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:
Victory Lap to Crisis: Trump’s Hormuz Claim Backfires Almost Instantly
President Donald Trump declared the Strait of Hormuz "open" after Iran’s foreign minister announced a temporary cease‑fire, prompting a brief dip in oil prices. Within hours, Iranian Revolutionary Guard vessels fired on ships and re‑imposed strict controls, turning the perceived diplomatic win into chaos. The U.S. maintained its naval blockade of Iranian ports, further inflaming tensions. Analysts warn the episode underscores the fragility of any agreement and the risk of rapid market volatility.
CMS Guides Launch of 57.6 MW Solar Park and 24/48 MWh Storage in Bulgaria
CMS has advised on the commissioning of the 57.6‑MW‑peak Sinitovo photovoltaic plant and its co‑located 24/48‑MWh battery energy storage system in Bulgaria. The project, developed by Solar Park Trakiya JSCo with Drag Holding, secured roughly $43 million in EuroBank Bulgaria financing,...
ITM Power Partners with Rheinmetall on Giga PtX Synthetic Fuel Network
ITM Power plc and Rheinmetall AG have signed a strategic collaboration to develop the Giga PtX project, a Europe‑wide network of decentralized synthetic‑fuel plants for NATO. Each plant will host up to 50 MW of electrolyser capacity, delivering 5,000‑7,000 tonnes of...
The Price of War
The Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint that moves roughly one‑fifth of the world’s oil, has been effectively shut after Israel’s heavy strikes on Lebanon and U.S. sanctions on non‑Iranian tankers. The closure coincides with a fragile cease‑fire and a U.S....
Iraq Moves to Restart Oil Exports as It Seeks Stability and Revenue
Iraq announced it will restart oil exports from all fields within days, aiming to boost state revenue and stabilize domestic fuel supplies. The Ministry of Oil is also opening a new black‑oil outlet through Syria’s Baniyas port to diversify export...
This ‘Hidden’ Price of Oil Is Going to Hit Your Electric Bill Next
The article highlights a widening $38 gap between the headline Brent crude price of about $95 and the physical “dated Brent” price of $133 that refineries actually pay. The disparity stems from a sharp supply shock in the Strait of...
Hydropower Is Making a Global Comeback
Hydropower remains the world’s third‑largest electricity source, supplying about 4,500 TWh—or 14 percent—of global power each year. Rising fossil‑fuel volatility and the need for grid flexibility are prompting governments to re‑evaluate water‑driven generation as a diversification tool. Pumped‑storage hydro, the largest form...
US Oil Exec Would Slash Capex Amid Hormuz Price Gap
If I was a US oil exec witnessing how Hormuz’s closure for 7 weeks (& counting) has left US oil prices far below global prices while E&P stocks (XOP) have underperformed SPX since March 2, I’d cut 2026 capex, lay...
Kazakh Gas Sector Comes of Age, Spurns Western Partners for CITIC
Kazakhstan’s state‑owned KazMunayGas is set to partner with China’s CITIC to construct a gas‑treatment plant at the Karachaganak field, after a dispute led to the exclusion of Western partners Eni and Shell. The move underscores a strategic pivot toward Chinese...
Naphtha Crunch Bites Japanese Companies Despite PM's Assurances
Japanese manufacturers are confronting a sharp naphtha shortage that is driving up prices for a broad array of plastic‑based products, from bathtubs to detergents. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has assured the public that Japan holds a four‑month supply, but industry...
$250 Million Olkaria VII Geothermal Power Project Stalls Amid Donor Funding Dispute
The $250 million (≈ $291 million KES) Olkaria VII geothermal project in Naivasha, Kenya, has been stalled after the European Investment Bank refused to issue a “no objection” for a key consultancy tender. The 80.3 MW plant, slated for completion by 2027, saw its...
Wholesale Diesel $2 Cheaper—Truck Stops Won’t Pass Savings
The spread of retail to wholesale fuel is almost $2.00 a gallon. This is the second-highest spread we have ever measured. What this means: Large carriers buy their fuel on wholesale rack arrangements and pay a floating index price (OPIS)....
Rotterdam Bunker Volumes Fall as Fossil Fuels Drive Decline
Bunker sales at the Port of Rotterdam fell about 25% in Q1 2026 versus the same period a year earlier, driven primarily by a sharp drop in fossil fuel deliveries. Very‑low‑sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) plunged 44%, while high‑sulphur fuel oil (HSFO)...
Inside the Race to Control the World’s Lithium Supply
Lithium production has exploded from 31,500 tonnes in 2015 to an estimated 290,000 tonnes in 2025, fueling a $150 billion battery market that grew 20% year‑over‑year. China now dominates both mining and refining, projected to control roughly half of the global lithium market...
Why Oil Prices Spike Before Supply Breaks (Strait of Hormuz Explained)
Oil prices often surge before any physical disruption in the Strait of Hormuz because market participants price the perceived risk of delayed or rerouted shipments. Recent Iranian military tightening and vessel warnings have heightened uncertainty, prompting insurers to raise premiums...
Iran’s Hormuz Whiplash Highlights Divide Within Regime as U.S. Blockade Tightens. ‘The Fight Between Different Factions Has Started’
Iran’s military announced the Strait of Hormuz closed again after a day of contradictory statements from the foreign ministry and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The IRGC publicly rebuked Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s claim that the waterway was fully...
Decoupling Kinetic and Shuttle Limitations in Li─S Batteries Enabled by Temperature Responsive Functional Interlayer
Researchers have introduced a temperature‑responsive Ti3C2Tx MXene interlayer for lithium‑sulfur batteries that adapts its function across −10 °C to 55 °C. At low temperatures it catalyzes Li2S nucleation, boosting redox kinetics, while at high temperatures it strongly binds polysulfides to suppress shuttle....
Interfacial Nano‐Pitting and In Situ Sulfate‐Directed Growth of Na2.85V2(PO4)2.85(SO4)0.15 Nanodots on MWCNT for Ultrafast Sodium‐Ion Storage
Researchers introduced an ultracentrifugation‑assisted phosphate‑sulfate pretreatment that nano‑pits multi‑walled carbon nanotubes, creating confined sites for in‑situ growth of Na2.85V2(PO4)2.85(SO4)0.15 nanodots. The resulting nanodot‑carbon interface delivers strong electronic coupling and short sodium‑ion pathways, enabling capacitor‑like storage at ultrafast rates up to...
Iran's Hormuz Threat Sparks Global Energy Equipment Shortage
Iran warned it will shut the Strait of Hormuz if the U.S. blockade continues, prompting markets to brace for a cut in about 20% of global oil transit. The disruption has already tightened supply chains for oil‑field equipment, spare parts...
Traders Bet $760 Million on Oil Decline Ahead of Iran’s Hormuz Announcement
Traders collectively placed $760 million in short positions on oil futures and options ahead of an expected Iranian announcement regarding the Strait of Hormuz. The bet reflects market anxiety over potential supply disruptions and underscores the role of derivatives in managing...
IRENA Report Calls for Accelerated Renewables to Secure Energy Amid Global Crisis
The International Renewable Energy Agency released a policy advisory warning that strategic renewable deployment is essential for energy security. The brief notes 692 GW of new renewable capacity in 2025 and that more than 85% of new projects are now cheaper...
Supreme Court Sends $745 Million Louisiana Verdict to Federal Court, Upholding Chevron
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 8‑0 that a $745 million verdict against Chevron for World War II‑era coastal wetland damage must be heard in federal court. The decision lets Chevron appeal the judgment and signals a shift in how environmental liability suits...
Asian Currencies Squeezed by US‑Israel‑Iran Conflict as Oil and LNG Prices Spike
The escalation of the US‑Israel‑Iran conflict has pushed oil to $110‑$116 a barrel and LNG up 143%, triggering inflation, industrial slowdown and sharp foreign‑exchange pressure across Asia. Central banks in Japan, South Korea and the Philippines face tighter conditions as...
Northwestern Chemists Convert Methane to Methanol in Single-Step Plasma Process
Researchers at Northwestern University have demonstrated a single‑step conversion of methane to methanol using high‑voltage plasma bubbles, copper‑oxide catalyst and water. The method bypasses the traditional 800 °C, 200‑300 atm steam‑reforming route, offering a potentially lower‑cost, lower‑emission pathway for a chemical that...
Asian Markets Split as Nikkei, Hang Seng and KOSPI Drop on Falling Oil After US‑Iran Ceasefire Hopes
Japan's Nikkei 225, Hong Kong's Hang Seng and South Korea's KOSPI all posted losses on Friday, dragged by a 7.5% plunge in Brent crude after a tentative US‑Iran ceasefire. The divergent equity moves highlight how quickly Asian markets react to...
China Completes First Water‑fuelled Turboprop Test Flight, 16‑minute Demo
China’s Aero Engine Corporation (AECC) successfully flew a 7.5‑tonne unmanned cargo aircraft powered by its AEP100 hydrogen‑burning turboprop at Zhuzhou Airport, completing a 16‑minute, 36‑km flight at 300 m altitude and 220 km/h. The test demonstrates the first megawatt‑class water‑fuel engine in...
Two Indian-Flagged Ships Attacked While Crossing Strait of Hormuz, Government Confirms
India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that two Indian‑flagged crude‑oil tankers were attacked while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on April 18. The incidents prompted India to summon Iran’s ambassador in New Delhi for a high‑level meeting. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri...
Thousands Protest in Germany Urging Faster Green Shift, Amid Iran War
Thousands took to the streets in Berlin, Cologne, Hamburg and Munich on April 18, demanding a faster transition to renewable energy. Organisers claim about 80,000 participants nationwide, while police estimates are lower. Protesters blamed Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s centre‑right coalition and Economy...
Product Tankers Exit Hormuz Amid Iran U‑turn
Three clean oil product tankers successfully exited the Strait of Hormuz on April 18 despite Iran abruptly reversing its earlier pledge to keep the waterway open for managed passage. All three vessels are flagged as high sanctions‑risk by Windward, yet...
Iran-Krieg: Straße Von Hormus: Welche Fragen Sich Jetzt Stellen
Iran announced it would reopen the Strait of Hormuz just before the cease‑fire was set to expire, then reversed the decision hours later, blaming the U.S. naval blockade. President Trump downplayed the move, saying negotiations were proceeding well, while the...
Some Key Notes on the Strait of Hormuz Standoff
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) re‑closed the Strait of Hormuz, overriding the civilian government’s position. The post highlights Iran’s fragmented power structure—an ayatollah, a civilian administration, and a semi‑autonomous IRGC—making coherent policy difficult. It argues that the U.S. Navy’s...
Iran's Hormuz Control Threatens Global Energy Security
Security of Global Energy System Hinges on Iran If Iran asserts sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, the dominoes begin to fall as other supply chokepoints are contested. PS - This morning, Iran resumed control of tanker traffic in the Strait #iranwar https://markhamhislop.substack.com/p/security-of-global-energy-system
New Mexico Wind Project Powers California, Boosting 100% Renewable Goal
Largest renewable project in U.S. history - 3.5 GW of wind in New Mexico - begins delivering power to California and Arizona. @CaliforniaISO has taken operational control - will count as in-state wind Will speed up California's push for 100% WindWaterSolar https://www.eenews.net/articles/largest-us-renewable-project-begins-generating-electricity/
Strait of Hormuz Shut, US Blockade Intensifies, and Gunfire Reported
The Strait of Hormuz was abruptly closed after Iranian Revolutionary Guard gunships attacked a tanker and a cargo vessel, prompting the UK military to confirm the incidents. The United States responded with an intensified naval blockade while President Biden signaled...
China’s EV Surge Fuels Bullish Lithium Outlook
China’s EV production capacity: >20 million vehicles/year Actual EV production (2024): ~12.9 million China exported >1.2 million EVs in 2024 Everyone should go long Lithium…
Physical‑sector Stocks Must Dominate the S&P, New IPOs Needed
Such a good episode from @ArjunNMurti. Some comments from my side. I totally agree that the physical world (energy, mining, industrials) have to be a much bigger part of the S&P. I think that requires more companies to go public....
Solar PV Capex Projected to Hit $192/kW by 2050
Solar PV Capex could fall to $192/kW by 2050 #energysky -- via pv magazine global: https://t.co/AQ9uTK6EVs
Akaysha Partners with Copenhagen Energy for German Mega‑scale Battery Storage
Akaysha inks deal with Copenhagen Energy for ‘mega-scale’ battery storage projects in Germany #energysky -- via Energy Storage News: https://t.co/Mt14pSVfwS
Elasticity Fuels Wild Commodity Bull Market
A top bull market in commodities is elasticity. The front US natural gas future made an up about 100% to down 30% round turn in 1Q. Crude oil may be next. https://t.co/f9xXlI5GLv
Solar Surge: Pakistan Leads, Africa Booms, Yet Untapped
Pakistan is now generating most of its energy via solar. Solar is exploding across Africa. For context we are only using one ten-thousandth of the solar energy that hits earth right now.
Dust Storms Curb Southern Europe's Solar; Central Europe Leads
Dust, storms drag southern European solar as central regions outperform in March #energysky -- via pv magazine global: https://t.co/pP23TB8i4Y https://t.co/7XDZAUjEhK
Iran Shifts Tactics: Stock Manipulation Over Oil, Gunboats Attack
Can Iranians be pumping and dumping stocks instead of oil? Iranian gunboats fire on tanker after Strait of Hormuz closed again.
Pennsylvania Turns Abandoned Wells Into Renewable Geothermal Power
Pennsylvania has up to 750,000 of inactive oil and gas wells. Now the state will use some of those wells to build a clean, renewable electricity source, enhanced geothermal. https://t.co/SGBLc8g4ck More on EGS https://t.co/yt6XQ52tPW
Bipartisan Corn Ethanol Support Harms Economy and Environment
I feel like the ongoing bipartisan support for corn based ethanol is bad economically and environmentally and should end.
Tesla's Sub‑cent Per‑mile Claim Ignores Real Costs
--it's a choice at this point to continue posting nonsense. --tesla owned charging infrastructure would cost less than 1c per mile when amortized. $TSLA --here is a link to the model and you can adjust the assumptions https://t.co/P0lhVlfDYw https://t.co/G0pGeXnA12
Synergy Proposes 1GW Tathra Wind Farm with 500MW BESS
Synergy submits 1GW Tathra Wind Farm with 500MW BESS to Australia’s EPBC Act #energysky -- via Energy Storage News: https://t.co/Xa0MJI4rHz
Iran's New Maritime Regime Undermines “Open Hormuz” Claim
Hormuz is anything but “open”, like I said yesterday during market hours. Fresh Attacks Shatter ‘Open Hormuz’ Narrative as Iran Pushes New Maritime Regime https://t.co/7PMz5tYFgd
Solar Powers 75% of Renewables, Nearing Half Global Capacity
Renewables just hit 49.4% of global electricity capacity. 5.15 terawatts. Solar drove 75% of the new additions. Some people thought it was impossible.
Smart Grids Could Cut Bills 10%—Will Politics Allow?
Communities are pushing back on data centers—and they’re right. Utilities raised budgets 40% for AI capacity we can’t find chips for. We could cut bills 10% with smarter grids, batteries, and flexible data centers. Tech exists. Political will doesn’t—yet https://t.co/3SbcUY9uZs
Oil Prices Likely Stay Above $80 Amid Iran Conflict
$USOIL - Closed the week below the 10 week MA confirming that it made an intermediate term top in early March. Crude oil prices are likely to remain elevated(above $80) as long as the conflict with Iran isn't solved. https://t.co/BicUp8rpN4