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:
FTSE 100 Holds Near‑Flat as UK Investors Await US‑Iran Peace Talks
The FTSE 100 ended Friday at 10,603.48, down just 5.4 points (‑0.05%), as investors in the UK stayed on the sidelines pending U.S.–Iran diplomatic talks. Energy and utility stocks led the modest gains while broader caution kept the benchmark near flat.
Exxon Mobil Unveils 11‑billion‑barrel Stabroek Discovery, Targeting 1 M Bpd by 2026
Exxon Mobil said its Stabroek Block offshore Guyana holds roughly 11 billion oil‑equivalent barrels, with production poised to climb from 875,000 bpd at end‑2025 to over 1 million bpd before 2026. The find could reshape global supply and boost Guyana’s economy.
Ascend Elements Files for Chapter 11, Erasing Nearly $900 Million in Investor Capital
Ascend Elements announced Chapter 11 bankruptcy, eliminating close to $900 million of capital that investors poured into its battery‑recycling venture. The filing follows a softening U.S. EV market, a revoked $316 million federal grant and mounting delays at its Kentucky plant.
Fusion Startups Secure Over $100 Million Each, Highlighting Surge in Nuclear Tech Funding
Venture investors have poured more than $100 million into each of several fusion power startups, with Commonwealth Fusion Systems alone raising $863 million in its latest round, pushing its total capital to nearly $3 billion. The funding surge signals a shift from speculative...

Oil Prices Could Race Past $150 as Ceasefire in ‘Difficult Phase’
Oil analysts at Kpler warn that Brent crude could surge past $150 per barrel if the flow of ships through the Strait of Hormuz remains constrained as the US‑Iran ceasefire enters a difficult phase. Brent currently trades around $94, reflecting...
A Seismic Shift in Nuclear Energy Regulation
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission voted to adopt a new licensing framework designed to accelerate the rollout of advanced nuclear reactors. The streamlined process promises to cut approval timelines dramatically, moving from multi‑year reviews to a matter of months. The...
West Asia Crisis: Maharashtra Govt Directs Setting up of 24/7 Helplines to Expand PNG Coverage
The Maharashtra government has issued a resolution directing city‑gas distributors to launch 24‑hour helplines and expand ward‑level centres for piped natural gas (PNG) applications. The move responds to West Asia‑driven disruptions that have tightened LPG supplies across India. By broadening...
India-Flagged LPG Tanker Jag Vikram Crosses Strait of Hormuz After US-Iran Ceasefire
India‑flagged LPG tanker Jag Vikram became the first Indian vessel to cross the Strait of Hormuz after the United States and Iran announced a two‑week ceasefire. The carrier, owned by Great Eastern Shipping, moved roughly 20,000 tonnes of LPG from the Gulf...

At $3.39 a Litre, Australia’s Fuel Relief Still Falls 153 Cents Short
Diesel prices in regional Australia have surged to A$3.39 per litre (about US$2.24), far exceeding the federal government’s three‑month fuel relief promise of a 58.7‑cent (≈US$0.39) saving. Even after the Road User Charge is removed and the fuel excise is...
Americans May Be Stuck with $4 Gas for a While
U.S. drivers are now accustomed to paying around $4 per gallon as the Iran‑Israel conflict keeps the Strait of Hormuz largely closed. A two‑week cease‑fire was announced, but shipping firms still deem the waterway too risky, limiting oil tanker traffic...
Renewable Surge Fuels Multi-Year Boom to India's Power Equipment Industry: Report
JP Morgan’s latest report flags a multi‑year upcycle for India’s power‑equipment sector, driven by the country’s aggressive renewable‑energy targets and a surge in transmission spending. Annual transmission capex is projected at $8‑9 billion, while the emerging HVDC market could generate $14‑15 billion in...
Europe Energy Traders Brace for 21-Hour Day as Volatility Surges
European gas and power markets will shift to a 21‑hour trading day, more than double the current 10‑hour window, as part of a permanent schedule change announced months ago. The move comes amid heightened volatility, with gas contracts still roughly...

Why Energy Efficiency Won't Save You Money in a "Green Energy" World
Exelon CEO Calvin Butler told the New York Times that the simplest way to cut electric bills is to turn off lights, underscoring a long‑standing efficiency narrative. The article argues that as the grid shifts toward wind, solar, battery storage and...
The Northeast Hoped to Lead on Climate. Now It’s Rethinking.
A decade after the Northeast embraced some of the nation’s most aggressive climate legislation, states are now back‑tracking. New York’s governor labeled the 2030 emissions‑cut goal unattainable, Massachusetts is trimming heat‑pump subsidies, and Rhode Island wants to shift its 2033...
France Doubles Electrification Aid to Cut Fossil Fuel Dependency
France announced a €10 billion ($12 billion) annual aid package through 2030 to accelerate electrification and reduce reliance on imported oil and gas. The plan targets replacing 85 TWh of gas consumption, installing one million heat pumps per year, and shifting two‑thirds of...
Power Companies Approach HERC Seeking Relaxation in Rules
Haryana’s two major power distributors, UHBVN and DHBVN, have filed petitions with the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission to amend Regulation 68 of the 2024 Multi‑Year Tariff rules for FY 2025‑26. They propose deferring the monthly Fuel and Power Purchase Adjustment Surcharge and...
UP LPG Distributors Association Introduces 5 Kg Small LPG Cylinders for Labourers
The Ghaziabad LPG Distributors Association has begun distributing 5 kg LPG cylinders to address the cooking‑fuel needs of daily‑wage laborers, small families and temporary residents. Eighty‑five gas agencies in the district each received a quota of 50 cylinders, launching a rollout...
Foreign Secretary Misri Discusses Civil Nuclear Cooperation, LPG Trade During US Visit
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri wrapped a three‑day U.S. visit with high‑level talks alongside Energy Secretary Chris Wright, focusing on civil nuclear cooperation, coal gasification and LPG exports. The United States signaled readiness to deepen nuclear collaboration, a shift enabled...

India Adds 44.6 GW Solar, Hits 150 GW Milestone.
India just smashed the 150 GW solar milestone >Added 44.6 GW of solar in 1 year, up 87% y-on-y (that's more than the total installed solar capacity of the UK or Spain) >Global solar leaderboard shifting fast: India now 3rd largest solar...

Canada Invests $10.6 Million in EV Charging Infrastructure
The Canadian government is allocating CAD 10.6 million (≈US$7.8 million) to 14 electric‑vehicle charging projects that will add more than 1,600 Level 2 and DC fast chargers across Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and Prince Edward Island. Major installations include 262 chargers at the Greater...

Energy‑GDP Link Means Hormuz Blockade Threatens Global Economy
Here is what data tells over 50 years of my tracking. Energy and world GDP track perfectly 1:1. Full shock incoming if Hormuz still stays choked. War not only risks global shortages, but exposes the fragility we’ve ignored. More information in the...

Thailand Feels Heat as Iran War Sparks Energy Shock
Iran’s war with Israel has forced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, choking the main oil transit route into Asia. Thailand, heavily reliant on imported crude, is experiencing an acute fuel shortage that is rippling through tourism, farming, street‑food...

Germany Mulls €1bn Emergency Gas Reserve for Two‑Week Supply
Good Morning from Germany, which is weighing a strategic natural gas reserve to protect supplies in a worst-case crisis. The proposed emergency reserve would total ~24TWh, equal to ~10% of the country’s gas storage capacity. In the event of a...

Why UK Energy Prices Are so High
UK energy bills remain among the highest in Europe as the country wrestles with a gas‑centric pricing system and limited storage capacity. Labour energy secretary Ed Miliband is poised to approve the Jackdaw North Sea gas field – the first...
Energy Storage Breakthrough Traps Sunlight in a Molecule
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have engineered an organic molecule, pyrimidone, that captures sunlight and stores the energy directly in its chemical bonds. The molecular solar thermal storage (MOST) system achieves an energy density of 1.6 MJ kg⁻¹ (≈ 444 Wh kg⁻¹), roughly double that...

‘Cancelling Orders’ in China: How Hormuz Oil Crisis Is Hitting Transport, Manufacturing
The reopening and subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz have driven Brent crude to $100‑$105 a barrel, inflating fuel and petroleum‑based raw material costs for Chinese manufacturers. Higher freight rates—up to four times normal—are prompting firms to delay or...

Tribal Gas Stations Offer a Reprieve From High Prices During Iran War
Tribal convenience stores with gas pumps are drawing price‑sensitive drivers as the Iran war pushes national gasoline prices above $4 per gallon. Because tribes are exempt from state fuel taxes, many stations sell gasoline $0.50‑$0.75 cheaper than nearby competitors, with...
Joi Scientific’s Long Hydrogen Illusion
Joi Scientific has resurfaced with a refreshed website, new press releases and a 2024 patent family, but it is essentially a continuation of an 18‑year‑old hydrogen over‑unity narrative. The company’s earlier claims of 200‑300% energy return have been replaced with...
Two‑Month Hormuz Reopening Too Late for Global Economy
Two months: that’s how long it might be before the Strait of Hormuz opens and resumes transit akin to before the war (from National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett). Translation: We F’d up so bad and had zero plans to deal...

Baker Hughes Teams with DTEK to Expand Ukraine Gas Production Capacity
Baker Hughes and DTEK Oil&Gas have signed an MOU to boost Ukraine's natural‑gas production, leveraging Baker's advanced drilling technology and DTEK's local expertise. Ukraine holds about 1.1 trillion cubic meters of proven gas reserves, one of Europe’s largest untapped basins. The...

Saudi Oil Output, Exports Hit After Attacks on Energy Infrastructure
Saudi Arabia reported that recent attacks on key energy infrastructure knocked out more than 600,000 barrels per day of oil production and slashed East‑West pipeline flows by roughly 700,000 barrels per day. The offshore Manifa field and onshore Khurais complex...

Ovintiv Completes $3-Billion Anadarko Asset Sale, Advances Debt Reduction
Ovintiv has completed the sale of its Anadarko Basin assets in Oklahoma for $3 billion, generating roughly $2.85 billion in net proceeds. The company will use the cash primarily to reduce debt and to redeem $700 million of 5.650% senior notes due 2028...
Renewables and Nuclear to Power Half of World by 2030
The IEA expects renewables and nuclear to provide half of global electricity by 2030 as power demand accelerates. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/clean-power-growth-will-reshape-global.html

Ceasefire News Drops Oil Futures, Defying Shortage Expectations
There was lots of talk how acute "physical" shortage in the spot market would pull up futures prices of oil. That turned out to be totally wrong. News of a ceasefire pulled down futures, which in turn pulled down spot...
GridStor and Axpo Seal $0 Deal for 220 MW Hidden Lakes Battery Storage in Texas
GridStor and Swiss utility Axpo have signed an agreement to operate the 220 MW/440 MWh Hidden Lakes battery‑energy‑storage system in Galveston County, Texas. The deal, effective immediately, aims to smooth price volatility for Houston‑area retail electricity users and expand GridStor’s operational footprint.
Shift Focus From Fossil Replacements to True Decarbonisation
The wrong question is dominating the energy crisis debate. Every interview starts the same: where do we find replacement fossil fuels and what happens to prices? In this BBC interview I push back. This is the moment to talk about escaping fossil fuel...
US Extends Russian Oil Waiver Amid Iran War Shock
US likely to extend Russian oil waiver to temper Iran war shock, sources say https://t.co/0Xr3HV1riR
OpenAI Halts UK Data‑Centre Deal Over Surging Power Costs and New Climate Rules
OpenAI announced it is pausing a planned partnership with a UK data‑centre provider after electricity prices rose roughly 30% year‑over‑year and new carbon‑intensity regulations threatened cost and compliance. The move underscores how climate‑related policy and market shifts are reshaping AI...
US Extends Russian Oil Waiver Amid Iran War Tensions
That says the Trump administration is ready for a deal with Iran, but is Iran ready? Is Netanyahu ready? US likely to extend Russian oil waiver to temper Iran war shock, sources say https://t.co/jMSFlgcOrq

Governments Subsidize Oil for Bottom 70% Starting 27th
Governments around the world are providing subsidies to help mitigate impact of higher energy prices. Such efforts counter recessionary pressures, but to what extent and for how long? Government Launches High Oil Price Support for Bottom 70% Starting 27th https://t.co/EWO71DrdHN
New IDS Enhance SCADA Cybersecurity Protection
New intrusion detection systems boost protection of SCADA systems against cyber threats #energysky -- via pv magazine global: https://t.co/110epGR3u2
Iran Strikes Qatar's Massive LNG Export Facility
Footage of Iran’s attack on Qatar’s massive LNG export plant on March 18-19 Via Al Jazeera https://t.co/IxIjkyybsJ
Hawai‘i Campus Adds Solar Carports with Battery Storage
University of Hawai’i branch campus to install solar carports with battery system #energysky -- via Solar Power World: https://t.co/mP7B0rliLk
WA Households Miss Negative Pricing, Boosting Solar‑battery Push
In Western Australia, domestic customers don't have access to negative pricing events - because? @SynergyEnergy How about it @RogerCookMLA - a further incentive to put solar into batteries - and into batteries on wheels?
Energy Shortages Drive Coal Use, Stalling Renewables Transition
So much for shortages boosting renewables. When energy gets tight, the world burns more coal—not less The imaginary energy transition is the emperor with no clothing https://t.co/Cv43NyNoa7 #Energy #EnergyTransition #Coal #OilMarkets

Oil Bulls Overlook Looming Recession Risk
Clearly, the oil bulls are ignoring the elephant in the room: the “R” word. https://t.co/VbwK4xjBeZ

US Industrials Set to Boom as Gas Prices Plunge
Natural gas drives the US industrial economy, not oil. US natural gas prices are -20% since the Iran war broke out. This will be tremendous for US industrials. https://t.co/4k1zWGD9Ix

Hormuz Never Closed; Fear Drives Trump’s Oil Warnings
SM hook: Trump says Hormuz won’t reopen soon But it was never “closed.” It’s the fear factor #Oil #Hormuz #EnergyMarkets https://t.co/93Lwo3pkFS
US Industry Relies on Natural Gas, Now 20% Cheaper
For the most part, the US industrial segment runs on natural gas, not oil. And US natural gas prices have dropped by 20% since March 1st.
Oil Headlines Mislead; Brent Stuck Near $100
I can’t be the only one who sees these headlines day in and day out yet sees Brent crude struggle to hold $100/barrel and thinks there must be magic supplies of oil out there somehow.