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
Solid-State Batteries Could Shatter China's Grip on Global Energy Storage
The global lithium‑ion market reached $150 billion in 2025, but safety concerns and China’s dominance over lithium supply are spurring investment in alternatives. Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory announced a polymer electrolyte that dramatically speeds ion movement, addressing a key hurdle for solid‑state batteries. Parallel U.S. efforts include a nuclear‑powered solid‑state battery from NRD LLC that could deliver power for a century without maintenance. These developments position Western firms to challenge China’s grip on energy‑storage technology.
SRP Brings Copper Crossing Solar Project Online to Support Grid and Research Efforts
Salt River Project (SRP) has placed its first owned solar facility, the 55‑MW Copper Crossing Energy and Research Center (CCERC) PV Solar Project, into service in Florence, Arizona. The plant will generate enough electricity to power roughly 11,000 homes and...
Settlement Bars Arizona Utility From Extreme-Heat Disconnections
Arizona Public Service (APS) agreed to a $7 million settlement that bars the utility from disconnecting service for nonpayment when temperatures reach 95 °F or higher. The deal follows the death of 82‑year‑old customer Katherine Korman, whose power was cut on a...
Iran War Damaged as Much as $58 Billion of Energy Infrastructure, Rystad Estimates
Rystad Energy estimates that the Iran‑Israel conflict has inflicted $34 billion to $58 billion in damage on regional oil, gas and petrochemical infrastructure. More than 80 energy facilities have been struck, with over a third suffering severe damage. Iran’s own network bears...
Jet Fuel Supplies Are Sharply Affected by the Near-Closure of the Strait of Hormuz
Jet fuel prices have roughly doubled as ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz plummets, creating a double‑whammy disruption for both crude imports to Asian refineries and finished jet fuel exports from Gulf refineries. Europe has been warned of a...
EIA’s Data Request Is Routine, Not Regulatory
FYSA - this is not news/exclusive. For the many that will not read the article: EIA said they would be doing this a few months ago. EIA has statutory authority to ask for this kind of information. EIA will not reveal proprietary data....
DHL and IAG Cargo Seal Five-Year SAF Deal to Cut 640,000 Tonnes CO2e
DHL Group has expanded its sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) agreement with IAG Cargo into a five‑year contract covering 240 million liters at London Heathrow, projected to avoid 640,000 tonnes of CO2e. The deal gives both firms long‑term supply certainty and signals...
Acerta Energy Buys Premier Light Oil Assets, Adds 8,300 Boe/D in Alberta Cardium
Acerta Energy Ltd. completed the purchase of Premier Light Oil assets in Alberta's Cardium formation, adding roughly 8,300 barrels of oil equivalent per day. The deal, financed by a $175 million senior secured bond and backed by McIntyre Partners and Trafigura,...
Renewables Keep Lights On When Supply Chains Collapse
A world that runs on renewable energy rather than fossil fuel is a world that won't go Mad Max. Solar panels don't stop working just because supply lines fail.
Europe’s Gas‑electricity Crisis Effectively over, Easing ECB/BoE Worries
For Europe, the energy “crisis” in natural gas and electricity is, essentially, over. Sure, it can re-start if the ceasefire collapses, and Iran were to attack Qatar. But as now, it’s gone. And, let’s be clear, it was never a threat to...
Europe Eyes Canada LNG as Iran War Rewires Energy Routes
European energy buyers, led by Germany’s Uniper, are assessing Canada’s west‑coast Ksi Lisims LNG project as a diversification option amid the Iran war and Strait of Hormuz disruptions. The proposal involves shipping liquefied natural gas through the Panama Canal, a longer...
Rivian, Redwood Materials Deploy 10 MWh Second‑Life Battery Storage at Illinois Plant
Rivian announced a partnership with Redwood Materials to install a 10 MWh second‑life battery energy storage system at its Normal, Illinois EV plant, using more than 100 retired Rivian packs. The deal gives Rivian a cheaper, dispatchable power source while giving...
EU Economy Chief Warns of Stagflation Shock Threatening Euro Stock Valuations
European Union economy commissioner Vera Jourova warned that the bloc faces a “stagflationary shock” driven by war‑related supply bottlenecks and persistent inflation. The warning raises concerns for Euro‑area corporate earnings and could pressure equity valuations across the region.
Think‑tank Proposes $8 Billion Renewable Plan to Break Cuba’s U.S. Energy Blockade
The Commonwealth think‑tank’s Transition Security Project says an $8 bn investment in solar, wind, hydro and bioenergy could meet 93% of Cuba’s power needs and end its dependence on imported fossil fuels, offering a model for the Caribbean amid a U.S....
World Bank Forecasts 2026 Commodity Lows as Fertilizer Prices Surge 26%
The World Bank’s April 2026 Commodity Markets Outlook projects aggregate commodity prices to hit six‑year lows by year‑end, even as fertilizer costs surge 26.2% in March. An oil surplus of 1.2 million barrels per day drives the broader decline, while geopolitical...
Jet Fuel Prices Double to $198/Barrel Amid Iran War, Airlines Face Cost Surge
Global jet fuel prices have surged to $197.83 per barrel, more than twice the level airlines budgeted for in 2026. The spike, driven by the Iran conflict and Hormuz closures, is prompting carriers worldwide to raise fees, trim routes and...
Reduced Graphene Oxide Interface Pushes Perovskite Mini‑Modules to 16.6% Efficiency
Scientists at Prabhat Kumar College in India have fabricated perovskite mini‑modules that deliver 16.6% power conversion efficiency and remain stable for more than 1,300 hours. The breakthrough relies on a reduced graphene oxide (r‑GO) interfacial layer that improves film quality...
Asia Faces Strained Supply Lines and Volatile Energy Markets
Asia’s energy markets are under severe strain as Gulf crude shipments face weeks‑long delays and Atlantic imports remain uneconomic. A sustained oil price surge toward $200 per barrel would likely trigger government‑mandated rationing and demand‑reduction measures across the region. The...
Iranian Oil Return Could Shift Energy Markets Soon
If the US and Iran reach a deal — a big if — it’s fair to assume Tehran gets sanctions relief. If that includes oil sales — another big, although likely, if — then in a few months the energy...
Canada’s Edge: Integrating Batteries Beats China’s Production
How Canada Can Beat China in the Battery Battle China won manufacturing. But the next round is about integrating batteries into systems. And that could be where Canada really shines. #cdnpoli #batteries https://markhamhislop.substack.com/p/how-canada-can-beat-china-in-the
Maximum Pressure Returns: U.S. Targets Shadow Fleet Tankers as Iran Oil Waiver Expires
The U.S. Treasury reinstated full "maximum pressure" on Iran by letting the 30‑day general license for stranded Iranian oil expire and sanctioning more than two dozen individuals, companies, and vessels tied to the Shamkhani shadow‑fleet network. The designations target a...
Russia Vows To 'Fill China's Energy Resource Gap' Amid Hormuz Crisis In Lavrov-Xi Meeting
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met President Xi Jinping in Beijing, pledging to increase Russian energy supplies to China as the Hormuz Strait crisis threatens oil flows. Lavrov said Moscow is ready to fill the resource gap that has emerged...
US Targets Iran's Oil Transportation Infrastructure with Sanctions
The U.S. Treasury announced sanctions on more than two dozen individuals, companies and vessels tied to Iran's oil transportation network. The measures focus on oil‑shipping magnate Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, son of the late security official Ali Shamkhani. Treasury also sanctioned...
New Energy Outlook 1
BloombergNEF’s New Energy Outlook 2025 releases an updated base‑case scenario that projects oil demand peaking in 2032 at 104 million barrels per day and falling to 88 million barrels by 2050, while coal use collapses and natural‑gas consumption rises 25% to 5,449 billion...
Solar Needs Screws, Oil Needs Armies
It takes thousands of U.S. troops, ships, and planes to secure oil in Iran, while it takes some screws and a roof to secure solar energy.
LPG Supply Restoration May Take 3-4 Years, Says Govt Official: Report
A senior Indian government official warned that restoring disrupted global LPG supplies could take three to four years, amid uncertainty over whether production halts are temporary or permanent. India, which sources about 60% of its LPG imports from West Asia,...
Forge Software Platform Uses iPad LiDAR Scanning for Quick Solar Design Proposals
Dominus Foundry has launched Forge, a vertical SaaS platform that uses iPad and iPhone LiDAR to capture roof geometry and instantly generate design proposals. The system replaces fragmented workflows— aerial imagery, separate estimating tools, and office‑side software—with a single end‑to‑end...
South Korea Has An Oil Problem. Canada Is Helping To Fix It
The Strait of Hormuz blockade has forced South Korea to look beyond the Middle East for crude, and Canada’s Trans‑Mountain Expansion (TMX) now ships oil to the Pacific, letting Korean refiners buy Western Canadian Select at about $10 per barrel...
Bessent Optimistic Gas Prices Fall Back to $3 This Summer
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told a White House briefing on April 15 that he is optimistic gasoline can fall back to $3 per gallon during the June‑September summer driving window. He linked the price outlook to progress in negotiations to...
Fire Hits One of Australia's Last Two Refineries
A fire has broken out at the Viva Energy refinery in Australia, It is one of two refineries remaining in the country. What a coincidence. 🤔
NASA Wants to Put Nuclear Reactors on the Moon
NASA, together with the Departments of Defense and Energy, announced a plan to deploy nuclear reactors in orbit by 2028 and on the Moon’s surface by 2030. The reactors will initially deliver at least 20 kW of electricity for three years...
Bitcoin Climbs as Strait Tolls Pressure Gold Reserves
One emerging narrative resulting from the Iran conflict is that Iran will more or less control the Strait of Hormuz with a “toll booth” approach and that countries might pay those tolls in Yuan or crypto. Meanwhile, the exporting countries...
Finding the Best Batteries for Electric Off-Highway Machines
Off‑highway sectors such as construction, agriculture and mining are accelerating electrification, with OEMs like Caterpillar, John Deere and Volvo backing the shift. IDTechEx’s updated 2026‑2036 report projects the global off‑highway battery market to expand to over 45 GWh by 2036, driven by...
Russia and Cuba
Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov announced that Moscow will keep delivering oil and humanitarian aid to Cuba, following a recent shipment of roughly 700,000 barrels of crude. The pledge was made during Lavrov’s visit to China and underscores the long‑standing...
Trump’s Waiver Of Jones Act Fails To Cool Oil Prices
President Trump issued a 60‑day Jones Act waiver hoping to shave a few cents off U.S. fuel costs, but oil prices remain elevated as global supply disruptions and rising crude costs dominate. Brent fell 4.2% to $95.09 per barrel and...
Alberta Landowners Furious over Ignored Pipeline Reclamation Law
Alberta Landowners Mad as H*ll About No Pipeline Reclamations AB has 440,000 kms of pipelines. The law says they have to be reclaimed. ABGov/AER says, nope. Landowners are mad. Mark Dorin explains why. #ableg #abpoli https://youtu.be/49_0k2gY-UY
Solar Panels Prove More Economically Viable Than Expected
The economics of solar panels make this a much more viable proposition than one might expect.
Oklo Soars In Big News Week For Nuclear Energy Stocks
Oklo announced a board refresh, adding four new directors and moving its chief technology officer into an advisory role as it gears up for a new growth phase. The SPAC‑listed SMR developer’s shares surged 11% to $65, breaking above its...
Georgia Power Permits Data Centers to Source Own Clean Energy
Georgia Power will now let data centers bring their own clean energy #energysky -- via Canary Media: https://t.co/lmcXeMdSqR
Brent Oil Near Neutral, Watch $90 Support, $100 Resistance
#BrentOil Comp Doji Candle and Sideways 6 days. Support $90.4, $84, $73.2. Resistance $100, $103.9, $112.1. RSI 52 near Neutral. 13/21 day EMAs Bullish but Lines converging. Doing 8/21 Bear Cross. Top Bollinger Band $110.7. Midpoint Line $100. Bottom Band...
U.S. Grid-Scale Battery Production to Support 100% of Renewable Generating Capacity
The United States has rapidly built grid‑scale battery manufacturing capacity, reaching roughly 70 GWh of finished storage systems in 2025—enough to meet the entire storage demand of wind and solar generation. Companies such as Fluence, LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI, SK On and...
Asia's Energy Shortage Sparks Rationing and Black Markets
Rationing and black markets have already sprung up in Asia. Some countries have found ways around the shortage (for now), but that has created new issues for others. #iranwar #energy #geopolitics https://t.co/0wpmsFgat3
Spark Gets Australian Approval for Huge Solar‑battery Project
Spark secures Australian approval for massive solar and battery project #energysky -- via pv magazine global: https://t.co/exu5V1LSDn
Thermally Passive BESS Boost Resilience in Desert Conditions
From ‘refrigerators in the desert’ to resilient, thermally passive BESS assets #energysky -- via Energy Storage News: https://t.co/uc72BX3L9l
Saudi Crude Routed Through Red Sea, Oman, Kazakhstan Supply
Saudi crude secured via Red Sea, other sources are Oman and Kazakstan. #oott #oil https://t.co/XbR2pdl7Lw
Rare Cabinet Presence at Private Energy Ribbon-Cutting
Can anyone think of an instance where 3 cabinet secretaries (not to mention the FERC chair) attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony like this for privately owned energy infrastructure? (EPA, Interior, and Energy were there)
Microsoft’s Carbon Removal Retreat Signals Industry Setback
Transcript: Why Microsoft’s Carbon Removal Pullback Is Such a Big Deal #energysky -- via Heatmap News https://t.co/dgLRp1Q17y https://t.co/CEXX9HxKWY
New Documents Raise Doubts on Trump's TotalEnergies Deal
New Documents Add to Doubt Over Trump’s Deal With TotalEnergies #energysky -- via Heatmap News https://t.co/MDZMa61dPh https://t.co/E8CjnYUAek
Bangladesh to Build 442 MW Solar Farm Adjacent to Coal Plant
Bangladesh plans 442 MW solar facility near coal power plant #energysky -- via pv magazine global: https://t.co/XnTyYpz6g6
Buy Oil Majors at February Low Prices
Purchases of international oil majors that are trading at their early February levels when Brent was <$70 strike me as 'money good' $XOM $CVX $COP