatt Charging System (MCS). The pilot demonstrated bi‑directional power flow, letting trucks feed stored electricity back to the grid while parked, with real‑time communication enabling dynamic charging and discharging. The company also opened orders for trucks equipped with an extra battery pack and MCS.
Also developing:
Ammonia Gains Momentum Across East Asia
The maritime sector’s push for zero‑carbon fuels accelerated this week with two landmark developments in East Asia. ClassNK issued the world’s first Approval in Principle for an ammonia‑powered Panamax bulk carrier, featuring an IMO Type B independent fuel tank on deck—a departure from the traditional Type C design. In South Korea, Lotte Fine Chemical successfully commercialised green ammonia as a ship fuel, powering an HD Hyundai vessel that ran entirely on ammonia without any oil. These milestones signal rapid progress toward large‑scale ammonia adoption in shipping.
Danish Pelagic Fleet Showing Increased Interest in Greener Gear as Fuel Crisis Lingers On
The Danish Pelagic Producers Organization (DPPO) reaffirmed its 2040 net‑zero target as fuel prices soar amid the Iran war, making green technologies financially attractive. CEO Esben Sverdrup‑Jensen noted that the cost parity between on‑board electricity generation and traditional port power...
Chart Alert: WTI Crude Oil at Risk of Mean Reversion Decline Below $102.2...
WTI crude oil rallied 5% on an unverified report of an attack in Tehran, but the surge quickly reversed once the incident was confirmed as a drill. The spike pushed futures to $97.22 before settling around $94.27, highlighting how headline‑driven...
AV Charging Infrastructure: How Terawatt Is Building the Physical Layer Autonomous Fleets Need
In this episode of Autonomy Insiders, host Daniel talks with Peter Cohen, General Manager for AV and rideshare at Terawatt Infrastructure, about the often‑overlooked challenge of charging infrastructure for autonomous vehicle fleets. Terawatt builds, finances, and operates high‑power charging hubs—typically...
Petrol & Diesel Prices May Surge ₹25–28 per Litre After April 29 Polls: Kotak
Kotak Institutional Equities warns that India’s retail petrol and diesel prices could jump ₹25‑28 per litre (about $0.30‑$0.34) after the April 29 elections. The brokerage says refiners are shouldering an extra ₹270 billion ($3.3 billion) a month as global crude prices climb and...
Will Surging US Exports Drain Domestic Petroleum Product Inventories?
U.S. petroleum product exports have accelerated sharply, prompting analysts to question whether domestic inventories can sustain the outflow. Data from the Energy Information Administration show a 15% year‑over‑year increase in exports during Q1 2026, while the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR)...
Rocklink India Opens Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Plant in Uttar Pradesh
Rocklink India has inaugurated a lithium‑ion battery recycling plant in Sikandrabad, Uttar Pradesh, capable of processing 10,000 tonnes of battery feedstock annually and producing up to 6,000 tonnes of black‑mass. The facility extracts critical metals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel and rare‑earth...
Vietnam and South Korea Agree to Boost Cooperation on Supply Chains, Nuclear Energy
Vietnam and South Korea signed 12 agreements to deepen cooperation in nuclear energy, advanced technologies, and supply‑chain resilience, seeking to offset economic fallout from the Middle East conflict. The partners set a target of $150 billion in bilateral trade by 2030,...
Can Iran Keep Pumping? The Blockade’s Impact on Oil Production, Exports, and Storage
The United States has instituted a naval blockade of Iranian ports to halt oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran can maintain its current production level for roughly two months before onshore storage fills, after which output must be...
Brent Tops $100 Again Amid Supply Fears After Iran Seizes Vessels in Hormuz
Brent crude futures surged past $100 a barrel on Thursday, reaching $103.40 as Iran seized two vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, heightening supply‑risk concerns. U.S. crude and refined‑product exports climbed to a record 12.88 million barrels per day, up 137,000...
“Spotlight Has Fallen Well Short:” 7’s Program Panned Again, This Time on False Turbine Allegations
Channel 7’s Spotlight program aired a series of inaccurate claims about Australia’s renewable rollout, notably overstating the number of wind turbines needed and the land they would occupy. The program suggested over 31,000 new turbines would be required, while the Australian...
No More Blade Breaks? Macquarie-Backed Outfit Launches Wind Turbine Blade Monitoring Tool
Onyx Insight, now owned by Macquarie Capital, unveiled ecoBlade, a turbine blade condition monitoring system that embeds two 3‑axis accelerometers in each blade. The platform provides continuous, real‑time data to detect cracks, structural faults and high‑energy events weeks or months...
Undervoltage Is a Grid Catch-Up Problem, Not a Case Against Electrification
Australian households are increasingly hitting undervoltage problems as they replace gas appliances with electric heating, induction cooking, EV chargers and battery storage. The legacy low‑voltage network, built for lighting and modest loads, can’t sustain the new peak demand, causing heaters...
Escape From Hormuz: The Oil Tankers Running the Iranian Gauntlet
Oil tankers continuing to transit the Strait of Hormuz are confronting heightened Iranian threats, prompting insurers to raise coverage costs and shippers to consider longer detours. The U.S. Navy has stepped up escort operations, but the risk of seizure or...
Reshaping French Energy
In this episode, Emmanuel Vargon, president of France's energy regulator Creux and chair of the EISA board, discusses the current state of the French wholesale energy market, highlighting its strong nuclear base, growing renewables, and increased market liquidity after the...
Oil Profits to Go up Upstream and Down Downstream in Q4 FY26
Upstream oil and gas producers in India are set to post robust Q4 FY26 earnings, with EBITDA projected to rise between 6% and 49% quarter‑on‑quarter as Brent crude averaged $81 per barrel, a 28% jump. In contrast, downstream oil marketing...
The Cost of Advanced Biofuels
Transport & Environment (T&E) released a new analysis comparing the cost of operating a passenger car on advanced biofuels versus charging an electric vehicle in Europe. The study finds that advanced biofuels are significantly more expensive per 100 km than electricity,...
ARENA Funding Targets Manufacturing Advances in Battery Pack and Materials Projects
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has earmarked more than $4 million under its Battery Breakthrough Initiative to fund two domestic battery‑manufacturing projects. PowerPlus Energy will receive $2.32 million to automate its pack‑assembly line, tripling annual capacity from 50 MWh to 150 MWh. Firebird...
EU Energy Crisis Response Needs a Windfall Tax on Oil Companies to Fund Electrification of Transport
The European Commission unveiled emergency measures to curb the current oil price surge, but it stopped short of imposing a windfall tax on oil firms. Analysts estimate oil companies will earn about $40 billion in excess profits from European drivers. T&E...
Oil Prices up Amid Stalemate over Next Round of Peace Talks, Continued Blockade of Strait of Hormuz
Oil prices edged higher on Thursday as the United States and Iran maintained naval blockades of the Strait of Hormuz, keeping roughly one‑fifth of global oil supplies disrupted. Brent settled at $102.40 a barrel and WTI at $93.51, reflecting a...
Firebird Metals Awarded $2m Grant to Advance Manganese-to-Cathode Processing Technology and Demo Plant
Firebird Metals has secured a $2 million grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency to accelerate its manganese‑to‑cathode processing technology and build a demonstration plant in Perth. The integrated process will convert raw manganese ore directly into lithium‑manganese‑iron‑phosphate (LMFP) cathode material,...
Australia: European Energy’s 31MW Mulwala Solar PV Plant Registered in AEMO System
European Energy’s 31 MW Mulwala Solar Farm in New South Wales has been registered in the Australian Energy Market Operator’s Market Management System, clearing the final regulatory step to bid into the National Electricity Market. The registration signals the start of...
Chile, U.S. Sign $1 Million Mining and Security Pact to Boost Critical‑Minerals Supply
Chile’s foreign and mining ministers and U.S. Undersecretary Thomas DiNanno signed a bilateral package that pairs a $1 million crime‑prevention fund with a framework to expand rare‑earth and rhenium supply chains. The deal ties resource security to law‑enforcement cooperation, underscoring both countries’...
Oil Price Today (April 23): Crude Oil Prices Cross $100 Again as Iran War Ceasefire Talks Show No Progress. $120...
Crude oil prices surged past $100 a barrel on April 23 as stalled Iran‑U.S. cease‑fire talks and renewed restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz heightened geopolitical risk. Brent settled at $101.76 and WTI at $92.82, following a $3‑plus rally driven...
Meta Secures Up to 1 GW/100 GWh Ultra‑Long‑Duration Storage From Noon Energy for AI Data Centers
Meta Platforms has agreed to reserve up to 1 GW of ultra‑long‑duration energy storage – equivalent to 100 GWh – from Noon Energy. The partnership starts with a 25 MW/2.5 GWh pilot slated for completion by 2028 and is aimed at delivering multi‑day renewable...
Natixis Leads $2.6 B Syndicated Letter of Credit Facility for Switch’s Data‑Center Power Expansion
Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking acted as structuring bank, lead arranger and agent to close a $2.6 billion syndicated letter of credit facility for Switch. The deal, the biggest U.S.‑dollar LCF for data‑center power, gives Switch credit backing for new transmission...
Inspiring Students Toward 100% Renewable Energy Future
Delighted to speak to the 800 students at the Harker School high school on Earth Day about moving the world to 100% renewable energy. Thanks to Diana Moss for the invite. @harkerschool
War's Oil Loss: 1 Bn Barrels Gone Forever
The damage is already locked in, says Vitol CEO Russell Hardy Even if the war ended today, roughly 1bn barrels are gone Flows can restart, but lost production can’t be recovered. The idea that things snap back is energy-blind fantasy
Elixir Energy Confirms Substantial Gas-Condensate Pay in Lorelle-3H Ahead of June Testing
Elixir Energy confirmed more than 1,000 m of net gas‑condensate pay in the Lorelle‑3H appraisal well, completing its drilling campaign in the Tinowon “Dunk” Sandstone. The well, drilled to 4,477 m total depth, will undergo Halliburton‑led stimulation and Enserve/SLB testing in June...
Iran's Oil Still Flowing Despite Blockade, Analysts Misread
Can Iran Keep Pumping? The Blockade’s Impact on Oil Production, Exports, and Storage Analysts missed many facts about Iran's ability to generate revenues (with 4 charts) https://t.co/OARSMvZ93z https://t.co/99em4f6lOY
Gulf Medium Sour Oil Shifts From Discount to Premium
A new oil benchmark: Gulf medium sour. It’s gone from discount to premium. And it’s important. @vaneck_us https://t.co/Q5BQSDvJYQ
Upstream Oil and Gas Producers to Shine in Q4, but OMCs and Gas Distributors Face Profit Squeeze
Upstream oil and gas producers in India are set to post strong Q4 earnings as Brent crude climbed to $81 per barrel, a 28% sequential rise, driving EBITDA growth of 6‑49% and revenue up 17‑22%. Down‑stream oil‑marketing companies (OMCs) face...
Oil Lobby Pressures EU to Water Down Arctic Drilling Opposition
EUROPEAN UNION lobbied by oil and gas producers to dilute opposition to Arctic drilling: https://t.co/qk47QfscKc
Only One Ship Exited Hormuz—Unsustainable Trend
Number of ships that left Strait of Hormuz today: ONE. Singular. This is not sustainable. https://t.co/AMsiEvpfVy
Gas Tax Vital for Democracy
Australian policymakers are debating a gas export levy that currently sits at 25% of revenue, with industry groups warning it could deter investment and push domestic gas prices from the $12 AUD/GJ benchmark (≈$7.9 USD/GJ) to about $15 AUD/GJ (≈$9.9 USD/GJ). The Queensland Resources...
US‑Iran Conflict Triggers LPG Shortage Across India
INDIA’s homes and restaurants hit by LPG shortage as a result of U.S.-Iran war: https://t.co/dzqx7u7PLP
Iran Conflict Triggers 55% Oil Surge, TUI Cuts 2026 Revenue Guidance
Iran’s military action that blocked the Strait of Hormuz sent global oil prices soaring 55%, while European tour operator TUI AG trimmed its 2026 revenue guidance amid the fallout. The twin shocks highlight how geopolitical risk is reshaping energy markets...
Canada Seizes Crisis to Diversify Asian Crude Supply
Canada is working hard to sell oil in Asia because every crisis is an opportunity. Asian refineries will likely emerge from this crisis to deploy capex to refine multiple types of crude & not just the Middle East variety.
GE Vernova Jumps 13% on Earnings Beat, Propelling U.S. Stocks to New Highs
GE Vernova Inc. surged 12.6% to $1,116 after reporting first‑quarter earnings that topped forecasts and revealing $2.4 billion in data‑center equipment orders. The rally helped the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 post new closing highs, underscoring the power of strong corporate results...
European Rapeseed Futures Reach One‑Year High, Prices Near $570/T
Rapeseed markets in Europe surged on 21 April 2026, with front‑month Euronext futures closing at 518 EUR/t (about $570/t), the highest level in a year. The rally stems from a tight physical supply outlook, higher crude oil prices, and strong demand for...
Underfunded Regulators Risk Stymying Britain's Nuclear Energy Drive
Britain’s nuclear expansion is being hampered by chronically under‑funded regulators who lack the staff and expertise to process licences efficiently. The Labour government’s rhetoric of treating regulators as "blockers" has intensified scrutiny, even as the country pursues ambitious projects like...
SwitchedOn Podcast: Why Are some Home Batteries so Cheap?
The SwitchedOn Australia podcast released an episode examining why some residential energy storage systems are priced unusually low. Installations have surged thanks to a federal rebate program, yet the Clean Energy Regulator reports over 60% of installations are substandard. Hosts...
Fire After Ukrainian Attack at Russia's Tuapse Refinery Hits Air Quality
A Ukrainian drone strike on Russia's Tuapse oil refinery ignited a fire at the sea terminal, prompting a three‑day firefighting effort. The blaze forced the refinery, which exports most of its output, to halt operations after earlier attacks on April 16....
PG&E Corp (PCG) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
PG&E reported full‑year 2025 core earnings of $1.50 per share, a 10% increase year‑over‑year, and raised its 2026 core EPS guidance to $1.64‑$1.66, reaffirming a 9%+ annual growth outlook through 2030. The utility highlighted a surge in data‑center load, now...
Central Asia in Race to Close Power-Generation Gap – Report
Central Asian nations are racing to close a growing electricity gap as they launch AI hubs and data centers, but current generation capacity—still dominated by aging hydropower—cannot meet the surge in demand. The New Lines Institute report warns that population...
Knowles Corp (KN) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
Helix Energy Solutions Group posted Q1 2026 revenue of $288 million, a $13 million net loss and $32 million adjusted EBITDA, while announcing an all‑stock merger with Hornbeck Offshore Services. The deal will create a combined offshore services platform under the Hornbeck name,...
Interfacial Polarity Modulation of Positive Electrode Active Materials for High-Potential Lithium Metal Batteries
Researchers have introduced a polarity‑modulation strategy for positive‑electrode active materials that stabilizes high‑potential lithium‑metal batteries. By applying tailored self‑assembled monolayers and fluorinated surface treatments, the cathode interphase becomes LiF‑rich, suppressing electrolyte oxidation above 4.5 V. The approach delivered a 4.6 V Li||LiCoO₂...
Nextera Energy Inc (NEE) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
CenterPoint Energy reported first‑quarter non‑GAAP EPS of $0.56 and reaffirmed its 2026 guidance of $1.89‑$1.91, signaling an 8% earnings growth target. The company highlighted a jump in Houston Electric’s firmly committed load to 12.2 GW, with 3.2 GW already approved by ERCOT...
The Domino Effect: Why the Impending Global Energy Crisis Is Already at Your Door
The episode warns that a looming global energy crisis, sparked by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and compounded by the Russia‑Ukraine war, is already affecting the United States. Host Danielle Moody explains how disrupted oil, fertilizer and LNG...
Key Contracts Awarded for Indonesia Offshore Gas Project
Conrad Asia Energy has awarded the core contracts for phase one of its Mako offshore gas development off Indonesia, a project valued at US$320 million. The contracts cover drilling, subsea infrastructure and processing facilities, positioning the field for a production start‑up...