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:
US Bunker‑buster Strikes Hit Iranian Nuclear Site as Drone Hits Oil Tanker, Crude Prices Jump
The United States launched 2,000‑pound bunker‑buster bombs on an Isfahan ammunition depot linked to Iran’s enriched uranium program, while an Iranian drone struck the Kuwaiti‑owned Al Salmi tanker carrying 2 million barrels of oil near the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude rose more than 2% to $115.17 a barrel as the conflict threatens global oil flows.
Chiyoda and NYK Chase Carbon Capture Business Around the World
Japanese engineering giant Chiyoda Corporation has signed a memorandum of understanding with shipping leader Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) and its subsidiary Knutsen NYK Carbon Carriers (KNCC) to pursue carbon capture and storage projects worldwide. The trio previously completed a 2024...
Commission Opens Formal State Aid Assessment of French Support to New Nuclear Programme
The European Commission has launched an in‑depth state‑aid investigation into France’s €72.8 billion (≈ $79 billion) support package for six new nuclear reactors totaling 9,990 MW, slated for commissioning between 2038 and 2044. The aid combines a subsidised loan covering 60% of construction costs,...
US Gas Futures Drop Below $3, Boosting Clean Generation
U.S. GAS FUTURESprices for the front-month have slipped well below $3 per million British thermal units to encourage more gas-fired generation and reduce coal combustion. Inflation-adjusted front-month futures have averaged just $3.05 so far in March (21st percentile for all...
Why Utilities Projects Need Better Early Collaboration
UK utility infrastructure projects frequently stall because key disciplines operate in silos, leading to delays, cost overruns, and stakeholder conflict. Giles Lister of Bruton Knowles argues that early, integrated collaboration among engineers, planners, environmental specialists, land agents, and community liaisons...
Rolls-Royce Starts Construction of Battery Energy Storage Facility in Falkirk
Rolls‑Royce has begun building an 86 MWh, 43 MW battery energy storage system at the Bankside site in Falkirk, Scotland, under an EPC contract with Voltaria Helios Energy Storage. The facility is slated for grid connection later this year and full commercial...
NGEN Building 170MWh Austria BESS; Foresight and EBRD Invest in Germany, Lithuania Developers
NGEN has broken ground on an 85 MW/170 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) in Wagenham, Upper Austria, targeting commercial operation later this year. The two‑hour plant will bolster grid flexibility and support renewable integration at a key European interconnection point with...
CORRECTION - CLEW Guide – Hungary Sees Solar Boom but Remains Dependent on Russian Energy, Fossil Fuels
Hungary is rapidly expanding solar power, aiming to raise capacity from about 7 GW today to nearly 12 GW by 2030, while still relying heavily on Russian gas and oil, which supplied 74 % and 48 % of its imports in 2024 respectively. The...
Telemetry Data Exposes Scale of Unplanned Power Outages
Telemetry from Wetility’s national solar‑battery network recorded 91,934 unplanned grid outages across South Africa in 2025, showing households endured six to nine outages per month. While Eskom reports an improved Energy Availability Factor of 65.31% and a 46.7% drop in...
From Belt and Road to Belt Tightening: China's Neighbours Get Cold Shoulder on Energy
China has imposed broad bans on fertilizer and fuel exports, citing domestic energy security concerns, while refusing to acknowledge the restrictions publicly. Southeast Asian nations—including Bangladesh, the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, and Australia—are pressing Beijing to honor existing contracts and keep...
Fracture Characteristics From Well Flowrate Fluctuations: A Statistical Physics Approach
Researchers propose a statistical‑physics framework that treats well flow‑rate fluctuations as a proxy for subsurface strain changes. By applying Jaynes' maximum entropy principle with energy‑input constraints, they link covariance of inter‑well flow noise to non‑local stiffness tensors. This relationship enables...
Italy, Spain Set Solar Records in March
AleaSoft Energy Forecasting reported that weekly average electricity prices fell across most major European markets, with the average dipping below €90 ($103) per MWh in seven countries. Record‑low prices of €0.18/MWh ($0.21) were logged in Portugal and Spain, the latter...
Strait Talk: Crisis in the Gulf
In this episode Tom Reid of Argus discusses the escalating Hormuz crisis with Dubai‑based colleagues Nada Itayim and Bashar al‑Halabi. They examine the U.S. deployment of the USS Tripoli, the strategic importance of Iran’s Kharg Island as a major oil export...
'Wind Has Grown up – Now Germany's Market Design Needs to Catch Up'
Onshore wind now supplies roughly a quarter of Germany’s electricity, supports over 100,000 jobs and generates billions in regional value. The upcoming EEG 2027 reform will introduce contracts‑for‑difference, shifting to a production‑based hybrid design that pays out when market revenues fall...
EIB Global Agrees $200m Green Financing for Vietnam’s Techcombank
European Investment Bank’s global arm has committed a $200 million green financing facility to Vietnam’s Techcombank. The loan will be deployed to expand the bank’s lending for renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable transport projects. This partnership aligns with Vietnam’s push...
What End-to-End Visibility Reveals About Hidden BESS Safety Risks
The article highlights hidden safety risks in battery energy storage systems (BESS) and argues that end‑to‑end visibility across the entire lifecycle is essential to mitigate them. It contrasts BESS with solar, noting that batteries remain energized and demand continuous monitoring,...
Chevron’s Wheatstone LNG Plant Remains Offline Due to Cyclone Damage
Chevron announced that its Wheatstone LNG plant in Western Australia suffered extensive damage from Tropical Cyclone Narelle, forcing both of its 8.9‑million‑ton‑a‑year processing trains offline. The damage includes fin‑fan arrays and air‑cooled heat exchangers, making repairs complex and time‑consuming. Chevron...
Solar Above 60° North: The Arctic as PV’s Next Frontier
The International Energy Agency’s Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme reports that solar installations above 60° N are expanding rapidly, with capacity reaching roughly 1,400 MWp by 2023 and annual growth rates of 46‑145% in key regions. Cold temperatures boost panel efficiency, while bifacial...
Bull of the Day: Permian Resources (PR)
Permian Resources (PR) has been added to Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buy list as oil prices climb above $100 per barrel following Middle East disruptions. The company’s shares hit a 52‑week high of $21, up more than 50% year‑to‑date, while...
Will California Fund or Kill Its Thriving Virtual Power Plant Program?
California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration is weighing whether to end the four‑year‑old Demand Side Grid Support (DSGS) virtual power plant program, which now supplies over 1 GW of capacity and offsets peak demand comparable to San Francisco’s load. Lawmakers and clean‑energy advocates...
Arizona Cuts Key Renewables Policy as Clean Energy Market Takes Off
Arizona’s elected Corporation Commission voted unanimously to eliminate the state’s renewable portfolio standard, which required 15% clean electricity by 2025. The repeal is justified by commissioners as a cost‑saving measure, yet utilities remain locked into long‑term renewable contracts that may...
MFRR Capacity - Germany 2025
Germany’s manual Frequency Restoration Reserve (mFRR) market generated about €60 million ($65 million) in 2025, but its tendered volumes have fallen to roughly 20% of aFRR capacity over the last decade. Downward mFRR prices dip to around €1/MW·h ($1.09) in winter, while...
The Nuclear Safety Protections in Federal Crosshairs
President Trump’s recent executive orders are prompting the Department of Energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to roll back the long‑standing ALARA radiation‑protection standards that have limited worker and public exposure at federal nuclear sites. The changes could allow up...
ROUNDUP: Non-Lithium Energy Storage System Technology Advances in US, Spain, and Scotland
The roundup highlights rapid progress in non‑lithium energy storage, with Unigrid’s sodium‑ion cells reaching 5,000 full‑depth cycles and projecting a 25‑year lifespan that matches solar PV panels. Inlyte Energy secured a domestic iron‑powder supply partnership to scale its iron‑sodium (ZEBRA)...
Thermochemical Energy Storage Leader Redoxblox Rebrands as Tempo
Redoxblox has rebranded as Tempo, signaling its shift from research to commercial scaling of a thermochemical energy storage platform that delivers continuous, combustion‑free heat up to 1,200 °C. The system can charge fully in four hours, allowing factories to capture low‑cost...
UK Seeks Views on Reshaping Cyber Laws for Downstream Gas and Electricity
The UK government, together with regulator Ofgem, has launched a consultation on revising cyber‑resilience rules for downstream gas and electricity licensees. The proposal would impose baseline cyber security requirements on all Ofgem‑licensed operators, while applying stricter standards to the most...
Hithium Signs 3GWh Long-Duration BESS Agreement with APAC Investor Brawn Capital
Chinese battery maker Hithium announced a strategic cooperation with Hong Kong‑based private‑equity firm Brawn Capital to develop up to 3 GWh of long‑duration battery‑energy‑storage systems (BESS) in the Asia‑Pacific region by 2030. The partnership will leverage Brawn’s investment and project‑development capabilities,...
Dawsongroup Buys First JCB Hydrogen Generator
Dawsongroup Energy Solutions has taken delivery of JCB’s first hydrogen internal‑combustion generator, the G60RS H genset, designed for top‑up and peak‑power alongside battery and grid supply. The unit matches diesel performance while emitting zero carbon at the point of use and...
RepAir Carbon Opens a Luxembourg Office to Scale Its Electrochemical Carbon Capture Tech Across Europe
RepAir Carbon, an Israeli deep‑tech firm, opened a Luxembourg office to drive its electrochemical direct‑air‑capture (DAC) technology across Europe. The solid‑state system claims 70% lower energy use than conventional DAC and already backs projects with Shell, Mitsubishi, and C‑Questra. RepAir’s...
Drone Strike Hits Laden Supertanker Off Dubai as Gulf Shipping Incidents Flare Again
A Kuwaiti‑flagged VLCC Al Salmi, carrying about 2 million barrels of Saudi and Kuwaiti crude, was struck by a drone off Dubai, sparking a fire that was later extinguished without injuries or oil leakage. The incident, reported by UKMTO, follows a recent...
Fuelling Up: The New ‘Obsession’ Drawing Singaporeans to Malaysia’s Johor
Sharp spikes in Singapore’s fuel prices, driven by the Middle East conflict, have made RON97 petrol nearly twice as expensive as in Malaysia’s Johor Bahru (US$2.64 vs US$1.27 per litre). Singapore drivers, bound by a law requiring tanks to be...
ClearVue Awarded International Certification on Rooftop Solar Panels
ClearVue Technologies, in partnership with Helios Power, secured International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) certification for its new building‑integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) rooftop panels. The metal‑backed design offers weatherproofing, fire‑class A safety, and enhanced wind‑load performance, extending roof lifespan. With the certification in...
Oil-Thirsty Asian Nations Seek Russian Crude as Iran War Strains Supplies
Asian nations are scrambling for Russian crude as the U.S.-Israel war with Iran has cut roughly one‑fifth of global oil supply, especially through the Strait of Hormuz. The United States temporarily eased sanctions on Russian shipments, first for India and...
FTSE 100 Live: Stocks Inch up; Fuel Shortage Fears Hit Airlines; Unilever Nears Food Deal
Oil prices surged in March, with Brent crude climbing over 51% since February and staying above $110 a barrel, marking the largest monthly gain on record. The spike follows the outbreak of war in Iran and heightened threats to the...
Worldwide Climate Momentum: EVs, Renewables, and Emission Cuts Accelerate
Good climate news (the past 3 weeks) 1 Global: EV sales show strong uptick everywhere 2 China: 32.5GW of solar, 11GW of wind added in January and February 3 India: National Climate Plan commits to 60% electricity from non-fossil fuel sources by...
Vietnam LNG Project Pivots to Renewables Amid Price Surge
LNG DEMAND DESTRUCTION ALERT 🇻🇳🚨 A proposed Vietnam LNG power project is asking the government to switch to a renewables+battery plant, citing surging fuel prices linked to the Middle East conflict Vietnam was expected to be a high-growth LNG importer https://t.co/ac6gBNmCDr
Hydrogen Set to Be Broad Demand, Strong Growth Sector, Valterra Platinum Highlights
South Africa’s Valterra Platinum says platinum‑group metals are critical catalysts for the expanding hydrogen economy, which is seeing strong global growth despite short‑term challenges. The company highlighted the role of PGMs in fuel‑cell trucks, electrolyzers and green‑hydrogen projects, while noting...
Iran Sets Hormuz Toll, Bans US, Israeli Vessels
Iran’s parliament approved a formal toll and access regime for the Strait of Hormuz but bars vessels linked to the US, Israel and countries that have imposed unilateral sanctions on Iran from passage. https://t.co/c28zaLYYtE
China’s Electrification Shields It From Rising Oil Prices
China's electrification bet is paying off. Electricity now accounts for 30% of its energy consumption - around 50% higher than the US or Europe. With 1/3 of global renewable energy capacity already installed, China is structurally more insulated from rising oil...
Ukrainian Drones Hit Transneft Oil Loading at Ust‑Luga
MOSCOW, March 31 (Reuters) - Ukrainian drones on Tuesday struck crude oil loading facilities of Russian pipeline monopoly Transneft TRNF_p.MM at the Baltic port of Ust-Luga, three industry sources said.
European Gas Prices Dip, Still 75% Above Pre‑War
The European benchmark natural gas price (TTF) is today **lower** than four weeks ago. Yup: Lower. (And yes, TTF prices are still up >75% from pre-war levels, but around the same level as they were in Jan-Feb 2025)
US Gas Prices Top $4 Gallon, First Since 2022
CHART OF THE DAY: The US gasoline national average retail price has risen above $4 per gallon for the first time since 2022, per the @AAA_Travel. It's the kind of price level that typically has triggered political alarms inside the...
Robots Accelerate Solar Panel Installation, Boost Safety
#Robots Take Over Solar Panel Installation for Faster, Safer Deployment by @lukas_m_ziegler Robotics #ArtificialIntelligence #MI #ML #Tech #Innovation https://t.co/frX7ZyVon4
Energy Access Must Drive Finance for a Just Prosperity
In 2015, 193 countries promised energy for all. With 2030 approaching, we can’t keep #SDG7 in the shadows. We must align public and private finance around one truth: #energyaccess is the foundation of prosperity and a just transition. https://t.co/2InRV0Py7O
Singapore Braces for Higher Power Bills Amid LNG Shortage
Singapore warns of higher power bills for months due to the Middle East conflict 🇸🇬📈 The country was getting half of its LNG from Qatar (which is now shut) "Everyone can play a part by using more energy-efficient appliances and conserving...
Managed Money's Oil Options Net Long 50× Average
Goldman Sachs on the oil options market: “… The rally has spread beyond the spot crude market, with net long options managed money positioning 50 times higher than its 10-year average as investors bought options with strikes as high as $450...
Asia's Coal Prices Surge as Gas Supply Tightens
Asia's coal benchmark is at a 17-month high as Middle East conflict chokes gas supplies 🪨⚠️ Australian Newcastle coal futures for April hit $144.25/ton on Monday (the March contract expired Friday at $135.60) Asian countries are expanding use of coal to cut...
Russia and Saudi Dominate Bab El‑Mandeb Oil Flows to Asia
Goldman on the Bab el-Mandeb Strait: Russia accounts for 44% of oil exports via the Strait and Saudi Arabia for 42%, with nearly 90% of total flows going to Asia. https://t.co/Y8kpvJJoaC
Iran Attacks Kuwaiti Oil Tanker in Dubai Port
Iran has hit a fully laden Kuwaiti oil tanker in the anchorage area of Dubai’s port, damaging the hull and starting a fire on board, state-run Kuwait Petroleum Corporation said https://t.co/z0pPgEwdwx
Nine India‑bound Energy Ships Stuck at Hormuz
🇮🇳India: 9 India-bound energy vessels — carrying crude oil, LNG, and LPG — remain stranded at or near the Strait of Hormuz, unable to transit https://t.co/IzlRQxYqGH