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:
US Ambassador Meets Oil Minister Puri over Expanding Energy Purchases
U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor met with Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri to discuss expanding American energy supplies to New Delhi. The talks come as India has accelerated imports of U.S. LPG and LNG following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Both officials highlighted the partnership’s role in bolstering energy security and reducing India’s trade deficit with the United States. Analysts see the move as a strategic response to shifting geopolitics and a push for supply‑chain diversification.
US CENTCOM Says Blockade of Iranian Ports Halts 90% of Sea Trade
U.S. Central Command announced that its naval blockade of Iran’s ports is fully operational, halting virtually all sea‑borne trade within 36 hours. The move, backed by more than 10,000 troops and dozens of warships, threatens a key conduit for world...
Distributed Power Beats Gas Peakers for Data Centers
Today on Volts: I talk with my old friend Jigar Shah about the headlong rush to build data centers, the lunacy of building a bunch of behind-the-meter gas-fired power plants to run them, the benefits of distributed capacity & greater...
JinkoSolar Launches Integrated PV‑plus‑ESS System to Power AI Data Centers 24/7
JinkoSolar and its subsidiary Jinko ESS announced a fully integrated photovoltaic‑plus‑energy‑storage solution built for artificial‑intelligence data centers. The system, showcased at the 14th Energy Storage International Conference, combines SunTera batteries with AI‑dedicated PV modules and includes a 25 MW/200 MWh pilot at...
Episode 442: Poland Bets on LNG and Tariff Reform to Strengthen CEE Gas Hub Status
Poland’s gas transmission operator, Gas System, is positioning the country as a central hub for Central and Eastern European (CEE) gas supplies by expanding LNG import capacity, unifying tariffs, and strengthening cross‑border corridors such as the Baltic Sea and Amber...
Aiding Piped Gas Push
The Israel‑Iran conflict disrupted global fuel flows, prompting an LPG shortage in India. The government issued the Natural Gas and Petroleum Products Distribution Order 2026, mandating a 25% boost in LPG output and a 25‑day inter‑booking period to curb hoarding, while...
Microsoft Sets 2030 Carbon‑Negative Roadmap Amid AI‑Driven Emissions Surge
Microsoft unveiled a detailed roadmap to become carbon‑negative by 2030 while pausing new carbon‑removal credit purchases. The plan comes as AI‑driven data‑center emissions rose 23.4% in 2024, creating tension between growth ambitions and climate goals.
Mark Mills: Strait of Hormuz and Global Trade
War between the United States‑Israel coalition and Iran has forced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint between Oman and Iran. The strait handles roughly 15 million barrels of crude oil each day, along with sizable volumes...
Is America on the Verge of a Nuclear Renaissance?
The Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act, signed in 2019, finally saw the NRC issue its implementing rule in 2026 after a seven‑year delay, stalling many proposed reactors. The lag has eroded utility confidence and allowed competing clean‑energy sources to...
Oil Prices Coming Down, But for a Worrisome Reason
The International Energy Agency (IEA) warns that "demand destruction" is now unfolding as oil prices soar to record levels. The recent partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which handles about 20% of global oil shipments, has tightened supply and...
Environmental Disaster Looming From Renewables
The article argues that the 25‑year, $10 trillion push for wind and solar power represents a strategic misstep. It claims that despite massive public and private spending, the outcomes have been politically divisive and economically disappointing. The piece frames renewables as...
OKLO’s Pipeline and Cash Boost Hope Despite Execution Risk
Someone on Reddit asked "is there any hope for $OKLO ?" It's up 9% today Quick fundamental check: - 14 GW signed customer pipeline (Switch, Meta, Equinix) - $1.23B cash with minimal debt - Board just got overhauled with nuclear/energy veterans - Pre-revenue but funded through...
New Documents Add to Doubt Over Trump’s Deal With TotalEnergies
A newly released Interior Department decision shows the agency intends to pay TotalEnergies $133 million from the federal Judgment Fund to settle the cancellation of the Carolina Long Bay offshore wind lease. The document, dated April 9, 2026, contradicts earlier statements that the...
Prepaid Leases Emerge as Residential Solar Customer Pathway to Accessing Federal Tax Credits
The residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) has expired, prompting installers to adopt prepaid lease models that leverage the commercial Section 48 Investment Tax Credit. In a prepaid lease, the solar provider owns the system, claims the 30 percent commercial credit, and passes...
The US Government Will Ask Data Centers How Much Power They Use
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) will roll out a mandatory nationwide survey of data centers to capture detailed energy‑use data, following a letter to Senators Warren and Hawley. A pilot phase is already underway in Texas, Washington state, and...
Japan Vows $10bn to Help Southeast Asia Procure Oil Amid Iran War
Japan announced a $10 billion (≈¥1.6 trillion) “Power Asia” initiative to help Southeast Asian nations procure crude oil amid the Iran‑related conflict that has spiked global prices. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the funding, channelled through state‑backed banks such as JBIC and...
Solve the Electrification Equation (BOMA 2026 Preview)
The 2026 BOMA International Conference & Expo will host a panel on building electrification, moderated by JLL’s Josh Toothman and featuring leaders from MetLife, Leading Edge Consulting, Southern California Edison, and BXP. Panelists will dissect the financial, regulatory, and technical...
Tigo’s Smallest Inverter Can Now Adjust Its AC Output to Repower Legacy Solar Systems
Tigo Energy has extended its Inverter Power Output Control (IPOC) software to the 3.8‑kW EI inverter, targeting smaller residential solar installations that face utility or permitting limits. The new capability lets installers derate the inverter’s AC output during commissioning, matching...
Canada’s Electrification Lag Threatens Economic Competitiveness
An Electrified Canadian Economy is a More Competitive Economy But Canada is falling behind. Interview with Victor Jacquet (Concordia). Follow for thoughtful energy journalism. Share if it’s useful. https://youtu.be/1D-AbRn8VoM
‘Act Now and Invest Wisely’: Inside UKGBC’s Retrofit Recommendations for Decarbonising Commercial Buildings
The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) has released a set of retrofit recommendations aimed at slashing emissions from the nation’s existing commercial building stock. With buildings responsible for roughly a quarter of the UK’s greenhouse‑gas output, the sector must cut...
'It's Getting Scary': Rising Gas Prices Bring Frustration to Houston Residents
Rising gasoline prices in Houston have jumped 4.4¢ per gallon in a week, pushing a typical fill‑up from about $40 to over $60. The increase comes as the Iran‑Houthi conflict shuts the Strait of Hormuz, prompting record U.S. oil exports...
How Big Oil Is Cashing in on Iran War - The Latest
The world’s 100 largest oil and gas companies generated more than $30 million per hour in unearned profit during the first month of the US‑Israeli war on Iran. Crude prices averaged $100 a barrel in March, driving an estimated $23 billion windfall...
An Outdated FERC Policy Is Undermining the White House’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge
Data‑center developers pledged to the White House to pay for all new power‑delivery infrastructure, but utilities are rolling billions of dollars of transmission upgrades into rates that all customers share. The practice relies on FERC’s 1994 transmission pricing policy, which...
Iberdrola Reaches 400MW in Italy with Acquisition of Lazio Solar Plant
Iberdrola is acquiring a 42 MW solar PV plant in Lazio, Italy, raising its Italian solar portfolio to 400 MW. The newly bought asset, commissioned less than six months ago, is covered by long‑term power purchase agreements that guarantee stable cash flows....
How Energy Productivity Can Unlock $15trn in Energy Savings for Heavy Industries
A new Energy Transition Commission and Mission Possible Partnership report estimates that boosting energy productivity across six heavy‑industry sectors could unlock up to $15 trillion in energy savings by 2050. The analysis shows that measures such as aluminium recycling, plastic‑bottle reuse,...
Virginia Passes Law to Add 625MW of New Community Solar Capacity by 2028
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger signed four bills that will add 625 MW of new community‑solar capacity statewide by 2028. Dominion Energy must deliver an extra 525 MW by July 2024, with a portion reserved for low‑income customers, while Appalachian Power will roll out...
Up over 650% in 5 Years! Multibagger Metal Stock to Be in Focus on Thursday. Here’s Why
Godawari Power and Ispat Limited (GPIL) announced a fresh equity infusion of ₹50 crore (≈ $6 million) into its wholly‑owned subsidiary Godawari New Energy Private Limited to fund a 20 GWh battery energy storage plant. The capital boost raises GPIL’s total stake in the...
US Petroleum Inventories Drop 9M Barrels, Crude Rally Stalls
US total commercial petroleum stocks fell by 9 million barrels last week. Crude was down by 0.9 MMbbl, gasoline by 6.3 MMbbl, and diesel by 3.2 MMbbl. Crude had been building faster than usual over the past month and appears to now...
Kroenig Interviewed on CNN on the Blockade of the Straight of Hormuz
Atlantic Council Vice President Matthew Kroenig appeared on CNN on April 14 to discuss the United States’ decision to block the Strait of Hormuz. He framed the move as a strategic deterrent aimed at curbing Iran’s hostile behavior in the...
How Sonnedix Secured Capacity in Italy’s ‘Crucial’ FER X Auction
Spanish renewable developer Sonnedix secured a substantial block of capacity in Italy’s FER X auction, a key mechanism for allocating new renewable projects. The company was awarded roughly 550 MW of solar and wind assets at an average price of about €70...
Texas Petroleum Theft Task Force Holds Meeting
The Texas Railroad Commission’s petroleum theft task force (STOPTheft) convened its second quarterly meeting in Midland on April 2, focusing on expanding its investigative scope beyond crude to include stolen trucks, tools, and copper. The group, created under Senate Bill 494, aims...
Stena Drilling’s Drillship Finds Job in Greece
Stena Drilling has secured an exploratory drilling contract for its 2008‑built drillship Stena DrillMAX with Energean Hellas, marking Greece’s first deep‑water offshore well. The well, slated for early 2027 in Block 2 of the Northwestern Ionian Sea, will require managed pressure drilling....
US Oil Production Hits Record High Amid Hormuz Blockade
CHART OF THE DAY: The barrel of last resort. US total crude oil and refined petroleum products have surged to an all-time high of >12.7 million b/d. (And further highs are likely over the next few weeks as everyone turns...
UGL Progresses 2.1 GWh Neoen Battery Project in Australia
UGL advances construction on 2.1GWh of battery storage for Neoen across two Australian states #energysky -- via Energy Storage News: https://t.co/c5dlRLHS5m
How Efficiency Measures Could Almost Halve Industrial Energy Demand Globally
A new study finds that implementing existing efficiency measures could cut industrial energy demand by up to 45%, saving about $15 trillion in capital spending through 2050. The analysis covers steel, cement, chemicals and other heavy manufacturing, showing that upgrades, waste‑heat...
U.S. Community Solar Hits 10 GW Amid Contraction
U.S. community solar passes 10 GW milestone despite market contraction #energysky -- via pv magazine usa: https://t.co/h4GQQW3z4p
Shale Drilling Needs 18‑24‑month Price Certainty, Not Just High Oil
Higher oil price ≠ more shale drilling @WindsorSe7en What matters is 18–24 month price visibility The forward curve isn’t exactly screaming “drill”
Construction Begins for Transco Gas Pipeline Expansion
Williams Companies broke ground on the Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) project, expanding the Transco natural‑gas pipeline by 400,000 dekatherms per day. The 10,000‑mile system, which already moves 19.5 million dekatherms daily, will serve roughly 2.3 million homes in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania...
Self‑Tracking Solar Panels Boost Efficiency Automatically
Next-Gen Solar Panels That Track the Sun Automatically by @XueJia24682 #Innovation #Sustainability #CleanEnergy #Technology https://t.co/dacGpcqiPh
Tigo's Mini Inverter Revives Legacy Solar Systems
Tigo’s smallest inverter can now adjust its AC output to repower legacy solar systems #energysky -- via Solar Power World: https://t.co/DWPwDrcgpD
Bangladesh at the Crossroads: Renewables or Imported Fuel Chaos
Bangladesh, which imports roughly 60% of its energy, is feeling the squeeze of soaring global oil, coal and LNG prices triggered by the Israel‑Iran conflict. The newly elected government faces a looming $4.8 billion jump in annual fuel‑import costs and a...
Third Battery Stage Begins, Adding 312 Tesla Megapacks
Construction and concrete pours begin on third stage of massive battery, adding another 312 Tesla Megapacks #energysky -- via Renew Economy: https://t.co/0MoRLztKGz https://t.co/Djyf8Vf6jn
Chinese Navy Escorting Iranian Oil Tests US Resolve
What happens if the Chinese navy escorts its purchases of Iranian oil out of the Gulf? Does the U.S. fire—or fold? That’s the risk baked into this blockade. #Oil #Geopolitics #Energy https://t.co/E9QhehmmvD
Residential Solar Installer Freedom Forever Files Bankruptcy
Freedom Forever, the top residential solar contractor by kilowatts installed, filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Delaware. The company listed assets between $100 million and $500 million and liabilities ranging from $500 million to $1 billion, with Mosaic Funding claiming nearly $120 million. Founded in 2011, Freedom...
Iran Views Closed Strait as Leverage Amid Time‑Wasting Crisis
From Iran's perspective keeping the Strait closed for a full month while not being actively bombed is an ideal position from which to continue building steady leverage. Truly hope this ends soon, but, again, this remains a crisis of lost time—and...
Supply Gap Emerging as Last Hormuz Tankers Arrive
The tanker companies I spoke to last week confirmed that the last vessels that moved out of the Strait of Hormuz before the closure have reached their destinations at the end of March -- meaning the real supply gap is...
U.S. Community Solar Passes 10 GW Milestone Despite Market Contraction
The U.S. community solar market crossed the 10 GW cumulative threshold in late 2025, even as annual installations slipped 25% to 1.4 GW. Analysts attribute the slowdown to saturation in New York and Maine, but a robust pipeline of more than 8 GW—29% already...
US Blockade Halts Iran's Oil Shipments to China, India
"The U.S. blockade of Iranian ports has all but stopped Iran-controlled or dark-fleet tankers moving Iranian oil to importers mainly China and India." https://t.co/UXsjqOp2by
WTI Crude Jumps as Inventories Plummet and SPR Shrinks
JUST IN: WTI crude surged due to unexpected inventory drops across the energy sector and a massive Strategic Petroleum Reserve decline.
Blockade Iran: Safer Than War, No Oil Spike
If you're interested in the rationale for blockading Iran and why this won't spike oil prices, watch my discussion on this from a month ago with @paulkrugman. Economic warfare like a blockade isn't perfect, but it's infinitely preferable to actual...