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
Central Petroleum Signs Major Gas Deal for Palm Valley Expansion
Central Petroleum (ASX: CTP) has signed a multi‑year gas sales agreement with the Northern Territory Government, securing up to 21 PJ of gas – 10.5 PJ of Central’s share – through 2034. The deal underwrites the final investment decision for two new Palm Valley wells, expected to lift the field’s capacity by roughly 40% to 15 TJ/day, with first output slated for the second half of 2026. To fund its A$26 million (≈US$17 million) drilling share, Central increased its Macquarie Bank loan facility to about A$15 million (≈US$10 million). Meanwhile, the expiry of the Mereenie gas sales agreement has halted further infill drilling, trimming 2026 capital expenditure by about US$5 million.
Middle East War Slashes Asian LNG Deliveries to 2020 Lows
The war in the Middle East is choking LNG supply to Asia 🚢⚠️ Deliveries to Asia fell the the lowest level since 2020, when the Covid pandemic crashed demand Not a single LNG shipment has gone through Hormuz since the war began...
Trump’s Hormuz “Blockade” Is Empty Theater, Ineffective
The Hormuz blockade isn’t a blockade. It’s typical Trump performative bullshit—lots of noise, no substance. It’s indirect pressure done remotely from OUTSIDE the Persian Gulf. That can’t work. The Gulf is too big, too porous, and too prone to cheap disruption to seal. It's Trump's...
Mapping Gas Prices
Gasoline prices in the United States rose steadily after the U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran began in February, linking the conflict directly to higher oil costs. While the national average increased, the price impact varied sharply across regions, with California staying...
March CPI Jumps to 3.3% as Iran‑Israel Conflict Sends Gasoline Prices 21% Higher
The U.S. consumer price index climbed 0.9% in March, lifting annual inflation to 3.3% – the highest level since May 2024. The spike is traced to a 21% month‑over‑month jump in gasoline and a 12.5% rise in overall energy costs,...
Oil Spikes 8% After Trump Blocks Iranian Ports
Oil prices have surged roughly 8% following news of President Trump's announced blockade of Iranian ports. Brent crude is currently trading around $102 per barrel. Was above $104 earlier.
Mortenson Acquires Nor‑Cal Controls to Bolster Renewable Energy Capabilities
Construction giant Mortenson announced Thursday that it has acquired California‑based energy‑management firm Nor‑Cal Controls. The deal, whose financial terms were not disclosed, adds control‑system engineering talent to Mortenson’s growing renewable‑energy portfolio and positions the builder to capture rising demand for...
Asian LNG Prices Set to Rise as US Threatens to Block Hormuz
Asian spot liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices are poised to climb after the United States announced a naval blockade of all vessels entering and leaving Iranian ports. The move follows stalled peace talks between Washington and Tehran and targets only...
Trump Imposes 10 A.m. Iran Oil Sales Ban, Allies Enforce
JUST IN: President Trump announced a 10 a.m. oil sales ban on Iran, with cooperating nations ensuring it's enforced.
Oil Prices Spike Over Strait of Hormuz Threat, Lifting CAD and NOK
President Donald Trump’s warning that the U.S. will block ships in the Strait of Hormuz sent Brent crude up 8% to $102 a barrel. The jump revived gains in oil‑linked currencies such as the Canadian dollar and Norwegian krone, while...
IMF Flags Global Growth Downgrade as Middle East War Slashes Oil and LNG Flows
The International Monetary Fund warned that the war in the Middle East will force a downgrade to global economic growth, citing a 13% cut in daily oil flows and a 20% drop in LNG shipments. The shock is reverberating through...
Shell Ramps up LNG Deliveries to India, Clinches 4 TBtu Fertilizer Contracts Amid Gulf Supply Shock
Shell plc stepped up LNG shipments to India in March, delivering its largest monthly volume and winning 4 trillion British thermal units of fertilizer tenders out of a 6 TBtu pool. The move follows force‑majeure on Qatar supplies triggered by the West...
Historical Oil Spikes Rarely Sustain Long‑term Gains
Hey Claude: What's the historical market track record when oil rises 50% in a month? Then falls 20% a week later Then rises 10% a week later Then falls 10% a week later Then rises 15% a week later No mistakes please
NSW Planners Approve Foresight’s 150MWh BESS; Banpu Submits 1GWh Development to Australia’s EPBC Act
The NSW Independent Planning Commission approved Foresight Group Australia's 75 MW/150 MWh Hume North battery near Albury, a AU$120 million (≈US$84 million) project slated to start construction in early 2026. The facility will connect to the Transgrid 132 kV line and create up to 50...
Trump's Hormuz Policy Reversal Fuels Oil Market Volatility
JUST IN: Trump's policy flip from freeing the Strait of Hormuz to blocking it is stirring oil market volatility.
Govt Backs Approvals Process for WA Green Ammonia Project
The Australian Treasury has added the Murchison Green Hydrogen project in Western Australia to its Front Door program, a fast‑track initiative that streamlines regulatory approvals and links developers to financing. The project, backed by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, will combine 1,200 MW...
Weekly Market Pulse: The Only Free Lunch In Investing
Stocks jumped nearly 4% last week after a brief US‑Iran ceasefire, while crude oil plunged 14% and the dollar slipped 1.3%. The S&P 500 hit its March 30 low, leaving year‑to‑date returns essentially flat despite a six‑month correction that began...
Trump’s Hormuz Blockade Risks Piling Pain on Asia Allies, China
President Donald Trump announced a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, restricting vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports starting 10 am NY time on April 13. The move sent Brent crude up 8.6% to over $103 a barrel and spiked European gas...
A New Ad Campaign Is Pushing Australians to Use Less Petrol. Has This Happened Before?
The Australian federal government has launched the "every little bit helps" ad campaign urging drivers to cut fuel consumption amid a global oil crisis and volatile Middle East supply routes. The initiative follows Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Singapore trip that...
How Govt Policy Initiatives to Impact Shares of EV Makers, Oil Exporters
India’s Finance Ministry raised the windfall tax on export‑bound diesel by 158% to ₹55.5 per litre (about $0.67) and on aviation turbine fuel by 42% to ₹42 per litre (about $0.51), effective immediately. The hike follows a March 26 re‑imposition...
Iran War's Energy Fallout Explained in Six Minutes
Fantastic insights into the energy impacts of the Iran war from @ColumbiaUEnergy’s @ProfessorKaren on @FareedZakaria this morning. Well worth 6 mins of your time to watch her. I’m very lucky to call her a colleague. She is the best. 👇👏
U.S. LNG Exports Soar to Record Levels
U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports surged to a record 11.7 million metric tons in March 2026, driven by panic buying after missile and drone attacks on Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City. Louisiana’s export terminals handled 1.8 million more tons than a year...
The Floating Offshore Wind Catastrophe
The California Coastal Commission released a report titled “Statewide Strategy for the Coexistence of California Fishing Communities and Offshore Wind Energy.” The document provides a guiding framework to align proposed floating offshore wind projects with Coastal Act policies while protecting...
Could EVs Hit 50% in Europe?
A draft EU regulation requiring large companies to electrify their vehicle fleets could generate about 2 million additional electric‑vehicle registrations by 2030, covering 57% of the sales volume automakers need to meet EU CO₂ targets. If the Commission leaves the proposal...
Why Gasoline Prices Don't Fall as Quickly as Crude
U.S. gasoline prices remain elevated despite recent softening in crude oil markets. Drivers across the country are paying around $5 per gallon, with California often exceeding $6. The lag is driven by refinery margins, seasonal demand, and logistical constraints. Even...
Electrification Alone Won’t Protect Firms From Gas Price Spikes
Electrification alone may not shield firms from gas-linked prices #energysky -- via pv magazine global: https://t.co/vI8TD34kUI
Government Rolls Out $20m ‘Every Little Bit Helps’ Fuel-Saving Campaign
Australia's federal government has unveiled a $20 million AUD (≈$13 million USD) “Every little bit helps” fuel‑saving campaign, the second phase of its four‑stage National Fuel Security Plan. The multi‑channel effort, managed by UM, includes TV, radio, print, digital and outdoor ads...
A Very Similar Spike in Frequency (Outside the NOFB) on Saturday 11th April 2026
On April 10 and 11 2026 the Australian NEM experienced two near‑identical frequency spikes, each rising linearly within a dispatch interval and peaking just outside the Normal Operating Frequency Band (50.174 Hz and 50.176 Hz respectively). High‑resolution 0.1‑second data from a Brisbane device captured...
IMF Director Says Shock From US-Iran War Is Already 'Baked' Into the Economy
International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva told CBS that the economic fallout from the U.S.-Iran war is already "baked" into global markets. She highlighted disruptions to oil tankers, Gulf energy infrastructure and attacks on Qatari gas fields as sources...
“Not Economically Viable:” Global Funds Giant Drops Plans for Solar Farm, to Build Bigger Battery Instead
Revera Energy, a Carlyle‑controlled offshoot, has scrapped its planned 500 MW solar farm near Robertstown, South Australia, and will instead focus on a 500 MW, 2,000 MWh battery at the same site. The company cites the current lack of economic viability for new...
The Strait Switch: Trump Tightens The Valve But Keeps The Door Ajar
The United States has imposed a selective naval blockade on Iranian oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, removing roughly 1.5‑2 million barrels per day from global supply. The squeeze pushed Brent crude back above $100 a barrel, reviving inflation concerns...
Australia Bends Asia over LNG Barrel
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced plans to expand domestic gas production but stopped short of ruling out higher taxes on LNG exports in the upcoming May budget. Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong warned that rising Australian energy costs could...
New Zealand Grid Faces Capacity Crunch as Renewable Mix Shifts and Demand Soars
A Newswire.co.nz analysis warns that New Zealand's power system could hit its limits as demand from electric vehicles, heat pumps and data centres climbs while hydro output falls. The report calls for swift new generation, storage and transmission investment to...
US Blockade Pushes Oil Above $100, WTI to $135
JUST IN: U.S. oil prices surged 8% above $100 a barrel after the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, with WTI crude oil projected to hit $135 per barrel this year.
U.S. Loans 8.5 MMbbl From SPR in Second Release Amid Iran War
The U.S. Department of Energy has loaned 8.48 million barrels of crude from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to Gunvor USA, Phillips 66, Trafigura Trading and Macquarie Commodities Trading, marking the second emergency release aimed at cushioning oil markets amid the Iran conflict....
TotalEnergies Targets Production Growth with Major Africa Projects, LNG Restart
TotalEnergies is positioning Africa as the engine of its production growth, with half of its operated output and the largest share of exploration spend coming from the continent. The company will spend $500 million in 2025 to drill additional wells in...
Exxon Mobil's Stabroek Block Discovery Adds 11bn Barrels, Targets 1m Bpd by 2026
Exxon Mobil announced that its Stabroek Block offshore Guyana contains roughly 11 billion barrels of oil‑equivalent reserves and is set to exceed 1 million barrels per day of production by the end of 2026. The find bolsters Exxon’s earnings outlook and could...
EcoPro Lands CAD 6 Million From Canada to Boost Solid‑state Lithium‑metal Anodes
EcoPro Innovation, a subsidiary of EcoPro, has secured a CAD 6 million (≈$4.5 million) grant from the Canadian federal government to accelerate development of lithium‑metal anodes for solid‑state batteries. The funding is part of Canada’s Energy Innovation Program and targets a full‑scale pilot...
Soaring Renewable Transmission Costs to Pressure Power Bills
Australian renewable transmission cost estimates have exploded. AEMO’s 2020 projection of $8.5 billion (≈$5.6 billion USD) for new lines in NSW and Victoria is now seen as $120 billion (≈$79 billion USD) and could exceed $200 billion (≈$132 billion USD). Adding wind and solar generation adds...
Envirotech Vehicles Inc (EVTV) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
EVgo reported a strong fourth quarter and full‑year 2025, delivering $384 million in revenue, a 50% year‑over‑year increase, and achieving adjusted EBITDA breakeven for the first time with $12 million for the year. The company expanded its network to 5,100 stalls, boosting...
Pegatron Head Calls for a Change in Energy Policy
Pegatron chairman Tung Tzu‑hsien urged Taiwan to use the global energy crisis as a catalyst to cut fossil‑fuel reliance by 20% by 2030, positioning liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a backup rather than a primary source. He highlighted that Taiwan’s...
How AEM's 'Rare-Earth-Free' Tech Aims to De-Risk EV Supply Chains
Advanced Electric Machines (AEM) has moved its rare‑earth‑free electric‑motor technology from the lab to commercial pilots, promising EV manufacturers a path away from neodymium‑based magnets. The design replaces rare‑earth materials with copper windings and optimized iron cores while maintaining comparable...
Asia Market Sense Initial Thoughts: Trump Says US Will Block the Hormuz Straits;... That Just Makes Matters Worse
President Trump warned Iran that the United States would block the Strait of Hormuz if tolls were imposed, sending oil prices above $100 a barrel amid the ongoing Iran‑U.S. conflict. The geopolitical shock has spurred a wave of policy responses,...
Stochastic Bullish Crossover Signals Crude Spike, SPX at Risk
#Oil: A bullish Stochastic crossover is forming, typically preceding multi-day spikes in #CL_F. The recovery of the 20DMA is concerning for #SPX bulls. The key weekly level is $101.4; if lost, the SPX could spike again. Otherwise, expect pressure on...
India’s Solar Capacity Hits 150 GW, Installations Surge 87%
India has now passed 150GWs of solar, with annual installations increasing a whopping 87% this year.
Powering Australia’s Next Phase of Decarbonisation: Why Long-Duration Storage Must Lead
Western Australia has launched an expression of interest for a 500 MWh vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) project, positioning long‑duration storage at the heart of its decarbonisation agenda. CEO James Costello of EORA Energy argues that VRFBs, with discharge times exceeding...
Hormuz Blockade Fuels Energy Surge Ahead of Fed Data
Middle East tensions are pushing energy prices higher as the Strait of Hormuz blockade hits markets. All eyes on inflation data and Fed speakers this week. 🟢 Open https://t.co/cLaM5AJanN
Screen‑traded Crude No Longer Reliable Price Gauge
Tough news flow to start the overnight session, but I don’t think screen-traded crude is a useful indicator right now. Pretty much all asset classes have internalized the fact that a barrel delivered in a barrel in futures pricing are...
Long‑duration Storage Key to Australia’s Decarbonisation
Powering Australia’s next phase of decarbonisation: Why long-duration storage must lead #energysky -- via Energy Storage News: https://t.co/iarNa9N4IO
US Hormuz Blockade Sparks Surge in Oil, Gas Prices
US military says it’ll begin a Hormuz blockade at 10am ET Monday. Oil prices +8%, NatGas +13% early Monday in Asia. Also, vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz shows the “highest” volumes since the war began (“highest” is of course...