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
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 legacy system specifications without costly redesigns. This addition joins the existing 7.6‑kW and 11.4‑kW models, broadening Tigo’s repowering portfolio for the roughly 400,000 U.S. homes with decade‑old solar arrays. The move aims to simplify upgrades, reduce labor, and keep older systems compliant and productive.
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An Outdated FERC Policy Is Undermining the White House’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge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...
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
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...
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...
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...
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.
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...
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...
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...
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...
German, South African Organisations Launch Project to Support Workers in the Energy Transition
German foundation Friedrich‑Ebert‑Stiftung South Africa and the Sam Tambani Research Institute launched the Strengthening Workers’ Active Participation (SWAP) project to help coal‑dependent communities negotiate a just transition to renewables. The two‑year initiative, funded with about €1.05 million (≈ $1.13 million), will operate in...
Demand for Colombia LNG Shipments Set to Surge
Colombia’s power sector is gearing up for a sharp increase in LNG imports as an El Niño‑driven dry season threatens its hydropower‑dependent grid. Imports, currently 210 million cubic feet per day, are expected to climb to the SPEC terminal’s full 475 mcf/d capacity...
The Very Wild, Very Real Plan To Build AI Data Centers In The Ocean - EP 65 Garth Sheldon-Coulson
In this episode, Ashley Vance talks with Garth Sheldon‑Coulson, co‑founder and CEO of Pantalassa, about their revolutionary ocean‑based energy system that harvests wave power using simple, self‑propelled nodes deployed in the open sea. The nodes act like hollow, balloon‑like structures...
High Crude Oil Prices: 3 Integrated Energy Stocks to Bet on Right Away
Rising crude prices above $90 a barrel are boosting earnings for integrated oil majors, positioning Exxon Mobil, Chevron and BP as the sector’s top picks. The Zacks Oil & Gas Integrated International industry ranks #3, placing it in the top 1%...
Bunker Fuel Shortages Loom After US Counter Blocks Strait of Hormuz
US naval counter‑operations have effectively blocked commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting the primary route for bunker fuel shipments to Asia. Analysts warn that within two to three months container lines could encounter a global shortage of low‑sulfur...
Minnesota Community Solar Garden Program Officially Named for House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman
Minnesota lawmakers renamed the state’s pioneering community solar garden (CSG) program after former House Speaker Melissa Hortman, honoring her role in shaping the 2013 legislation. Governor Tim Walz signed the bill with bipartisan support, cementing her legacy in renewable‑energy policy....
Fermi’s IPO Hype Fades as AI Power Plans Stall
Last October, Fermi Inc. was sizzling. It raised $746 million in an IPO and was planning to build 11 GW of power generation for AI data centers. But Fermi’s sizzle has turned to fizzle. (Article linked below in comments.) My...
Explainer: The Pivot West and the Veto that Could Stop It
Saudi Arabia is redirecting a significant share of its crude output toward Europe, reducing shipments to Asian markets as European refiners seek to replace Russian supplies. The shift, estimated at roughly two million barrels per day, reflects higher spot prices...
Parlez-Vous Oil Trader?
The Blindspot premium article introduces key oil‑market concepts—backwardation, physical differentials, and time spreads—and explains what they mean for traders. Backwardation describes a market where near‑term contracts trade above distant futures, indicating tight short‑term supply. Physical differentials capture price gaps between...
Pollution Release at Chevron’s Richmond Refinery Was Triggered by a Bird
On Jan. 9, a power outage at Chevron’s Richmond refinery forced an eight‑hour flaring event that released over 3,000 pounds of sulfur dioxide. The outage was triggered when a raptor contacted a PG&E transmission line, causing a short circuit and loss...
UAE Firm to Enrich Fleet with Two LNG Carriers by 2027, First Vessel Deal Now in the Bag
Dubai‑based BGN has entered a joint venture with Capital Clean Energy Carriers to charter the 174,000 cbm LNG carrier Amore Mio I for ten years, with an option to extend six more years. The vessel, slated for delivery in early 2027, marks BGN’s...
Batteries Included: Amazon Makes Record Haul of Hybrid Renewable PPAs to Power Australian AI Push
Amazon Australia announced nine new power‑purchase agreements covering 430 MW and roughly A$2.8 billion ($1.85 billion). Eight of the contracts feature battery storage, including three utility‑scale solar‑battery hybrids—the first such deals Amazon has signed outside the United States. The additions bring Amazon’s Australian...
The Mobility House to Offer Free Electricity for V2G Customers
The Mobility House will let owners of V2G‑capable electric cars charge at home for free, offsetting costs by using the vehicle batteries as grid storage and selling electricity during peak periods. The program launches this quarter for the Renault 5, with...
UAC Starts Large-Scale Hydrogen Storage Production in China
UMOE Advanced Composites (UAC) has begun industrial production of large‑capacity Type IV glass‑fibre hydrogen storage cylinders at its new 12,000 m² Jiaxing plant in Zhejiang, China. The facility, which can produce up to 20,000‑24,000 composite cylinders per year, triples the company’s global...
Why Regulated Utilities Lose More on Uneconomic Power Plants
RMI’s new analysis finds that rate‑regulated utilities, which can pass fuel costs to customers, keep coal and gas plants running even when market prices make them uneconomic, generating $23 billion in gross losses since 2015. Although they own about 78% of...
China’s CATL to Invest US$4.4 Billion in Mining Arm to Secure EV Battery Supply Chain
China’s battery leader CATL is earmarking 30 bn yuan (≈$4.4 bn) to launch a mining subsidiary that will consolidate existing assets and chase new mineral projects worldwide, securing raw‑material supply for its EV batteries and energy‑storage systems. The move follows a Q1...
Govt Enhances C3, C4 Allocation for Pharma, Packaging Chemical Sectors to 1,000 Tonnes/Day
India’s Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has increased the daily allocation of C3 (propane) and C4 (butanes/butenes) streams to 1,000 tonnes for critical sectors such as pharmaceuticals, packaging and polymers. The boost represents a 25% rise from the initial...
Colorado Legislature Sends ‘Advanced Transmission Technology’ Bill to Governor
Colorado lawmakers approved the Grid Optimization Act (HB 1081), directing the state public utilities commission to require Xcel’s Public Service Co., Black Hills Energy and Tri‑State to evaluate advanced transmission technologies in their biennial 10‑year transmission plans. The legislation defines...
India’s EV Push Still Hinges on Chinese Supply Chains
Battery and EV manufacturing are more dependent on China than ever despite billions in investment under the Make in India initiative Yes, innovative Chinese companies like BYD, CATL, and REE/magnet producers... https://t.co/CmFd1U4boY
Bills Containing Plug-In Solar Provisions Pass in Maryland and Colorado
Maryland and Colorado advanced plug‑in solar bills to their governors within 24 hours, joining Utah, Maine and Virginia in the emerging portable‑solar movement. Maryland’s HB 1532 permits residential customers to connect up to 1,200‑watt devices without utility fees, while Colorado’s...
US Officials Claim China Is ‘Hoarding’ Oil. What Does the Data Say?
U.S. Treasury officials accused China of hoarding oil amid the US‑Israeli‑Iran conflict, but customs data shows China’s crude imports actually slipped 2.8% in March 2026 after an 8.9% year‑on‑year rise in the first quarter. Port inventory indices fell in early...
BASF and TSR Group Collaborate on Battery Recycling
BASF and the TSR Group announced a partnership to integrate battery‑dismantling, safe discharge, and black‑mass processing across Europe. TSR will contribute its network of more than 190 licensed waste‑management sites, while BASF adds its Schwarzheide recycling plant that produces black...
UK Energy Strategy 'Unsustainable' - Manufacturer
KGD managing director Ed Pitt warned that the UK’s energy strategy is unsustainable, noting his firm spends about £250,000 (≈ $317,500) annually on electricity and gas. The warning follows an IMF downgrade of UK growth to 0.8% as the Iran war...