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:
West Asia Conflict: Govt Amends ATF Regulations; Allows for SAF Blending
India’s Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas has amended the Aviation Turbine Fuel (Regulation of Marketing) Order 2001 to allow blending of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) with conventional jet fuel, explicitly permitting ethanol and other synthesized hydrocarbons. The change creates a regulatory pathway for a full SAF ecosystem—from feedstock sourcing to production and end‑use—leveraging the country’s ethanol capacity and agricultural residue surplus. The government set blending targets of 1% by 2027, 2% by 2028 and 5% by 2030 to curb crude‑oil imports and decarbonise aviation. Industry leaders view the amendment as a catalyst for long‑term SAF investment.
Court Blocks “De Facto Moratorium” On Federal Solar Permitting
A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction halting a Department of the Interior policy that required secretarial‑level approval for every renewable energy project on public lands. The rule had stalled roughly 57 GW of planned solar and storage capacity, creating a...
Data Center World 2026: Real Estate, On-Site Power Speed AI Buildout
Data center developers are confronting a looming 300 GW power shortfall as AI workloads surge, with the U.S. projected to need about 200 GW of new capacity while retiring roughly 100 GW of existing generation. At Data Center World 2026, Prologis Mobility’s JT Steenkamp highlighted...
Modelling Shows Network Tariff Reforms Will Slash some Power Bills, Blow up Others, Even with Solar and Battery
The Australian Energy Market Commission’s new modelling suggests that raising the fixed component of network charges could lower electricity bills for most households – saving up to $740 AUD (about $490 USD) by 2040 – but could increase costs for low‑consumption homes...
Axens’ MACARON Cathode Plant Earns France’s Strategic Project Label and 25% Tax Credit
Axens’ MACARON cathode‑active‑materials plant in Saint‑Saulve has been named one of France’s 150 major strategic projects, earned a Net Zero label, and secured a 25 % Green Industry Investment Tax Credit. The design aims to supply cathode materials for French and...
WindEurope 2026: CIP Unveils Electrification Plan
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) released a roadmap at WindEurope 2026 calling for €200 bn (≈ $218 bn) of annual investment to electrify Europe’s power system. The plan targets a 2,500 GW expansion of wind and solar capacity by 2050 and an accelerated €120 bn (≈ $131 bn)...
UK Government Says It Will Cut Red Tape for On-Street EV Charger Installations
UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband announced a package of measures to speed the clean‑energy transition, including new permitted‑development rights for on‑street EV chargers. The reforms will streamline outdated grid rules, accelerate grid upgrades, and make it easier for renters and...
VIDEO – Energy Storage Summit 2026: What Does Market Saturation in Europe Mean for BESS?
At the Energy Storage Summit 2026 in London, a panel examined how Europe’s battery‑energy‑storage system (BESS) market is nearing saturation and what that means for future revenues. Panelists from Gore Street Capital, Sosteneo, Starlight Energy, Enfinity Global and NHOA discussed...
US EIA Weekly Crude Oil Inventories +1925K vs -1200K Expected
The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported crude oil inventories rose by 1.925 million barrels for the week ending April 10, far above the 1.2 million‑barrel draw analysts expected. Gasoline stocks plunged 4.57 million barrels and distillate inventories fell 3.43 million barrels, both exceeding forecasted declines....
Ultra’s Battery-Powered Triumph: ‘This Is the Future of Live’
Ultra Music Festival’s sustainability team powered the RESISTANCE Cove stage with Showpower’s SmartGrid battery system, marking the first U.S. festival to run a main stage on a zero‑emission battery. The grid‑charged unit replaced a diesel generator, delivering uninterrupted audio, lighting...
Strait of Hormuz Disruption and the Long Tail of Higher Oil Prices
The war in Iran has triggered the most severe physical disruption to global energy since the 1970s, according to IEA chief Fatih Birol. Damage to Middle‑East infrastructure and a choke‑point in the Strait of Hormuz have halted oil flows and filled...
Turkey Says COP31 to Focus on Clean Energy Shift
Turkey will host COP31 in Antalya in November, using the presidency to push a clean‑energy agenda amid soaring oil prices and regional conflict. Environment minister Murat Kurum says even fossil‑fuel‑dependent economies must adopt greener technologies, proposing carbon‑capture solutions to achieve...
Hydrogen Enables Energy Storage Way Beyond Batteries, Nel Emphasises
Nel ASA CEO Håkon Volldal highlighted hydrogen’s ability to store energy far beyond battery limits, citing a 200 MW U.S. plant that eclipses the combined capacity of all grid‑linked batteries in the United States. He announced a new purchase order for...
EU Relaxes Clean Energy and Fertiliser Subsidy Rules in Response to Iran War
The European Commission unveiled AccelerateEU, a package that eases clean‑energy and fertilizer subsidy rules amid the Iran‑triggered energy shock. It proposes a lower tax on electricity than natural gas and grants member states the ability to subsidise up to 50%...
The Messy Middle of C&I Solar
The U.S. commercial‑and‑industrial (C&I) solar and storage market is entering a "messy middle" as developers grapple with a bifurcated supply chain, evolving fire‑code requirements, and the looming end of tax‑equity financing. Battery storage faces 12‑18‑month lead times for domestic‑content cells,...
Distributed Solar’s Last Mile Problem
Distributed solar and storage projects are increasingly stalling before receiving Notices to Proceed as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) and Foreign Entity of Concern (FEOC) rules tighten compliance, tax‑credit windows shrink, and interconnection queues lengthen. Capital providers are...
New York State Senate Passes ASAP Act to Deploy 20GW Distributed Solar by 2035
The New York State Senate approved the Accelerate Solar for Affordable Power (ASAP) Act, setting a goal of 20 GW of distributed solar capacity by 2035. New York already reached its 6 GW target a year early and has raised the 2030...
No Evidence of PFAS Leaching From Solar Panels, Study Finds
Researchers from Michigan State University and Oak Ridge National Laboratory examined claims that photovoltaic (PV) modules contain leachable PFAS and found no confirmed evidence of such emissions from commercially deployed panels. The analysis shows fluoropolymers—a distinct, low‑bioavailability subset of PFAS—are...
Air Permit Docs: New Gas Projects Linked to Just 11 US Data Center Campuses Could Emit 129M+ Tons of Greenhouse...
A recent Wired analysis of air‑permit filings reveals that just 11 U.S. data‑center campuses are tied to new natural‑gas projects capable of emitting more than 129 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent each year. The projects are linked to high‑profile...
European HVO Class IV-II Spread at an All-Time High
The northwest European HVO Class IV‑II spread surged to a record $450 per tonne on 21 April, up from $250 a month earlier. The jump reflects a $95/m³ premium for Class IV versus a $20/m³ rise for Class II, driven by scarce Class IV offers...
New Policy Paper to Offer ‘Single Window’ Into South Africa’s Electricity Reform Agenda
South Africa’s Electricity and Energy Ministry is finalising a policy paper that will serve as a single‑window overview of the nation’s electricity‑reform agenda. The document, slated for Cabinet review within weeks and a subsequent public comment period, will set a...
RTI Recycled More Than 390 Million Pounds of Used Cooking Oil in 2025
Restaurant Technologies, Inc. (RTI) delivered nearly 720 million lb of fresh cooking oil and set a new record by recycling over 393 million lb of used cooking oil (UCO) in 2025. Bulk delivery eliminated more than 20 million plastic jugs, saving roughly 31.5 million lb of trash...
Iran War Sparks Massive Commodity Price Surge, Markets Stable
Since the start of the Iran war... Jet Fuel: +60% Sulfur: +53% Urea: +49% Heating Oil: +46% Diesel: +46% Brent Crude Oil: +36% Fertilizer: +35% Gasoline: +35% WTI Crude Oil: +35% European Natural Gas: +33% Palm Oil: +14% Coal: +12% Iron Ore: +8% Rice: +6% S&P 500: +3% $VIX: -4%
Equities Ignore Oil Rise; Watch Key VWAP Levels
Equities markets don't seem to care that oil $CL_F is back above the 🔵anchor from the beginning of the war, not yet at least. Keep an eye on the 🟠⚓️VWAP from the ceasefire announcement and the 🔴VWAP from the YTD high...
WindEurope 2026: RWE Extends ZITON Partnership
RWE has renewed its strategic partnership with jack‑up vessel specialist ZITON for an additional three years, securing at least 240 vessel days per year starting in 2027. The framework, which builds on a 2023 agreement, covers vessels, lifting and auxiliary...
Diesel Inventories Plummet, Prices Set to Hit Records
Watch diesel inventories. As I mentioned in various reports, I expect record-low diesel inventories with record prices.
Brent Futures Gap Collapsed, Market Silence Prevails
The thing about markets is that stuff only gets talked about when it's apocalyptic. The gap between Dated Brent and futures has collapsed, so no one talks about it anymore. Sign up as a paying subscriber for my daily posts...
What Do You Mean When You Use the Words “US Shale”?
The article argues that U.S. shale cannot be treated as a single, interchangeable asset class because the eleven major plays differ dramatically in hydrocarbon mix, geology, economics, and regulatory environments. It highlights that the Permian Basin supplies nearly half of...
Lithium Deficit Persists Until 2035, Requires Massive Investment
Canaccord expects lithium markets to slip into deficit this year and remain there until at least 2035, calls for "significant investment in new supply" https://t.co/folUunEI4w
Rising Fuel Prices Boost Solar, EV, Heat Pump Demand
🎙️ Just on @AlJazeera on war & clean energy. Double-edged sword — but I'm optimistic long-term. High fuel prices make clean energy more economic than just weeks ago. Demand for solar, EVs and heat pumps is surging. https://t.co/3WP8kG7awM
Sunkonnect Plans to Cut 15% Carbon Dioxide Emissions in Educational Institutes over 4 Years
Sunkonnect, a renewable‑energy consulting firm, announced a four‑year program to slash carbon dioxide emissions from Indian educational campuses by 15%, equating to roughly 34 million tonnes. The plan hinges on installing solar rooftops at more than 5,000 schools and conducting comprehensive...
Traders Bet $430M on Oil Drop Pre‑Trump Ceasefire
Traders placed bets worth $430 million on a drop in crude prices just 15 minutes before President Trump said he would extend a ceasefire with Iran, which sent the market lower @a_coops1 https://t.co/v167motouv
Missing Price Discovery Signals Looming Energy Market Crisis
“The lack of price discovery that we are seeing is so worrying to me, because in reality we are storing up a bigger problem for the future,” said Amrita Sen, founder and director of market intelligence at Energy Aspects. https://t.co/faWrJzysrl
Airlines Slash Routes as Jet Fuel Prices Double, Spirit Fares Surge
Jet fuel prices have jumped from about $99 to over $200 per barrel, forcing carriers such as Delta, Air Canada and Lufthansa to cut routes and trim capacity. Spirit Airlines saw its average fare for late‑March flights rise from $86...
Discussing Oil's Future and Hormuz Tensions with BBG
Joining the @BBGIntelligence energy team this morning for a chat about oil and the Hormuz of it all https://t.co/dKW2nLoYqd
Tiny Data Center Gas Projects Outpace Morocco’s Emissions
"New gas projects linked to just 11 data center campuses around the US have the potential to create more greenhouse gases than the country of Morocco emitted in 2024." -Wired There's a better way. At Firma Power we're chatting that way...
Fuel Prices Decline as Diesel and Gasoline Markets Ease After Volatility
U.S. diesel and gasoline prices slipped this week, with diesel down 21 cents to $5.403 per gallon and gasoline down 8 cents to $4.044 per gallon, according to the Energy Information Administration. Despite the declines, both fuels remain well above...
Noveria Energy Secures Grid Deal with TenneT Germany for 250MW Battery Storage Project
Noveria Energy has signed a grid‑construction agreement with transmission system operator TenneT Germany to connect a 250 MW battery energy storage system in Niedersachsen by early 2028. The deal marks a key milestone for Noveria’s portfolio, which exceeds 3 GW of planned...
Finnair Flags Middle East Conflict as Jet‑Fuel Risk, CEO Says Company Is Preparing for Scenarios
Finnair CEO Turkka Kuusisto warned that a prolonged Middle East war threatens jet‑fuel availability and said the airline is preparing for multiple scenarios. The alert comes as the carrier posted first‑quarter sales in line with analyst expectations, underscoring the financial...
Iran‑U.S. Standoff Pushes Brent to $95/Barrel, Fuel Costs Spike in US and UK
The Iran‑U.S. confrontation has driven Brent crude to roughly $95 per barrel, raising U.S. household gasoline expenses by $857 a year and lifting UK consumer‑price inflation to 3.3%. Analysts warn the surge will cascade through plastics, food and broader cost‑of‑living...
Andhra Pradesh to Host ₹5,400 Crore Solar Manufacturing Project Groundbreaking
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will inaugurate the foundation stone for ReNew Energy Global plc's new solar manufacturing complex in Anakapalli district on April 23. The plant, a 6 GW solar ingot and wafer unit, represents a ₹5,400 crore ($650 million)...
5-MW Solar Project Largely Financed by Microsoft Suppliers Seeking Renewable Energy Certificates
Ever.green completed the 5‑MW Baron solar project in Anson County, North Carolina, owned by Headwater Energy. A coalition of Microsoft suppliers bought high‑impact renewable energy certificates, providing the revenue certainty needed for financing. The REC purchases align with Microsoft’s Supplier...
Exergy3 Secures $13.5 Million Seed Round to Convert Surplus Renewable Power Into Industrial Heat
Exergy3, a University of Edinburgh spin‑out, raised $13.5 million in a seed round led by Axeleo Capital to scale its modular ultra‑high‑temperature storage that converts curtailed renewable electricity into industrial process heat. The funding will fund manufacturing expansion, a new Munich...
Alaska LNG Project Clearing Hurdles, Inching Toward Reality
Glenfarne Group LLC is pushing the Alaska LNG project closer to construction, with early pipeline work slated to begin soon. The company has secured all necessary federal permits, clearing a major regulatory hurdle. Tentative sales agreements have been signed for...
GEV's Orders Surge 71% with Margin Boost
$GEV: strong revenues/order momentum continues along with profitability w margins beating by 230 bps. Total orders of $18.3bn were +71% organic y/y - Power orders +10%, Wind orders +85% and Electrification orders +86%.
Petroyuan Will Mature in Bursts of Crisis
The petroyuan – oil trades settled in Chinese yuan – is gaining traction not through a slow ideological shift but via crisis‑driven operational choices. Recent Indian and African transactions show firms opting for yuan when U.S. sanctions or routing constraints...
Exclusive: Octopus Energy Launches Battery-Powered Electricity Plan With Lunar
Octopus Energy has teamed with Lunar Energy to launch a bundled home‑battery offering in Texas. The package pairs a three‑year fixed electricity rate with a 30 kWh battery leased for $45 a month and automatic enrollment in a statewide virtual power...
DAF Announces Next Steps in Advanced Nuclear Power for Installations Initiative
The Department of the Air Force (DAF) unveiled the next phase of its Advanced Nuclear Power for Installations initiative, targeting the deployment of small modular reactors to power forward operating bases and space launch facilities. The roadmap calls for fielding...
DAF Announces Next Steps in Advanced Nuclear Power for Installations Initiative
The Department of the Air Force, working with the Defense Innovation Unit, has earmarked three installations—Buckley Space Force Base in Colorado, Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana, and Joint Base San Antonio in Texas—for micro‑reactor development under its Advanced Nuclear...
Hoarding Is Driving Energy Prices Higher Everywhere
Global oil markets are tightening as wealthy nations—China, Japan, Europe, and the United States—scramble to secure supplies amid the Middle East conflict. Their aggressive purchasing and export restrictions are pushing energy prices higher worldwide and creating shortages in less affluent...