Today's Energy Pulse
Policy ambiguity stalls Germany's battery storage growth
German BESS developers say unclear regulations are hampering expansion even after the government granted grid‑fee exemptions through 2029. The absence of a legal definition forces operators to shoulder multiple taxes and levies, creating financing uncertainty for projects.
Also developing:
By the numbers: FuelCell Energy raises $156.6M in secondary share offering
Mercedes and Samsung SDI Sign First EV Battery Supply Deal
Mercedes‑Benz has signed a multi‑year agreement with Samsung SDI to source EV batteries for its upcoming compact and midsize models. The contract, valued at over 10 trillion won (approximately $7.7 bn), also includes joint development of next‑generation battery technology. Samsung SDI will supply high‑nickel NCM cells, aiming to boost range and durability while helping Mercedes deliver more affordable premium EVs in Europe. The deal expands Samsung SDI’s European automotive presence, joining existing partnerships with BMW, Volvo and Jaguar Land Rover.
UK Startup Rivan Raises €28.7 Million to Scale Domestic Synthetic Fuel Production in Europe
UK‑based Rivan announced a €28.7 million (≈$31 million) Series A round led by IQ Capital to accelerate its synthetic fuel platform. The funding follows a €11.4 million seed raise and will back the commissioning of a 15 MW synthetic natural gas (SNG) plant in Wiltshire...
Total Boss Rules Out Three More Offshore Wind Markets After US Exit
TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanné announced the company will not develop offshore wind projects in three additional major markets, following its withdrawal from the U.S. offshore wind sector earlier this year. The decision narrows TotalEnergies' offshore wind pipeline to a handful of...
Weak Corn, Soybean Markets Threaten Crude's $100 Barrier
Crude Breaks Stuff Above $100; $80 Initial Support Crude oil's red 2Q candle to April 17 may have a greater tendency to deepen if corn and soybeans are guides. My graphic highlights a big difference from the last three times WTI...
Green vs Baseload: The Most Suitable Energy for a Developing Country?
In a Cirrus Investor Conference speech, Namibia’s energy chief warned that the green‑versus‑baseload debate is far from simple for developing nations. With only about 50% of the population electrified and rural access lagging behind 70‑80%, the country relies heavily on...
Sweden Backs Nuclear Expansion Plan
Sweden’s government has proposed buying a 60 % stake in Videberg Kraft, the developer of a new nuclear complex near Ringhals, with an initial $195 million capital injection. The plan is part of an energy roadmap targeting ten new reactors by 2045 to...
Fraunhofer IWES Completes Liivi Survey for Enefit
Fraunhofer IWES has wrapped a 14‑month metocean and wind measurement campaign in Liivi Bay, Estonia, for Enefit’s offshore wind farm project. The effort employed a Stage 3+ floating lidar buoy equipped with high‑frequency turbulence‑intensity sensors and oceanographic instruments, marking the first...
VSUN Solar Modules Detained Under UFLPA, Could Knock US$30 Million Off Company Earnings
U.S. Customs and Border Protection detained solar modules from Vietnam‑based VSUN under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, prompting its Japanese parent Abalance to forecast a hit of roughly $18‑31 million to annual earnings. The company is contesting the detention, asserting...
Wind Is Pushing Nova Scotia’s Green Revolution
EverWind Fuels, backed by a $175 mn Nuveen investment, is set to develop 650 MW of onshore wind capacity in Nova Scotia, with construction slated for this year. The generated electricity will initially feed the grid before powering electrolysis to produce green...
Apple Avoids Over 26 Million Tons of Emissions Through Use of Clean Energy in Supply Chain
Apple’s 2025 Environmental Progress Report shows its supplier‑clean‑energy program grew renewable capacity to 20.7 GW, a 10% rise from the prior year and more than double the 2021 level. The expanded clean‑energy procurement avoided over 26 million metric tons of CO₂e, with...
Nel ASA Shares Rise: Nel ASA Receives Million-Euro Order for Containerized PEM Electrolyzers in Europe
Nel ASA’s U.S. arm, Nel Hydrogen US, secured a roughly $7 million contract to supply containerized PEM electrolyzers to Mesure Process, a Synqo Energies subsidiary, for a European hydrogen project slated for 2027 commissioning. The order marks a repeat purchase from the same...
Dajin Expands Offshore Wind Logistics Fleet with KING TWO Launch
Dajin Heavy Industry launched its 40,000 DWT deck carrier KING TWO at the Panjin shipyard on April 19. The 239.8‑meter vessel provides a 12,000 m² deck, dual engines, 13‑knot speed and a 16,000‑nautical‑mile range, designed to haul 15‑25 MW offshore wind components. It follows the...
Trump Orders US Navy to Seize Iranian Cargo Ship, Escalating Strait of Hormuz Tensions
President Donald Trump announced the US Navy seized the Iranian‑flagged cargo ship Touska in the Gulf of Oman, blowing a hole in its engine room and taking the vessel under Marine custody. The action deepens the blockade of the Strait...
5 Big Energy Stories - 4.20.2026: Here We Go Again
Oil markets surged as the Strait of Hormuz repeatedly opened and closed, pushing Brent crude into the mid‑$90s and WTI back into the high $80s. President Trump’s mixed signals—promising a cease‑fire with Iran while threatening to destroy its power infrastructure—added...
President Trump Says Gas Prices ‘Not Very High’
President Donald Trump told reporters that current gasoline prices are “not very high,” even as U.S. drivers face an average increase of more than $1 per gallon—a roughly 33% jump since the Iran‑related conflict began. A recent CBS poll shows...
TGS Extends Multi-Year OBN Engagement in Gulf of America
TGS announced a three‑year extension of its proprietary Ocean Bottom Node (OBN) acquisition contract in the Gulf of America. The multi‑year deal, originally launched several years ago, secures continuous seismic data collection for a major regional producer. CEO Kristian Johansen...
Oil Shock Muddies Rate Path, but Loonie Seen Gaining Ground: TD Economics
TD Economics warns that renewed oil market turbulence is reviving inflation risks, keeping bond yields above pre‑crisis levels and clouding the path for central‑bank rate cuts. The firm expects the Canadian dollar to benefit from a narrowing US‑Canada rate gap,...
Singapore Jet Fuel Doubles, Squeezing Un‑hedged Airlines
SINGAPORE jet fuel prices have doubled to an average around $166 per barrel so far in April compared with $82 in January. Fuel is one of the three largest costs for passenger airlines (together with crew labour and capital) so...
Joining Bloomberg TV to Discuss Iran Oil Developments
I’ll be on @BloombergTV Surveillance in a few to discuss #Iran #oil and the latest with @annmarie @lisaabramowicz1 & @FerroTV #oott https://t.co/2dEIjcL92p
Iberdrola Raises Generation Capacity to Nearly 59GW
Iberdrola reported an installed generation capacity of 58.9 GW at the end of Q1 2026, a 3.8% increase year‑over‑year. The U.S. portfolio contributed the largest regional boost with 693 MW, while battery storage surged 158% to 683 MW. Offshore wind and solar capacities...
Southeast Asia Scrambles for Supply as Crisis Tests Regional Unity
Petronas announced the receipt of a rare Iraqi crude cargo at its Pengerang refining hub, signaling a strategic move to shore up supplies as Middle East oil flows remain disrupted. The delivery comes amid a broader scramble by Southeast Asian...
Trump Announces U.S. Negotiators to Fly to Pakistan for Iran Talks Amid Strait of Hormuz Standoff
President Donald Trump announced that a U.S. delegation will travel to Pakistan on Monday for a second round of face‑to‑face talks with Iran. The move comes as Tehran accuses Washington of “maximalist” demands and the Strait of Hormuz blockade threatens...
Trump’s Approval Slumps to 37% as War Drives Oil Above $90 and Gas Near $4
A new NBC News Decision Desk poll puts President Donald Trump’s approval at 37%, the lowest point of his second term. The dip follows a war‑driven surge in crude oil to over $90 a barrel and U.S. gasoline hovering just...
Hitachi Energy to Supply Automation Solutions for RWE Wind Project
Hitachi Energy has won a contract to supply its MicroSCADA automation system for the 900 MW Nordseecluster B offshore wind project in Germany, operated by RWE and Norges Bank Investment Management. The solution will connect 60 turbines directly to the offshore converter...
Hitachi Energy to Supply Automation Solutions for RWE Wind Project
Hitachi Energy has secured a contract to supply its MicroSCADA automation system for RWE’s 900 MW Nordseecluster B offshore wind project in Germany. The solution will connect 60 turbines directly to the offshore converter station, enabling power transmission to shore when the...
Iran Keeps Strait of Hormuz Shut, Blames U.S. Blockade Amid Rising Oil Prices
Iran has kept the Strait of Hormuz closed, accusing Washington of a naval blockade that is choking oil shipments. The disruption is already inflating fuel prices in Kenya and rattling European equity markets, while diplomatic talks in Islamabad stall.
Kenyan Fuel Prices Spike as Hormuz Disruption Squeezes Stocks, Gold Slides on US‑Iran Tensions
Kenya’s Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi warned that limited fuel stocks – 138,623 mt of petrol for just 16 days – are under pressure after disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz drove global pump prices higher. At the same time, spot...
Tesla's Energy Storage Division to Pick up Slack as Car Margins Drop and Credits Fade
Tesla’s energy and solar division is set to outpace its struggling automotive segment in the upcoming quarterly report, as the company confronts shrinking vehicle margins and a steep decline in regulatory‑credit revenue. CEO Elon Musk’s $20 billion investment in new assembly...
European VC Surge: 75+ Deals Deploy Over $2 B in Week, Cleantech Leads
European venture capital activity jumped last week as more than 75 tech deals raised over €1.9 billion ($2.05 billion). Cleantech captured €1.2 billion ($1.30 billion) of that pool, while Sweden, the United Kingdom and Germany posted the highest regional totals.
Maybe It Wasn’t Such a Hot Idea to Turn Libya Into a Failed State: 2026 Shortages Edition
Europe faces imminent jet‑fuel shortages as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, forcing the bloc to look again at North African supplies. Libya, once a reliable source of 1.65 million barrels per day of light crude and sizable gas exports, has...
New Solar Project Will Help Power California's Most Powerful Water Plant
The California Department of Water Resources has signed a 20‑year power‑purchase agreement for the 105‑megawatt Pastoria Solar Project, located two miles from the Edmonston Pumping Plant that can draw up to 800 MW of electricity. The solar farm, paired with an...
Energy Demand Falls Globally as Solar Boom Continues
Global energy demand in 2025 slowed to a 1.3% increase, well under the decade’s average, while electricity consumption surged about 3%, driven by electrification trends. Solar photovoltaic power emerged as the top contributor to energy supply growth, accounting for more...
SEforALL Reaffirms Commitment to Madagascar’s Energy Goals
Delighted to meet Mamitiana Rajaonarison, Prime Minister of Madagascar. We had a productive discussion on #Madagascar’s energy priorities and how to accelerate progress under #Mission300. I reaffirmed @SEforALLorg’s commitment to supporting the country’s development goals. https://t.co/9BByg6DWTN
Chinese Chemical Producer Hengyi’s Profit Jumps 40-Fold on Iran War
Hengyi Petrochemical reported a 3,773% jump in first‑quarter net profit to $291.5 million, driven by soaring oil prices after the Iran‑Israel conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Revenue rose 10.2% to $4.4 billion, while inventory values increased 40% to...
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Iran MP Plans for Strategic Management of Strait of Hormuz Using the Rial
Iran's parliamentary infrastructure commission chair announced a proposal to control transit through the Strait of Hormuz by banning Israeli‑linked and "hostile" vessels and requiring all permitted ships to pay guidance and security fees in Iranian rials. The plan also allows...
Inside Independent Oil Business: Costs, Price Sweet Spot, Ladnman Reality
NEW ODD LOTS: The truth about running an independent oil and gas biz @tracyalloway and I talk to @Jack_McClendon, CEO of Siena Natural Resources, about rising costs, the sweet spot for oil prices, and how realistic the show Ladnman really is. https://t.co/Wcl305efUH
MPLX: Boasting Strong ROIC As Distribution Growth Could Accelerate
MPLX LP, Marathon Petroleum’s midstream subsidiary, delivers a 7.71% dividend yield and an impressive 18.2% internal cash ROIC, underscoring its capital efficiency. The firm’s 2025 capex plan of $2.4 billion is 90% focused on natural‑gas and NGL services, targeting mid‑teen returns...
Siemens and Vulcan Partner on German Lithium Energy Project
Siemens and Vulcan Energy have signed a framework agreement for the Lionheart lithium‑hydroxide project in Germany’s Upper Rhine Valley. The deal makes Siemens the preferred supplier of automation, digital‑twin and data‑analytics technologies through 2035 and includes a 10‑year technology supply...
Growing AI Power Slurpage Prompts MPs to Examine Low-Energy Computing
British MPs have launched a short‑term inquiry into low‑energy computing to curb the soaring electricity demand of AI‑driven datacentres. The Science, Innovation and Technology Committee is examining emerging chip designs such as neuromorphic computing and silicon photonics, which promise far...
Oil Prices Jump On Renewed US-Iran Tensions
Oil prices surged over 5% on Monday as U.S.-Iran diplomatic talks stalled, pushing Brent crude above $96 a barrel and WTI futures to $87.80. The dollar strengthened to a one‑week high while the Strait of Hormuz remained closed, tightening global...
'Wind Farm' Built on Donald Trump's Favourite Golf Course
Greenpeace activists installed six 10‑foot mock wind turbines on a green at the Trump Turnberry Golf Club in Scotland, staging a visual protest against President Donald Trump’s anti‑renewables stance. The stunt references Trump’s previous legal fight against a Vattenfall wind...
Why Gas Prices Go Up Fast and Take So Long to Fall
Gasoline wholesale prices surged 39.6% in a week, pushing the rack price to $3.35 per gallon and prompting station owners to raise retail pump prices by roughly 34% to $3.88. The cost of a full truckload for a typical New...
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...
The Grid Is Under Pressure From Two Directions. Your Customers Own the Answer.
U.S. utilities face a dual grid squeeze: AI‑driven data centers are pushing peak load forecasts up sevenfold since 2022, while rapid EV adoption threatens local transformer capacity. Traditional "build more" responses are hampered by long interconnection queues, regulatory pressure, and...
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...
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
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...