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:
Ukraine Says Russian Attacks Kill Four People, Leave Thousands without Power
Russian strikes killed four civilians and injured several others across southeastern Ukraine, while a drone attack knocked out power in the northern Chernihiv region and caused partial outages in Kyiv. The attacks underscore Russia’s sustained campaign against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, which has repeatedly forced hours‑long blackouts. Ukrainian officials reported damage to multiple facilities, and the neighboring Russian Belgorod region said Ukrainian shelling killed four people there. The incidents highlight the war’s expanding impact on civilian utilities and cross‑border hostilities.
Electric Propulsion Innovator Arc Raises $50M in New Funding
Arc, a Los Angeles‑based electric boat and powertrain firm, closed a $50 million Series C round led by investors such as a16z, Menlo Ventures, and Eclipse. The capital will be used to accelerate production of electric tugboat powertrains and to expand the...
Renewables Are the Answer to Geopolitical Energy Spikes
If Trump does on Monday what he has threatened, oil and ‘natural’ gas prices will absolutely skyrocket. Iran isnt going to open the Strait of Hormuz. Destroying all their energy infrastructure will only entrench their resolve to keep it closed. There’s...
Oil Futures Face New Pressure as the US and Iran Trade Threats to Strike Key Infrastructure
Oil futures surged on Monday as U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran of bombing its power plants unless the Strait of Hormuz reopened within 48 hours. Brent crude rose 1.27% to about $113.5 a barrel and WTI to $99, pushing...
Cavotec Secures €3M Shore Power Order for Southern Italy Ports
Cavotec has won a €3 million contract to install its PowerFeed, PowerReach and PowerMove shore‑power systems across several Southern Italy ports. The equipment will let cruise, container and RoRo vessels draw electricity from the grid while docked, eliminating the need for...
Iran's Hormuz Threat Emerges as Top Market Risk
⚠️ Iran threatening to shut down the Strait of Hormuz is NOT just geopolitical noise. It’s the single biggest macro risk in the market right now. ~20% of global oil flows through that choke point. If it closes: • Oil spikes • Inflation rebounds • Risk...
Over 1,200 New EV Charging Stalls Deployed By EVgo In 2025
EVgo announced it installed more than 1,200 new fast‑charging stalls in 2025, expanding its U.S. network to 5,100 stalls across 47 states. The company recorded a 366 GWh public‑network throughput, surpassed 1.6 million customer accounts, and generated $384 million in revenue, a 50%...
Decarbonization Rush Under China Increases Human Suffering
One result will be the human toll during the painful rush to decarbonize under Chinese hegemony (industrial base for that is there). This is probably baked in by now though depth of suffering depends on how and when this phase...
Trump’s 48-Hour Hormuz Ultimatum to Iran Raises Stakes in Gulf War
President Donald Trump issued a 48‑hour ultimatum demanding Iran fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face the obliteration of its power plants. Iran responded by threatening to strike U.S. energy, information‑technology and desalination infrastructure across the Gulf. The exchange...
The Oil Shell Game: Peeling Away the Bluster of the Latest Oil Announcements
The Trump Administration announced temporary licenses to allow Iranian and Russian crude to move and offered 86 million barrels from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). Experts argue the licensing is largely symbolic, as sanctions, insurance gaps, and financing constraints keep...
Lloyd’s Register Partners with Echo Marine Group to Deliver Electric Ferry Fleet
Lloyd’s Register has entered a partnership with Echo Marine Group to certify the design and construction of five battery‑electric passenger ferries for Perth’s Swan River, creating Western Australia’s first fully electric ferry fleet. The vessels are part of the METRONET...
Starmer Adviser Calls for Temporary Energy Windfall Tax to Curb ‘Profiteering’
A senior adviser to UK Labour leader Keir Starmer has called for a temporary windfall tax on energy firms. The proposal targets companies that have posted record profits amid soaring wholesale prices. Proceeds would be directed toward measures that ease...
Vietnam PM Visits Russia to Sign Energy Deal Amid Iran War Disruption
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh travelled to Moscow to sign a suite of energy agreements, including oil‑and‑gas cooperation and a nuclear power plant partnership, as Hanoi seeks to bolster fuel reserves. The deal covers trade, investment, exploration, extraction and...
California's Anti‑refinery Stance Threatens Pacific Military Fuel Security
I’ve been accused of being too soft on @SecWar. Fine. Problem is his performance has been exceptional. But here’s where I’m livid: no serious DoW pressure on Newsom and the California Coastal Commission which are both getting massive support from China. Oil...
Iran Vows to Hit Oil Sites if US Strikes Power Plants
Iran warned it will destroy oil facilities and critical infrastructure across the Middle East if the United States strikes its power plants, following President Donald Trump's ultimatum to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by March 23. The parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said...
Iceland Boss Calls for Profit Cap on Energy Firms as Prices Surge
Iceland boss Richard Walker, now a Labour peer, urged the UK government to impose a temporary profit cap on energy producers and retailers amid soaring oil and gas prices triggered by Middle East tensions. He argues existing windfall taxes are...
How to Burn Less Oil
The blog argues that cutting oil use hinges on time horizon: short‑run reductions require steep price hikes or drastic behavior shifts, while the long‑run offers ample room for vehicle replacement with fuel‑efficient or electric models. Recent geopolitical tension, exemplified by...
Govt to Launch Bid for 7th Tranche of Critical Mineral Blocks on March 23
India will launch its seventh tranche of critical mineral auctions on March 23, 2026, offering 19 blocks across multiple states. The blocks contain lithium, graphite, rare‑earth elements, tungsten, vanadium and titanium, essential for electric vehicles, renewables, fertilizers and defence. The...
WA Government Calls for Calm as Fuel Prices Soar
Western Australia’s government has issued a public appeal for calm as fuel prices reach record levels statewide. The surge, attributed to rising global crude costs and regional supply constraints, has pushed pump prices to unprecedented heights. Despite mounting consumer pressure,...
Iran’s Natanz Facility Hit as US Deploys 2,500 Marines, Oil Prices Spike Above $100
Iran confirmed an airstrike on its Natanz enrichment plant with no radiation leak, while the United States dispatched three amphibious assault ships and roughly 2,500 additional Marines. The escalation pushed crude above $100 a barrel, underscoring the war’s immediate impact...
Sinopec Posts 36.8% Drop in 2025 Net Profit on Weak Petrochemical Margins, New Energy Substitution
Sinopec reported a 36.8% plunge in 2025 net profit to 31.8 billion yuan, driven by weaker petrochemical margins and accelerating substitution by new‑energy sources. Refinery throughput slipped 0.8% to 250.33 million tonnes, while petrol and diesel output fell 2.4% and 9.1% respectively....
Impending LNG Shortage Highlights Energy Security Risks
The last LNG tankers from the Gulf arrive in the next 10 days. After that, many countries face a sharp drop in supply. Qatar's Ras Laffan — 20% of global LNG — could be offline for 3-5 years. Fossil fuel...
Green Schools = Big Savings
A new Building Power Resource Center report shows school districts nationwide cutting utility bills by installing solar panels, geothermal systems, and other efficiency upgrades. Kentucky schools saved over $2 million, Rhode Island districts trim $60,000 annually, and Colorado’s middle school reduced...
Hormuz and Malacca Move Over 40% of Global Oil
The Strait of Hormuz and the Strait of Malacca combined handle more than 40% of all maritime oil trade. Source: Vizualytiks https://www.voronoiapp.com/trade/How-is-Oil-Transported-Globally-7879
Iran Rakes $2.5B From Oil Amid War
Aside the relaxation of US sanctions on Iranian oil, for Tehran the big win is the fact that >20 days into the war, it’s still exporting oil via Hormuz. At ~1.5m b/d (and assuming $85 a barrel) that’s a ~$2.5...
Iran's Strike on Qatar Threatens Gulf Energy Supply
Iran struck Qatar's gas infrastructure. Qatar is the world's largest LNG exporter. This isn't just oil at risk. It's the entire Gulf energy supply chain. $XLE is at all-time highs for a reason. https://t.co/7TjuVfAelG
Capturing Kharg Island Won’t Halt Iran’s Oil Flow
KHARG ISLAND — a thread: Trump has talked about taking Iran's Kharg Island for 40 years. The problem? Capturing it won't shut down Iran’s entire oil export system. And thus it won't lead to Hormuz re-opening fast enough. 🧵1/10 @Opinion FREE-TO-READ: https://t.co/ZOYtq3KESE https://t.co/xtLBqPShB6
US Gas Prices Shifted to Brent‑Only Influence After 2010
"U.S. retail gasoline prices respond to Brent and WTI before January 2010 and then only to Brent afterwards." (Note: this study is from 2019)
Bombing Iran's Power Grid Is a Terrible Idea
My response to Trump’s threat to bomb Iran’s electric grid is simple: Don’t. My latest. Link is below. https://t.co/kLs8lfC8Or
Oil Price Panic Scenarios Need Impossible Export Collapse
Of course you can paint all kinds of horror scenarios for oil prices. But they require two things: (i) a collapse in oil export volumes out of the Gulf from current levels near 10 mmb/d; (ii) a price elasticity of...
Iranian Oil Claim Covers only One Week, Now Week Four
Even if this were true (which, naw), the 140 million barrels of Iranian oil on water Bessent cites here would offset roughly one week of Hormuz stoppage. We’re now in week 4.
China Faces Gas Shortfall as Gulf LNG Runs Out
"World faces gas supply cliff edge as Gulf’s final LNG shipments approach ports" https://t.co/OjcnxXcs8a "China gets 30 per cent of its LNG from the Gulf but has some domestic gas production and can switch to coal-fired power generation if needed." https://t.co/ikbgxbUPhV
White House Must Reopen Strait of Hormuz Quickly
"To expect it to cave in today... ignores past lessons. And unlike the Islamic Republic, the White House doesn’t have the benefit of time. It needs to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in days or, at worst, weeks." - @JavierBlas...
Satellite Shows Iran Exporting Oil with US Backing
Iran’s Kharg Island as seen **today** by the @CopernicusEU Sentinel-2 satellite. Iran is loading multiple tankers, exporting oil and making $$$ — now, with the help of the White House. The idea that Trump admin is using Iranian oil barrels...
Chinese PV Wafer Prices Drop Amid Weak Demand
Chinese PV Industry Brief: Wafer prices fall on weak demand #energysky -- via pv magazine global: https://t.co/Lzcqrequzf
US‑backed Tankers Keep Loading at Kharg Despite Tensions
Threats are flying between the US and Iran, but what matters for oil prices isn't words but deeds. Those deeds are that big oil tankers with capacity of 2 million barrels keep docking at Kharg Island to fill up. This...
Spain's Power Prices Rarely Linked to Gas, Unlike UK/Italy
Gas only sets Spain's electricity price 15% of the time. When gas costs spike it barely registers on the electricity bill. In countries like Italy and the UK gas sets the price 90% of the time. The difference is enormous. I...
Rising Gas Prices Drag Down Discretionary Spending
Energy sector $XLE: +33% YTD Consumer Discretionary sector $XLY: -10% YTD Higher gas prices are expected to reduce discretionary spending. The more you spend at the pump, the less you have to spend elsewhere (travel, restaurants, clothing, etc.). Video: https://t.co/kTI1Olplo7
Sigenergy Launches 166 kW Inverter for C&I Solar
Sigenergy unveils 166 kW inverter for C&I solar #energysky -- via pv magazine global: https://t.co/8cg9ePcbMA
Iran Vows Retaliation Against US Energy, IT, Desalination Facilities
It’s the desalination plants, stupid. — Iran said that if its energy infrastructure is targeted, it will strike back at energy, IT and desalination facilities belonging to the United States and its allies in the region. https://t.co/gAFL9FJeZ2
California's Gas Supply Depends on Asian Petroleum Imports
What if Asia gets worried and stops sending petroleum to California. (Where did you think Californians get their gas since @GavinNewsom started closing oil refineries?)
Higher Oil Prices Won’t Spark US Drilling Surge
“Just because oil prices have spiked higher on geopolitical risk does not mean that US oil companies will drill baby drill"
Supply Chain Gaps Cripple Energy Despite Abundant Output
"The Waha market’s collapse underscores a pressing issue in global energy: Even when there’s enough raw-material output, many parts of the world lack the critical supply chains necessary to ship product where it’s needed" https://t.co/SUdaWtbJpH https://t.co/I9cYdXcGNR
Bombing Iran's Plants Equals De Facto Embargo, Says Analyst
If the US bombs Iran's power plants, there's no power to fill up oil tankers, so it's an embargo. Same with taking Kharg Island by force. Iran will stop exporting oil, so it's an embargo. Much better to do an...
UK Urged to Cap Energy Profits Amid Price Surge
The UK should consider temporarily capping the profits of energy companies to protect consumers as prices spike in the wake of the Iran conflict, a top government adviser says https://t.co/fNlKVlPQy2 https://t.co/Smfsfn7hi3
Historic 400M‑Barrel Release Won’t Ease Prices
400 million barrels. Largest emergency stockpile release in history. $BRN still at $112. The market is telling you exactly what it's pricing: this won't be enough. Think. https://t.co/t5SmTDXuzM
Targeting Iran's Power Plants Could Irreversibly Destroy Middle East Infrastructure
DUBAI, March 22 (Reuters) - Critical infrastructure and energy facilities in the Middle East could be "irreversibly destroyed" should Iranian power plants be targeted, Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said in comments posted on X on Sunday.
Trump, Iran Threaten Gulf Energy Targets, Raising Global Crisis Risks
TEL AVIV/JERUSALEM/WASHINGTON, March 22 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump and Iran threatened to escalate their war by attacking energy facilities in the Gulf, a potential widening of hostilities which could deepen a regional crisis and add to concerns in...
Iran Vows to Strike Regional Energy Infrastructure After Trump Ultimatum
Iran responds to Trump’s 48-hour ultimatum: “… the critical infrastructure, energy infrastructure, and oil facilities throughout the region will be considered legitimate targets and will be destroyed…”
Miliband's North Sea Crackdown Appears Increasingly Senseless
The latest episode of Miliband is a moron. Miliband’s North Sea crackdown seems more senseless than ever https://t.co/6VIBbf0chb