Today's Energy Pulse
Scania pilots megawatt‑scale V2G for heavy‑duty electric trucks
Scania demonstrated one of the first vehicle‑to‑grid systems for heavy‑duty electric trucks using the Megawatt Charging System (MCS). The pilot showed bi‑directional power flow, allowing trucks parked at depots to feed electricity back to the grid, with real‑time communication between the truck, charger and energy‑management platform enabling dynamic charging and discharging. The test marks a step toward integrating large‑capacity EVs into grid balancing.
Also developing:
How Do You Know Your Power Market and Grid Data Is Reliable? 9 Questions to Ask
Yes Energy’s sponsored guide stresses that utilities and traders need reliable power‑market and grid data to make short‑term and long‑term decisions. It outlines nine critical questions across three data quality dimensions—completeness, freshness, and lineage—to evaluate data providers. The guide highlights how missing values, latency, and opaque data transformations can distort analytics, increase risk, and erode confidence. Readers are invited to download a full checklist to compare vendors and ensure data integrity for market execution and planning.
The Single-Platform Utility: A Competitive Advantage in the Age of AI
Utilities are confronting rising cost pressures, regulatory demands and workforce shortages just as AI moves from pilot to production. The article argues that a single, integrated platform linking operational technology, front‑office and back‑office systems is essential to unlock AI’s potential...
The Impact of Renewable Energy Consumption on Environmental Degradation: Evidence From OIC Countries
A new econometric study of 35 OIC nations finds that renewable energy consumption consistently lowers the ecological footprint, while trade openness raises it. Using a two‑step system GMM approach, the research shows a persistent U‑shaped relationship between GDP and environmental...
‘No More Mr Nice Guy’: Oil Prices Spike as Trump Renews Iran Power Plant Threats
Oil prices surged over six percent on Monday, pushing Brent crude above $96 per barrel as tensions in the Middle East intensified. President Donald Trump threatened to target Iran’s power plants if Tehran rejects a U.S. deal, while Iran’s closure...
After LNG Vessel Deal, Dubai-Based Firm Orders Four New VLGCs to Enrich LPG Fleet
Dubai‑based energy trader BGN has placed an order for four new dual‑fuel very large gas carriers (VLGCs) with Hyundai Heavy Industries, with delivery expected by 2029. Each vessel will hold 90,000 cubic metres of cargo and can operate on traditional...
Oil Flows to Lag Even if Hormuz Strait Reopens
The Strait of Hormuz, which moves roughly one‑fifth of global oil and gas, remains largely shut after Iran tightened control following a U.S. blockade. Even a temporary reopening will not instantly restore flows; analysts estimate an eight‑to‑twelve‑week lag for tanker...
How Smarter Video Security Protects Offshore Energy Assets
Offshore energy operators are increasingly deploying AI‑enabled video security to protect wind farms, oil rigs and related platforms. These smart cameras can identify fires, chemical leaks, equipment malfunctions and unauthorized vessels before traditional alarms trigger. Integrated with radar, thermal sensors...
Hormuz: No Longer a Shipping Lane
The Strait of Hormuz, once a predictable conduit for global oil, is now a contested battlefield. Recent missile strikes have turned commercial vessels into direct targets, and Iranian‑aligned forces are enforcing control with military force. This structural shift has slowed...
Eni Makes Major Gas Discovery Offshore Indonesia
Italy’s Eni announced a major offshore gas find in Indonesia’s Kutei Basin, estimating about 5 trillion cubic feet of gas and 300 million barrels of condensate from the Geliga‑1 well. The discovery sits in the Ganal block, where Eni operates with an...
OKEA Sheds Its Stake in Norwegian Gas/Condensate Discovery
OKEA has entered a sale‑and‑purchase agreement with Japex Norge to divest its 20% working interest in the PL1119 licence, which hosts the Mistral gas‑condensate discovery, for a fixed $30 million plus contingent upside. The transaction, effective 1 January 2026, is slated to close...
The State of Solar: Despite Partisan Rhetoric, the Industry Is Still Booming
Solar and battery storage accounted for 79% of new U.S. generation in 2025 and are projected to grow 49% before the Inflation Reduction Act tax credits expire in 2027. Despite Republican attempts to curtail clean‑energy incentives, the industry is expanding,...
CATL to Unveil Sodium Battery and Fast-Charging Tech at Apr 21 Tech Day
China's battery giant CATL announced its most technology‑dense launch event for April 21, where it will unveil sodium‑ion batteries, condensed‑cell formats, and next‑generation fast‑charging solutions. The sodium‑ion cells retain 90% of capacity at –40 °C and are slated for a joint vehicle...
Acwa and SPPC Sign Agreement for Rabigh 2 Expansion Project
Acwa and the Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC) have signed a power purchase agreement to expand the Rabigh 2 independent power plant in Saudi Arabia. The deal, worth SR 11.5 bn (approximately $3 bn), covers a 2.31 GW gas‑fired combined‑cycle plant and a 380 kV substation...
United States Once More Playing for Russia
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on April 19 that the sanctions waiver for Russian oil already on board vessels will be extended until May 16, following the brief reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The move reverses a March statement...
BloombergNEF Announces 12 Climate Innovators as Winners of Its 2026 Pioneers Award
BloombergNEF announced the 2026 Pioneers award winners, naming 12 startups that address data‑centre sustainability, duck‑curve flattening, and shipping decarbonisation. The program received over 600 applications from 66 markets and has, since 2010, backed 176 winners that have raised more than...
Indian Refiner Knocks Back Iranian Cargoes on Two VLCCs as US Waiver Ends
Reliance Industries rejected two Iranian oil cargoes on VLCCs Derya and Lenore as the U.S. 30‑day waiver on Iranian crude expired on Sunday. The waiver, introduced to ease price spikes after Gulf shipping bans, will not be renewed, prompting stricter...
Probe Underway as Rig Ops Come to a Standstill After Blowout Preventer Drop
Odfjell Drilling reported that its 17‑year‑old Deepsea Atlantic semi‑submersible lost its blowout preventer (BOP) to the seabed at about 1,100 metres on April 18, halting all drilling activity. The rig, operating for Equinor on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, remained secure and no...
Three-Party Union in Singapore Targets Low-Carbon Ammonia as Marine Fuel
A three‑party partnership between NYK Bulkship (Asia), Singapore bunker supplier Golden Island, and Yara Clean Ammonia has signed a non‑binding term sheet to explore low‑carbon ammonia as a marine fuel. The alliance leverages NYK’s fleet of over 900 vessels and...
Oil Prices Rebound on Escalating US-Iran Tensions as Ceasefire Deadline Approaches
Oil prices rebounded over the weekend as the United States maintained a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, despite earlier signals of a diplomatic breakthrough with Iran. The cease‑fire deadline looms tomorrow, and Iran’s decision to close the strait again...
Ganfeng Lithium Sees Profits Soar Amid Energy Disruption
China’s Ganfeng Lithium, the world’s largest lithium‑metal producer, expects a profit of 1.6 billion yuan (≈ $221 million) for the quarter ended March, a sharp reversal from a 360 million‑yuan loss a year earlier. The surge is driven by soaring oil prices that have...
Are Long-Promised Solar Perovskites Finally Hitting Mass Production?
Startup Tandem PV has opened a 65,000‑sq‑ft automated factory in Fremont, California, to mass‑produce perovskite‑coated glass panels that raise solar‑cell efficiency from roughly 22% to about 30%. The line already outputs panels 60 times larger than its laboratory cells and has...
As Utility Costs Rise, Can ‘Background’ Smart Thermostats Offer Relief?
Smart thermostats are increasingly used by utilities for demand‑response, but a growing number also shift household temperatures autonomously to avoid peak‑price rates. In Arizona, Salt River Project partnered with Renew Home’s Energy Shift program, finding that 28,500 homes reduced peak...
Tiny North Carolina Town Takes a Big Step Toward Geothermal Energy
Enfield, North Carolina secured a $300,000 seed grant to launch a shallow‑geothermal thermal energy network that will heat, cool and provide hot water to a new 34‑unit affordable‑housing development. The pilot is part of a larger $5 million plan to eventually...
HDRE, Tokyo Gas Sign 150MW BESS Deal in Japan as Trading, Curtailment and Disaster Relief Drive Use Cases in Growing...
HD Renewable Energy (HDRE) and Tokyo Gas have signed two new battery energy storage system (BESS) projects—a 99 MW plant and a 50 MW asset in Aomori—bringing their joint contracted capacity to 340 MW. The projects are covered by 20‑year Long‑Term Decarbonization Auction...
Batteries Charge To The Edge
Breakthrough claims from Finland’s Donut Lab and China’s BYD signal a new era for battery chemistry, promising double‑the‑energy solid‑state cells and ultra‑fast charging that could reach 1,000 km on a single charge. While capacity gains have historically lagged at 4‑8% per...
Record Wind Generation Boosts Renewables but Highlights Grid Constraints
Great Britain recorded a historic 29.2 TWh of wind generation this year, pushing total renewable output to 40.3 TWh—up 20% year‑on‑year and covering 52% of electricity demand. Strong winter storms drove the surge, lowering wholesale prices and displacing fossil‑fuel generation, while gas...
Petrobras (PBR) Upgraded at BofA Amid Higher Oil Prices
Bank of America upgraded Petrobras (NYSE:PBR) from Neutral to Buy on April 17, raising its price target from $18.70 to $24.80 – a upside of more than 21% at current levels. The move reflects BofA’s higher oil‑price assumptions amid the...
Geography Drives Oil Price Gaps, Splits Asset Returns
Oil: The have and have not. What's the price of crude in North America? Very cheap, as low as 72.7. What's the price in Sri Lanka, well, very expensive. Gas is the same story. So the oil market and pricing...
Drone Strike Sparks Typical Oil Tank Blaze, Not Apocalypse
Some social media accounts are exaggerating the impact of the attack. If you watch the video yourself, you’ll see that the storage tanks are on fire — and that’s it. The tanks contain oil, so heavy smoke and large...
Looks Like Adopting Electric Cars and Green Energy Would Be Wise
Petrol prices in Tanzania have jumped roughly 30% as the Iran‑U.S. conflict chokes the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint that moves about one‑fifth of the world’s oil. The disruption raises transport costs, especially for landlocked African nations, and fuels broader...
Batteries Power 44% of California’s Evening Peak
44% of evening peak met by batteries. In California, world’s 4th largest economy. Not some tiny pilot project or a niche experiment, a global industrial powerhouse If you’re still sitting in boardrooms or parliament banging on about baseload and the intermittency...
Oil Prices Jumped and Stock Futures Fell on Renewed Iran Conflict
Oil prices surged on Sunday after a U.S. Navy destroyer seized an Iranian‑flagged cargo ship and Iran re‑imposed strict control over the Strait of Hormuz, attacking two Indian‑flagged vessels. The renewed tension in the strategic waterway revived fears of supply...
Adani Power, NTPC, PFC, Tata Power Hit 52-Week Highs: Why Are Power Stocks Charged Up?
Power stocks such as Adani Power, NTPC, and Tata Power surged to 52‑week highs on April 20, despite broader market volatility driven by the US‑Iran conflict and rising oil prices. Analysts attribute the rally to a seasonal spike in electricity...
Pemex Undersea Pipeline Found to Cause Gulf Oil Spill
Pemex confirmed that a leaky undersea pipeline near its Abkatun offshore platform caused a Gulf of Mexico oil spill that reached from Tabasco to Tamaulipas. Environmental groups estimate up to 800 tons of hydrocarbons were released, prompting public outrage and...
Hybrid Electrolysis Replaces Waste Oxygen with Valuable Chemicals
Recent research highlights three distinct scientific advances. Marine biologists show that pinniped spines have been reshaped for powerful, mobile lower backs, trading neck flexibility for efficient swimming. In Mozambique, engineers are piloting systems that turn agricultural waste into clean water...
Clean Energy Gains Slow CO2 Rise, Fossil Power Reverses
THREAD: The IEA global energy review 2026 * CO2 record high, but growth nearly ground to halt * Clean energy shaved 3bn tonnes off CO2 * Fossil-fuel power pushed into reverse * Age of Electricity "confirmed" * "Extraordinary" solar growth * Batteries up 40% * EVs up...
EU to Streamline Jet Fuel Distribution and Seek Alternatives
The EU will propose measures to “optimize” jet fuel distribution among member states and help source alternative supplies https://t.co/C1WA5BwZUZ
Topside Decommissioning Projects Streamlined With Combined Planning
Oil‑and‑gas specialist Mammoet teamed with Allseas to decommission two massive North Sea topsides, Heather Alpha (16,865 t) and Eider Alpha (12,831 t), in a single summer campaign. By pre‑installing equipment on Allseas’ cargo barge Iron Lady, the firm enabled simultaneous load‑in operations,...
7.4‑Magnitude Offshore Japan
Magnitude 7.4 quake hits offshore northeast Japan 🇯🇵 ⚠️ A tsunami warning was issued for the region. Tohoku Electric is currently checking the status of its power plants https://t.co/XJ8J5YUBOB
Energy Bulls and Bears Spar More Fiercely than Stocks
If you thought the emotions around the bull/bear case for stocks often run high, it is nothing compared to the lines currently being drawn up between bulls and bears in oil, gas and the wider energy complex.
War and Outcome of Talks Dictate the Energy Markets – Petcoke Back in Expensive Zone Towards Coal
A cease‑fire between the United States and Iran has eased immediate oil market pressure, yet transport disruptions and damaged Middle‑East infrastructure keep the energy complex volatile. Brent crude sits at $92 per barrel, while coal prices have fallen sharply after...
China's EV and Hybrid Trucks Surpass Diesel Sales
In China battery electric trucks and hybrid trucks now outsell diesel trucks for the first time. https://t.co/iprDfUBNG9
China Revives Coal‑to‑gas Projects to Curb Gas Imports
China is looking to tap cheap domestic coal to limit its exposure to gas imports 🇨🇳👀 A high-profile Chinese coal-to-gas venture that lay dormant for over a decade is set to launch this year. The country has 13 new projects under...
Wild Attack on Batteries and Renewables by 7’s Spotlight Program Falls over at the First Fact Check
Australia’s leading current‑affairs program Spotlight aired a segment claiming that every battery, electric vehicle and clean‑energy technology relies on cobalt. A rapid fact‑check showed that the majority of grid‑scale batteries and most Tesla EVs in Australia use lithium‑iron‑phosphate chemistry, which...
Hormuz Tension Leaves Dollar Dominance Unshaken
🔥The Hormuz Crisis: ▪️Pricing oil in US dollar is intact ▪️The GCC's dollar peg is intact
UAE Threatens Shift From Petrodollar to Yuan
💥JUST IN The UAE has told the U.S. that if it runs short of U.S. dollars, it will be forced to use Chinese yuan or other currencies for oil sales and transactions. The petrodollar is at risk. https://t.co/ENEUL9x7LY
S&P Hits Record as Oil Plunges Amid Iran Tensions
The S&P just hit a RECORD HIGH. Oil crashed 13% in a week. Iran says the Strait is "completely open." Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk won't send ships through. The ceasefire expires TUESDAY. And the Navy just put 5-inch gun rounds into...
Unverified Hormuz Crossing: UAE Oil Tanker Likely Loaded Elsewhere
A Suezmax tanker loaded with 1 mb of UAE oil is heading to Korea. Korean media & others say it crossed the Hormuz Strait — but there's NO evidence-- yet. It probably loaded at Fujairah or through STS transfer. Map...
Doubting a Quick Reopening of the Strait of Hormuz
Is it time to abandon hope the Strait of Hormuz will open soon? https://t.co/5BRLiEg2Tm @ClydeCommods
Electricity Demand Outpaces Overall Energy Growth in 2025
Global electricity demand grew more than 2x as fast as overall energy demand in 2025, with electrification & AI expanding strongly US energy demand growth reached one of its fastest rates this century while growth in emerging economies slowed Read more: https://t.co/4PiqgKAmmJ...