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:
Carbon Storage Technologies Could Boost Revenues for Pulp and Paper Producers: Fastmarkets Research
Fastmarkets warns EU ETS free allocation phase‑out will hit about 40% of European pulp mills from 2026. The loss of roughly €4.5 billion in surplus allowances and rising compliance costs pressure already tight margins. Analysts suggest carbon capture and storage (CCS) or selling CO₂ removal credits could generate new revenue and offset ETS liabilities. Viability hinges on proximity to storage hubs, as transport costs can make CCS uneconomic for remote sites.

A New Milestone for Smart, Affordable Electricity Growth
Google announced that it has integrated a total of 1 GW of demand‑response capacity into its long‑term energy contracts with multiple U.S. utilities. The program lets data‑center workloads, especially machine‑learning tasks, be shifted or curtailed to help balance grid supply and...
Electricity Prices Have Increased and Vary by Region : The Latest BLS Data and Recent Research
Residential electricity prices in the United States have surged, climbing 44.4% between April 2020 and January 2026, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The Northeast Census Region now pays the highest average rate at $0.265 per kilowatt‑hour, while the South remains...

Oil $200 Price Unrealistic; Even $150 Doubtful
Of course it's possible that oil goes to $200. But that kind of price level basically assumes a return to full shut down for all oil coming out of the Persian Gulf and a very low price elasticity of demand....

Oil Surge Triggers Market Dip, Bitcoin Buying Opportunity
It's all about Oil and Natural Gas. Brent Oil hits $110 and higher. Natural Gas is skyrocketing. As a result, markets have been tumbling as another escalation is unfolding in the Middle East. If this doesn't consolidate, I don't see a reason for the...

As War in Iran Roils Energy Markets, Europe Pays Price of ‘Dependency’
Europe’s energy markets were jolted on Thursday as military strikes on Qatar and Iran drove natural‑gas prices above €70/MWh and Brent crude past $114 per barrel, levels not seen since the 2022 Russia‑Ukraine war. French officials highlighted that 90% of...
Europe’s Gas Crisis Sparks Powerlessness, Calls for Referendum
The problem with soaring gas prices in Europe is that it is deja vu all over again when it comes to extreme powerlessness. FWIW - It is hard to imagine Europe gets through this without a voter referendum on powerlessness. Needless to...

Europe’s Nightmare Choice: Pay Trump for LNG or Beg Putin for Gas After Gulf Strikes Wipe Out Qatar Supply?
In this episode, Justin McShane outlines the sudden European energy crisis triggered by Israel’s strike on Iran’s South Pars field and Iran’s retaliation that crippled Qatar’s Ras Laffin LNG hub, cutting 20% of global supply. He explains how soaring gas...
Iran Vows to Cripple Middle East Energy if Attacked
JUST IN: 🇮🇷🇺🇸🇮🇱 Iran announced that if Israel and US once again attack the Iranian energy infrastructure they will destroy all the infrastructure in the middle east for good “We warn the enemy that you made a major mistake by attacking...

Geopolitical Oil Surge Threatens India's Inflation and Rupee
Surging Crude Oil Prices: The geopolitical unrest caused Brent crude oil prices to spike past $115–$118 per barrel. As a major energy importer, this poses a significant risk to India's inflation outlook, the rupee, and corporate profit margins.

If the Iran War Takes Oil Above US$120 a Barrel, How Bad Could the Shock Get?
The escalating US‑Israel‑Iran conflict has pushed crude prices above $120 a barrel as Iranian forces strike Gulf oil and LNG infrastructure and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. Analysts warn that the disruption could evolve into a prolonged supply shock,...

Partial Approval Backed for Västvind Project
The County Administrative Board has recommended granting a permit for the offshore wind farm Västvind’s portion in Sweden’s Exclusive Economic Zone, citing the need for more electricity in western Sweden. The Land and Environment Court is still reviewing the segment...
Utilities Under Pressure: Delivering Resilience that Holds Up
Regulators are tightening operational‑resilience requirements for utilities and energy‑trading firms after ransomware attacks affected two‑thirds of the sector in 2024, with average recovery costs near $3 million. The UK’s Ofgem and Europe’s DORA now demand demonstrable, evidence‑based resilience rather than theoretical...

Filipino Jeepney Drivers Struggle as Oil Prices Surge: ‘What We Earn Goes to Diesel’
The war in the Middle East has driven global oil prices higher, pushing Philippine diesel costs up more than double. Jeepney drivers like Toni Prado now earn as little as 200 pesos a day, down from roughly 1,000 pesos, prompting...
Which Country Is the Biggest Loser From the Energy Shock?
The article examines how the recent global energy shock is disproportionately harming South Asian economies. Nepal faces long queues and rationing for cooking gas, Sri Lanka has ordered Wednesday factory shutdowns, and Pakistan has closed schools and shifted universities online. The...

Brazil’s Petrobras Leverages 3DCRIAR’s Multi-Location Outsourcing Model to Advance 3D Printing in Oil and Gas
Petrobras has deepened its additive‑manufacturing strategy by partnering with 3DCRIAR to run fully outsourced polymer 3D‑printing labs at its CENPES research center and across five coastal hubs. The labs create a digital inventory of validated part designs that can be...

Building the Energy Resilience ASEAN+3 Needs
Energy systems across ASEAN+3 are facing mounting pressure from climate‑related shocks, surging electricity demand driven by AI and digital infrastructure, and heightened geopolitical volatility. The region’s leaders view resilience not merely as an energy‑policy goal but as a macro‑economic necessity....

The United Nations Has a Blueprint for Opening the Strait of Hormuz
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has been halted, driving oil prices above $100 per barrel and threatening global food security. The United Nations, recalling its 2022 Black Sea Grain Initiative that enabled safe Ukrainian grain shipments, could apply a...
Ghana Opposition Demands Scrap of GH₵1 Fuel Levy as Crude Prices Top $100
Opposition lawmakers in Ghana have called for the immediate removal of the GH₵1 per litre fuel levy, citing global crude oil prices that have surged past $100 a barrel. The government, while acknowledging the price pressure, argues the levy remains...
Logistics Provider Orders 75 eActros 600: High Fuel Prices Drive Transformation – Mercedes-Benz Receives Major Electric Truck Order From the...
Simon Loos, a Dutch logistics provider, ordered 75 additional Mercedes‑Benz eActros 600 trucks, raising its electric fleet to 210 units – the largest in the Netherlands and among Europe’s pioneers. The decision is driven by sustained high diesel prices and the...
Terna Approves 3 GWh Storage Project: Italy Is Building Ever Larger Energy Storage Systems - Green Light for Airengy Mega-Project
Israeli developer Airengy Ltd. secured Terna’s approval to connect a 3 GWh lithium‑ion battery facility in Brindisi, Italy. The plant will deliver over 500 MW of power, supporting grid stability and renewable integration. The €230 million project, built in partnership with the Yehuda‑Levi...

Autumn 1914, Pushing Hard Towards Winter
Iranian forces launched a missile that struck Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG complex, the world’s largest liquefied natural gas plant, causing extensive damage and prompting fears of a prolonged supply shock. The attack follows Israel’s strike on Iran’s South Pars field, escalating a...

US Gas Prices Jump 37%, Reach 2022 High
Average US gasoline prices have surged 37% since the January lows, rising to the highest since 2022. The absolute price level, $3.88, is still within the range of normal from a historical perspective. But it's rising at an rapid clip,...
Oil Price Surge Threatens Poor as Egypt Cuts Power
Brent crude, global oil benchmark, rose by 8% to $116 a barrel. This will hurt everyone, especially the poor badly. Egypt has already restricted electricity use.... https://t.co/WIVr01CV5C
Eon Installs One Million Smart Meters - Germany Lags Far Behind in Rollout Across Europe
Eon announced the installation of its one‑millionth smart meter, bringing its fleet to roughly 30 percent of Germany’s statutory minimum. Nationwide, only about 3.8 percent of metering points are digital, far below the EU‑27 average of 63 percent in 2024 and the 80 percent...

Treasury Secretary Hints at Unsanctioning Iranian Oil, Second SPR Release
What US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told @FoxBusiness about unsanctioning Iranian barrels -- and a potential 2nd SPR release. (I look forward to see how KSA, UAE, Iraq, Qatar, and Kuwait feel about unsanctioning Iranian oil barrels) https://t.co/buyI81abII

Oil Spike Is Tax, Not Rally, Hits Consumers
Brent near $110. WTI at $96-103. Strait of Hormuz blocked. $XLE at all-time highs. $SPY at 2026 lows. This is not an oil rally. This is a tax on every consumer, every margin, every growth assumption. https://t.co/QUhNdfGuZ7
Pine Valley Capital Advises on Transaction: Green NRG Sells 4 MW PV and 8 MW Battery Storage Project - Co-Location...
Green NRG GmbH sold a 4 MW photovoltaic and 8 MW battery energy storage co‑location project to an investor, with transaction structuring and advice provided by Pine Valley Capital. Financial terms were not disclosed. The parties will advance the asset to ready‑to‑build...
Grant Licenses to Producers if Export Ban Looms
If an oil export ban is coming, they should grant export licenses to anyone increasing production
US Waivers De‑Stigmatize Russian Oil, Boosting Putin
Big thanks to @Aaron_Krolik for including me in this great @nytimes story on how Russia is a major beneficiary from the sharp rise in oil prices. Temporary US waivers of Russia sanctions are de-stigmatizing Russian oil and giving Putin a...
Japanese Firm GBP Launches Fencing for Solar and BESS Sites
Japanese clean‑energy firm GBP K.K. has introduced customizable perimeter fencing for grid‑scale solar farms and battery energy storage systems. The fences use modular high‑carbon steel mesh with optional barbed or blade wire, mounted on galvanized, polyester‑coated steel posts to withstand...
Prolonged Disruptions Will Scar Oil Output, Keep Prices High
This is not good news for an already strained global energy market. The longer this goes on the more long-term damage will be done to oil production that will take markets longer to recover from. Oil prices will not “drop...
Brent Crude Spikes Past $118, Then Eases
“The price of Brent crude surpassed $118 a barrel on Thursday, an increase of nearly 10 percent, but has since pared some of those gains.” https://t.co/Z9YDmbtUW3

The Great Lakes Are Ideal for Wind Energy. So Where Is It?
The Great Lakes possess enough offshore wind capacity to generate over three times the region’s combined annual electricity consumption, yet no turbines are operating there. While states control lakebeds, projects are hampered by fragmented permitting, high costs, and a lack...

RBOB Futures Signal $4.10 AAA Gas Price Soon
$3.19 RBOB gasoline futures imply $4.10 AAA average gas price in a couple weeks https://t.co/7IwQpsyBoY

China-France Dialogue Highlights Need for Oil Market Cooperation
Pleased to meet with Ambassador of China to France Deng Li at the @IEA headquarters in Paris today We discussed the importance of international cooperation to stabilise global oil markets for the benefit of all countries https://t.co/ykUkaiugbV
Thermochromic Bifacial PV Glazing System for Reducing Building Cooling Loads
Researchers at City University of Hong Kong have created a thermochromic bifacial photovoltaic (TC‑BiPV) glazing system that combines a hydrogel‑based thermochromic layer with bifacial solar cells. The hydrogel switches from transparent to translucent as temperature rises, reflecting light toward the...

Spain's Renewables Shield Power Prices From Gas Shocks
Spain's renewables build-out has structurally decoupled its electricity prices from gas markets. Gas now sets the price in only 15% of hours, compared to 90% in Italy. Countries that invested early in clean power are far less exposed to...
Middle East LNG Disruption
Disruption of LNG supplies from Middle East showing what an excellent idea it has been from our wonderful political class to run down the North Sea.
Airlines Face Jet Fuel Shortage, Cancellations Loom
Airlines have been warned that they will face jet fuel shortages as soon as next month, risking flight cancellations

Brent Surges, Outpacing WTI; Gold, Silver Plummet
Brent soars 6%... now $16-$17 above WTI... Gasoline futures jump another 8.5 cents... Gold and silver destroyed https://t.co/qLglGU9Cbr

Brent Surge Won’t Reach $150‑$200 Amid Capacity Limits
Brent is up 70% in the past month. This prices Strait of Hormuz tanker traffic at half its capacity indefinitely. With the Saudis diverting lots of oil to the Red Sea and Iran continuing to export, we're already almost at...
Weekly LNG Plant Shutdown Costs Sydney’s Power for a Year
Size and scope: Each week the world’s largest liquefied natural gas plant remains shut, the world loses the equivalent of enough energy to power Sydney’s homes for an entire year. https://t.co/ng7ClUwXEF
Trump Pushes Marines to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
Rupert's newsroom--not editorial board--is all hawkish: "Trump is pressing aides and allies to find ways to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as gas prices rise. His best bet might be the U.S. Marine Corps." What U.S. Marines Can Do to Help...

Renewables and Heat Pumps Could Slash UK Gas Costs
😬UK gas prices just hit highest level since 2022😬 At current prices… * New wind & solar from latest "AR7" auction would cut the bill for UK gas imports by £5.5bn/y * A single (1) home heat pump would cut bill for gas...
Russia to Sell Energy at Market Prices, Ignoring Sanctions
NEW DELHI, March 19 (Reuters) - Russia will continue to supply energy at market prices without any consideration for Western sanctions and will offer mutually acceptable payment practices, Russian Deputy Energy Minister Pavel Sorokin told Reuters on Thursday.
China Pledges SE Asian Energy Cooperation While Halting Fuel Exports
China telling Southeast Asia it's ready to work together on energy security is a little... strange... given they're also banning all fuel exports (something Beijing has yet to publicly acknowledge) https://t.co/tm36jPLTKT
European Gas Buyers Must Panic Immediately Amid Price Shock
European gas buyers need to panic ... now. Brutal for the more price elastic EM buyers here.

European Gas Prices Double in Four Weeks, Exposing Fossil Dependence
European natural gas prices keep on rising and have now more than doubled )+134%) in just four weeks from €29/MWh on 17 February to €67/MWh today. Geopolitical tensions and wars always drive up gas prices. Not a bug in the system....
Aerial Attack Hits Saudi Aramco Yanbu Refinery, Minimal Damage
March 19 (Reuters) - Oil giant Saudi Aramco's SAMREF refinery in the Red Sea port of Yanbu was targeted in an aerial attack on Thursday, an industry source said, adding there was minimal impact