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:
Hassett Has Stark Message for Investors Watching Gas Prices
Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, warned that the U.S. campaign against Iran will keep gasoline prices elevated, contradicting administration statements that the spike is temporary. The Energy Information Administration now projects average retail gasoline above $3 per gallon through 2027, a roughly 15% increase from pre‑conflict forecasts. Hassett also indicated no immediate plan to tap the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to lower prices. The higher‑for‑longer fuel costs threaten to offset the fiscal benefits of the 2026 tax cuts for households and investors alike.
More than a Pretty Picture, Star-Shaped Nanomaterial Changes Energy Storage
University at Buffalo scientists synthesized the first star‑shaped vanadyl hydroxide (VOOH) nanomaterial, converting its electrochemical profile from a bulk‑like battery to a surface‑dominant pseudocapacitor. The transformation occurs over 84 hours as flat sheets evolve into rods and finally six‑armed stars, dramatically...
Chevron Quietly Makes Move on Key Gas Operation Off Israel
Chevron has resumed natural gas production at Israel's offshore Leviathan field after a 33‑day shutdown triggered by the Iran conflict. The restart came with regulatory clearance and coincided with the completion of a third gathering pipeline, boosting the field’s capacity...
Microsoft Inks Bioenergy CDR Deal with Indigenous-Owned Project
Microsoft has signed a 15‑year agreement to buy 626,000 metric tons of carbon‑removal credits from the North Star BECCS project in Saskatchewan. The project, majority‑owned by the Meadow Lake Tribal Council, will use sustainable forestry, convert waste to energy, and...
EPA To Allow Gas Stations To Dilute Your Gas More… Will It Save You Money or Cost You?
The EPA issued a temporary waiver starting May 1 that lifts the summer ban on 15‑percent ethanol gasoline (E15), aiming to curb rising pump prices amid geopolitical pressure. By expanding the domestic ethanol supply, regulators expect a modest 10‑30 cent per‑gallon...
Jeffrey Sherman on Oil, Deficits and the Private Credit Liquidity Trap | Bloomberg
Jeffrey Sherman, DoubleLine’s deputy CIO, warned that rising oil prices and energy‑sector infrastructure damage could sustain inflation longer than markets expect, pressuring global growth. He argued that higher energy costs function as a de‑facto monetary tightening, reducing the likelihood of...
Data Center Power Crunch Pushes Grid Operators to Rethink Pricing
Data‑center capacity in major metros hit a historic 1.4% vacancy rate, while the average asking price for power jumped 6.6% to $196.25 per kW‑month. The surge in electricity demand is straining grids and prompting regulators to consider charging firms for...
Jet Fuel Supply Concerns Grow as War with Iran Drags on, Airlines Cut Flights
Jet fuel prices in the United States have nearly doubled since late February, driven by the U.S.-Israel attack on Iran and the resulting closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The spike is forcing major carriers such as Lufthansa, United and...
Indonesian Rupiah Drops to Rp17,105 per Dollar Amid US‑Iran Tension
The Indonesian rupiah weakened to Rp17,105 per U.S. dollar, a 0.41% slide driven by fears of a U.S. strike on Iran if Tehran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts say heightened geopolitical risk is tightening oil markets and...
Israel Strikes Iran’s South Pars Gas Complex as Trump Threatens Nationwide Bombing
Israel launched a second airstrike on Iran’s South Pars gas‑petrochemical complex, disabling facilities that account for 85% of Iran’s petrochemical exports. At the same time, President Donald Trump warned he will destroy every Iranian power plant and bridge by 8 p.m....
Oil Shock Sorts Cruise Lines Into the Hedged and Hedged Nots
A sudden spike in global oil prices has added roughly $1.2 billion in fuel costs to the cruise industry. Companies that locked in fuel prices through hedging contracts are largely insulated, preserving operating margins, while those without hedges face earnings pressure...
Federal Permitting Delays in the US Could Drive Cost of Renewable Energy Deployment up by 10%
Federal permitting bottlenecks stalled roughly 11 GW of new solar and wind projects in the United States over the past year, inflating development costs by up to 10%. A Crux survey of 50 developers found 94% experienced at least a one‑month...
Australia in Energy Security Deal With China, as War Rages in Iran
Australia has opened high‑level talks with China to secure refined fuel supplies as the US‑Israeli conflict in Iran pushes oil prices higher. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Premier Li Qiang agreed to boost regional energy security and seek an exemption...
Brent Futures Hit Record Backwardation Amid US‑Iran Tensions
Brent (physical and futures) still pricing for a short war Brent prices have surged into a record backwardation as the United States and Iran threaten to escalate their conflict by attacking energy infrastructure on both sides of the Persian Gulf. In the...
Federal Court Upholds Ioneer’s Rhyolite Ridge Lithium Mine Permit, Clearing Path to Construction
A federal judge in Nevada upheld the Bureau of Land Management’s permit for ioneer’s Rhyolite Ridge Lithium‑Boron Project, rejecting a lawsuit that claimed the mine would endanger the rare Tiehm’s buckwheat. The ruling found the agencies complied with the Endangered...
Wholesale Solar Panels: How to Buy Smart at Scale
Buying solar panels wholesale dramatically reduces per‑watt costs, often 35‑40% lower than retail, while shortening lead times to a few days. Reliable distributors source Tier‑1 modules, maintain U.S. inventory, and offer flexible Net‑30/60 payment terms that protect installer cash flow....
$1.25 Billion Jordan Shale Power Plant Project Advances as Energy Security Strategy Gains Momentum
Jordan’s government is evaluating a $1.25 billion oil‑shale power plant that could deliver several hundred megawatts of baseload electricity. The project remains in feasibility and financing studies, with public‑private partnerships, export‑credit and multilateral support being explored. Officials are assessing plant capacity,...
Eskom Granted Two More Days to Land High Stakes Power Deal
Glencore-Merafe Chrome Venture has agreed to extend Eskom’s deadline for a new five‑year power tariff to 9 April 2026, marking the fifth postponement of the deal. The proposed tariff of 62 cents per kilowatt‑hour, a steep discount from an earlier 87 cents, is intended...
Electrovaya Secures $5m of Funding From US DOE to Test Use of Energy Storage Systems in a Data Center Environment
Canadian lithium‑ion battery maker Electrovaya received a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Critical Facility Energy Resilience program to test a 1.2 MWh battery energy storage system at Binghamton University’s data‑center testbed. The Infinity BESS, housed in a 20‑foot...
Crude Prices Soar as Iran War Looks to Escalate
Crude prices jumped 3.7% on April 7, with WTI May futures hitting a four‑week high as the Iran‑Israel‑U.S. conflict threatens to close the Strait of Hormuz. The New York Times reported Iran ended talks with Washington, while U.S. strikes on Kharg Island and...
Why Oil Markets Could Be Wildly Wrong on Strait of Hormuz
The article argues that oil markets may be overstating the impact of the Strait of Hormuz disruption, suggesting that while flows have been curtailed, they are not entirely halted. Analysts note that Iran is likely regulating traffic rather than enforcing...
From ‘Nice to Have’ to Business Critical: The TCO Case for Private 5G in Oil and Gas
Oil and gas operators are moving from legacy TETRA, Wi‑Fi and SCADA networks to private 5G as assets become more distributed and data‑intensive. The article argues that a total‑cost‑of‑ownership (TCO) lens reveals private 5G’s ability to cut unplanned outages, consolidate...
Pressure Mounts on BP over Move to Retire Legacy Climate Proposals
BP announced it will retire a set of legacy climate‑related shareholder proposals, including the Follow This initiative, as part of a broader governance review. Proxy adviser Glass Lewis and a coalition of prominent UK investors have publicly opposed the move,...
SFDR Fossil Fuel Exclusions Split Investors Amid Transition and Energy Security Fears
The EU’s Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) is under review as fossil‑fuel exclusion criteria become a flash‑point among asset managers. A public consultation seeks to overhaul the rule, sparking a split between investors prioritising climate transition and those wary of...
The Biofuels Report: RFS Reset - US Biofuel Mandates Evolve
The episode breaks down the EPA’s final rule on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for 2026‑27, highlighting higher biofuel mandates, reduced RIN credits for renewable diesel and SAF, and a new import‑feedstock rent scheme slated for 2028. Cole Martin explains...
The Road to De-Escalation With Iran
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is driving sharp increases in oil, liquefied natural gas, fertilizer and LPG prices worldwide. These spikes are inflating costs for cash‑strapped governments and jeopardizing food security in key agricultural regions. Analysts argue that...
Trump Breathes New Life Into Old Green Hydrogen Dreams
President Donald Trump’s war in Iran is reshaping global fuel strategies, prompting Japan to accelerate its green hydrogen agenda. Tokyo has teamed with New Zealand to launch a hydrogen corridor that will power a freight route between Fukushima and Fukuoka, targeting...
Houthis Threaten Bab El‑Mandeb Closure, Risk Oil Price Surge
The Houthis attempting to close the Bab el-Mandeb strait by again turning it into a shooting gallery would be a massive problem and would send oil prices into orbit. Saudis are moving their oil to Asia via the Red Sea...
Oil Price Hikes Supercharge Devon Energy’s Cash Flow
When oil rises, shale cash flow doesn’t just grow — it accelerates. 👇 $DVN Devon Energy 851k boe/d with $1.5B quarterly operating cash flow. Capex already normalized for flat growth, so upside flows directly to FCF. Variable dividend model amplifies returns. Trades...
PPC Group Completes Construction at 2.1GW Greek Solar PV Portfolio
Greek utility PPC Group has finished building a 2.13 GW solar photovoltaic portfolio across former lignite mines in northern Greece, branding it as Europe’s largest PV cluster. The 14‑project complex, highlighted by the 550 MW Phoebe plant and the 940 MW Amyntaio complex...
Assessing Nuclear Energy’s Scale and Timeline at ARPA‑E
Nuclear energy is a hot topic. But can it scale? If so, how much and by when? Those are the issues I’ll be focusing on today at the ARPA-E conference in San Diego. #nuclear #alternativeenergy https://t.co/e5GokospMI
Futures
The oil futures market continues to price a big TACO. Physical oil quotes are sky high, but futures imply a significant improvement in supply in a few weeks. If the market moves to priced a much longer disruption — and see below...
Are Manure Digesters a Real Solution to Dairy Farm Emissions?
Governments are subsidizing anaerobic digesters that turn cow manure into biogas, a technology that can slash methane emissions from dairy operations by up to 70%. Proponents argue the systems are among the most effective livestock‑focused climate tools, while critics warn...
TerraSpark, Dcubed to Test Space Solar on 2027 SpaceX Mission
TerraSpark, Dcubed to test space solar on SpaceX 2027 mission #energysky -- via pv magazine global: https://t.co/7bJQOviMER
EIA Predicts Prolonged Persian Gulf Crude Production Disruption
The US Energy Information Administration (@EIAgov) is now forecasting a rather long disruption to crude oil production in the Persian Gulf. (Note this is wellhead production rather than flows via Strait of Hormuz. It doesn't appear to include natural gas liquids,...
800 MW/1.5 GWh Dinawan Solar Farm and Battery Storage Project in Australia Secures Approval, Bids to Reduce NSW Reliance on...
Spark Renewables secured final state approval for the Dinawan hybrid project in New South Wales, pairing an 800 MW solar farm with a 356 MW/1,574 MWh battery energy storage system. The AUD 1.35 billion development sits in the South West Renewable Energy Zone and links to...
South Korea Targets 100GW Renewables by 2030
South Korea to almost triple renewable energy capacity to 100GW by 2030 #energysky -- via pv-tech: https://t.co/thORuBksig
Iran Breaches Saudi Missile Defense, Threatens 7 M Bpd Output
Iran has successfully penetrated Saudi Arabia's missile defense systems. The strikes caused major damage to energy infrastructure, & those bypass options just went out the window. If strikes continue, nearly ~7 million barrels per day could go offline for years. #crude...
Oil Prices Reach Low Boil Ahead Of Strait Of Hormuz End Game
Crude oil prices climbed to $115.79 a barrel, the highest level since the Iran‑Israel conflict began, as the U.S. deadline for Tehran to relinquish control of the Strait of Hormuz approaches. The S&P 500 slipped 0.9% amid fears that a further...
Prediction Markets See 75% Chance Oil >$130, Equities Possibly Mispriced
Wait - Prediction markets are pricing a 75% chance of oil $130+ by the end of the year, and a coin flip it's $150+? I feel like if that's true, equities are not correctly priced... https://t.co/GkFbvHEOZp
Solar‑plus‑storage Can Supply 90% of India's Electricity
Solar-plus-storage could meet 90% of India’s power demand – Ember #energysky -- via pv-tech: https://t.co/IMEg4Tr5rK
Proposed Brownsville Refinery Moves Forward With FEED Engineering Phase
Fluor Corporation has been awarded the front‑end engineering and design (FEED) contract for the America First Refining (AFR) project in Brownsville, Texas. The grassroots refinery is planned to process up to 168,000 barrels of light U.S. crude per day and...
Math Joins Trump's Scheme to Seize Iran's Oil
Mr. Arithmetic decided to help Donald Trump on his plan to take Iran's oil https://t.co/s6Rgop3tz8
German Rooftop PV Tender Undersubscribed Despite Stable Prices
German rooftop PV tender undersubscribed as prices hold #energysky -- via pv magazine global: https://t.co/hXVT3aGM0P
New Episode: Q&A with Sweden’s Nuclear Power Chief
Sweden has dramatically reversed its nuclear policy, scrapping the phase‑out plan and opening the door for new reactors. The government lifted the cap on operating units, approved additional sites and introduced incentives to speed investment. Its roadmap now targets at...
New Episode: Q&A with Sweden’s Nuclear Power Chief
Sweden has reversed its nuclear phase‑out, now targeting at least 2.5 GW of new capacity by 2035 and roughly ten reactors by 2045. The government lifted the cap on reactors, approved new sites and introduced incentives to speed up investment. Carl Berglöf,...
The Promise of Non-Pipeline Alternatives to Gas Lines
California is moving faster to eliminate natural‑gas service lines, highlighted by Assemblymember Marc Berman’s Home Energy Choice Act (AB 2313). The bill would compel utilities to offer financial incentives for homeowners to electrify, letting participants forgo gas service and avoid costly...
I Audited 6 Hydrogen Vendor Claims. Three Are False, One Exceeds the Laws of Thermodynamics.
A recent audit of six hydrogen vendor claims revealed three outright false statements, one that only holds in specific U.S. geographies, one conditionally achievable, and a 95% efficiency claim that violates thermodynamic limits. The analysis contextualizes these exaggerations against a...
PV‑Hydro Storage Could Drop to $0.022/kWh LCOE
PV-driven hydraulic hydro storage may hit $0.022/kWh LCOE in the U.S. #energysky -- via pv magazine usa: https://t.co/qGvRRcDfXZ
The Hormuz War Will End
The near‑closure of the Strait of Hormuz has removed roughly 9‑10 million barrels of crude, 5 million barrels of refined products and 20% of global LNG from markets, creating the worst energy shock since the 1973 Arab oil embargo. Existing bypass pipelines...