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:
Thai Refiner Makes Rare Purchase of North Sea Crude
Thai refiners have secured a rare cargo of North Sea Forties crude, purchasing roughly 700,000 barrels from Trafigura for a late‑March shipment. This marks the first Thai acquisition of North Sea oil since Bloomberg began tracking in 2019, highlighting a shift prompted by the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz. With Middle Eastern supplies constrained, Asian processors are turning to alternative sources, though soaring freight rates have forced the cargo onto an Aframax vessel rather than a supertanker. The move underscores the broader re‑routing of crude flows amid geopolitical tension.
Iran Shifts Oil Payments to Yuan, Undermining Dollar Dominance
Iran has stated it will allow tankers through the Strait of Hormuz - but only for shipments paid for in Chinese yuan rather than US dollars. The dollar is THE standard currency of the fossil fuel trade. Iran didn’t just announce...
GE Vernova, Hitachi to Explore South-East Asia for Small Reactors
GE Vernova and Hitachi signed a memorandum to explore deploying their BWRX‑300 small modular reactor across Southeast Asian markets. The joint venture will assess partnerships with Japanese suppliers and target nations seeking clean, reliable power for growing AI and data‑center...
Free Daytime Power: What the New Offer Means for Australian Households
The Australian Energy Regulator is introducing the Solar Sharer Offer, a free‑power scheme that provides three daytime hours of electricity at no cost to eligible households in Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia starting 1 July. The free window aligns...
BP Cleared for First New Gulf of Mexico Field Project Since 2010 Blowout
BP Plc received approval from the Trump administration to develop the Kaskida deep‑water project, marking the first virgin Gulf of Mexico field since the 2010 Deepwater Horizon blowout. The development targets an initial output of roughly 275 million barrels, with the...
FEATURE: Japan Opens "Sky Paths" For Drones to Inspect Power Lines
Japan is establishing government‑approved "sky paths" for drones to patrol and inspect power‑line networks, targeting a 40,000 km corridor by fiscal 2035. Early routes already cut inspection time from over eight hours with two workers to about three hours with a...
Fuel Security, Critical Minerals on Agenda for Resources Minister’s Japan Visit
Australian Resources Minister Madeleine King is traveling to Japan for the Indo‑Pacific Energy Security Ministerial, co‑hosted by Japan and the United States. The agenda centers on fuel security for remote mining operations and strengthening critical‑minerals supply chains. King will meet...
Solar Panels and EVs: A Smart Investment or Just Panic Buying?
Rising fuel prices in the Philippines have sparked a surge in consumer interest for electric vehicles and rooftop solar installations. Experts caution that the rush is driven more by panic than sound financial analysis, emphasizing that true value lies in...
The UK North Sea at a Tipping Point: Why the UK Government Must Act Now
The UK North Sea faces a critical juncture as high taxes, a ban on new licences and geopolitical volatility are eroding investment and jobs. An effective tax burden of about 75 % under the Energy Profits Levy has driven rigs and...
The Global Offshore Wind Industry Floats Away From The US (For Now)
President Donald Trump’s administration has effectively frozen new offshore wind leases in the United States, slowing domestic development while five Atlantic projects remain on schedule. The Pacific Coast, where water depths preclude traditional monopiles, is turning to floating turbine technology,...
US Shifts SPR Strategy From Sale to Loan Exchange
The US gov seems to have changed its mind about the terms of the use of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve: Earlier this week, it announced a **SPR release** (an outright sale, and the method used in the emergency actions of...
New Guidelines for Evaluating Multi-Terminal Tandem Solar Cells
Guidelines to assess three-terminal, four-terminal tandem solar cell performance #energysky -- via pv magazine global: https://t.co/qsJNLWPREf https://t.co/IRgBPkTteX
Pennsylvania Publishes Long-Awaited Study on Radioactivity in Landfill Runoff
Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection released a two‑year study of 49 landfills, including 23 that received oil‑and‑gas waste, and concluded that current landfill leachate poses no immediate radiation risk to human health. The analysis found 11 sites exceeded EPA radium‑226/228...
India Poised to Lead Amid New Global Oil Crisis
The global map is being redrawn, and India is right at the center of the new oil crisis. With our non-aligned status, we are in a rare position to take the lead. Dive into the full analysis of what happens...
US LNG Demand Soars, Venture Global Expands Plant
MORE US LNG EXPORTS 🇺🇸 🚢 Venture Global will move forward with an $8.6 billion expansion of its third LNG plant in Louisiana Global demand for US LNG is surging as the war in the Middle East cuts off shipments from...
California Gas Prices Are on the Rise. Who’s to Blame?
Gasoline prices in California surged to $4.72 per gallon, the highest level since 2025, prompting a partisan blame game. Governor Gavin Newsom attributes the rise to state climate policies and refinery constraints, while President Donald Trump points to the ongoing...
Dinawan Solar Farm Joins 14 Projects in State Investment Round
Australia’s Dinawan solar farm among 14 projects in state investment round #energysky -- via pv magazine global: https://t.co/xbrjeqgLOx
SPR Shift to Oil Loans Slows Response Amid Shock
The SPR plan just got more complicated. Instead of selling oil fast, the government may “loan” it through an exchange, writes @JavierBlas This avoid charges of draining the reserve, writes @Rory_Johnston Politically safer, but slower — not ideal in the...
Energy Group Says Using Local Gas Could Cut Power Costs by Half
The Petroleum Association of the Philippines (PAP) is urging power generators to prioritize domestic natural gas, arguing it could cut electricity prices roughly in half compared with imported LNG. PAP cites the under‑utilized Malampaya gas fields and the VAT exemption...
Utility Delays Restoration; Hours Pass, No Power
Several hours into the power outages here and according to my utility’s website they haven’t even begun the restoration process yet. Zero homes restored in 8 hours. Thousands without power. This is going to be a long outage.
Oil’s Gold Ratio Stagnates, Signaling Higher Resource Prices
Despite the recent rally, oil priced in gold has barely budged. That puts into perspective how undervalued oil may still be. And no, this is not negative for gold. If anything, it reinforces the idea that we are entering an era of structurally...
This Little-Known Energy Company’s Stock Is Rallying as Trump Invokes 1950 Powers for Offshore California Drilling
President Donald Trump signed an executive order invoking the 1950 Defense Production Act to permit Sable Offshore to resume offshore oil and gas production off Southern California. The move lifted a regulatory freeze on the $2.5 billion company, which operates three...
Trump Claims Kharg Island Military Targets Destroyed, Oil Untouched
Trump says military targets on Kharg island obliterated. Oil infrastructure not touched - for now. https://t.co/96z56gVY1g
Strait of Hormuz Blockade Endangers Fertilizers, Aluminium, Plastics, Helium
It's not just oil and gas. What other crucial commodities are under threat from the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz? Fertilisers, aluminium, plastics, helium and more. https://t.co/H1tRNgqzv6
U.S. Officials Have Discussed Trading Oil Futures, Burgum Says
U.S. officials, including Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, confirmed that the Trump administration has discussed using oil futures contracts to temper soaring crude prices amid the escalating Iran‑Israel conflict. While the idea was explored, Burgum said no concrete market intervention has...
Carlyle’s Currie Warns Against Oil and Gas Hoarding
Jeff Currie, chief strategy officer at Carlyle Energy Pathways, told Bloomberg Surveillance that the ongoing Iran war is already disrupting the global oil and gas supply chain. He warned that the damage could take months to unwind and cautioned market...
The Environmental Cost of Datacentres Is Rising. Is It Time to Quit AI?
Datacentre electricity demand is rising four times faster than any other sector, with Australian demand expected to triple by 2030, outpacing even electric‑vehicle power use. Studies estimate AI’s global carbon footprint could reach up to 80 million tonnes of CO₂ in...
Brent Tops $103 as Traders Shun Risk Before Weekend
Brent crude futures climbed above $103 a barrel on Friday, extending their run into triple‑digit levels. The rally was driven by traders’ concerns over a potential prolonged disruption of Gulf oil supplies amid the ongoing regional conflict. Simultaneously, several governments...
US Oil Prices Spike Above $99, Market Control Falters
US oil prices surge above $99/barrel, now up nearly +10% on the week. Once again, the US appears to be losing control of the oil market.
U.S. Vows to Block Iran’s Attempt to Shut Down Strait of Hormuz
The United States announced it will actively prevent Iran from closing the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil shipments. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth downplayed the disruption but affirmed U.S. readiness, while the Trump administration lifted select sanctions...
European Power Prices Held Hostage to High Gas Costs
European power markets are experiencing a sharp price surge as gas costs climb sharply following the outbreak of war in the Middle East. Major gas hubs across Europe have seen prices more than double, pushing gas‑fired electricity tariffs to roughly...
US Venture Global Takes FID on CP2 Phase 2 LNG Project
Venture Global announced a final investment decision for its CP2 Phase 2 LNG export project, a 29 million‑ton‑per‑year facility on the Louisiana Gulf Coast. The approval makes it the first U.S. liquefaction project to receive an FID in 2026, marking a significant...
Oil Price Hinges on Strait Progress, $90 or $110
Regarding crude at $90 or $110 Monday. ... Joint Chiefs Dan Caine said we are going to hit 6K targets today. I assume the same on Saturday and Sunday. So, Monday morning, I assume Caine says we hit 18K targets. If we see...
Will US LNG Exporters Defer Maintenance to Free Up Supply?
U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporters are considering postponing scheduled maintenance to increase available cargoes amid a tightening global gas market caused by the Middle East conflict. Current export terminals are operating near peak capacity, leaving little slack for unexpected...
Canadian, Alaskan LNG Could Benefit From 'Concentration Risk'
A recent blockade of the Strait of Hormuz highlighted the vulnerability of LNG buyers reliant on Middle‑East cargoes, prompting a reassessment of supply diversification. Analysts argue that this "concentration risk" creates a strategic opening for existing and planned LNG export...
How a Texas Oil Belt Became America's Next Lithium Frontier
2026 marks a turning point as Texas’s historic oil belt pivots toward lithium extraction. The Smackover Formation in Northeast Texas is being touted for its high‑purity lithium brine, prompting energy giants like ExxonMobil and Chevron to stake claims and plan...
NDP's Energy Apathy Undermines Alberta's Future, Says Fawcett
Max Fawcett on the Alberta NDP's Refusal to Take Energy Seriously UCP-lite isn't going to cut it. Max discusses @nenshi's leadership. abndpcaucus #ableg #abpoli https://youtu.be/khTLqGyYpzQ
Canada Produces 6 Million Barrels, Consumes 2.4 Million Daily
Shocking ignorance of the most basic concept by Poilievre here. Canada produces ~6 million barrels a day and consumes ~2.4 million of them. 1/2
Advanced MES Capabilities for Scalable, High-Quality Solar Cell and Module Manufacturing
Kontron AIS unveiled new FabEagleMES capabilities aimed at high‑volume photovoltaic cell and module production. The suite adds configurable material‑flow routing, real‑time defect analytics, long‑term data‑lake storage, an enhanced web client with role‑based dashboards, and a REST API for seamless machine...
Gulf Oil Industry Faces Crisis After Unthinkable Event
Great explainer about just how screwed Gulf oil is now that the unthinkable has happened... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6QlFpPMPKQ
Sky-High Oil Prices Are About to Hit Puerto Rico’s Grid
The ongoing Iran‑Israel conflict has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, pushing global crude to around $100 a barrel. Puerto Rico, which generates roughly 60 % of its electricity from aging oil‑fired plants, will see its regulated power rates rise when...
How Iran Blocking the Strait of Hormuz Affects the U.S.
Iran’s recent closure of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted one of the world’s most critical oil chokepoints, prompting a sharp rise in global crude prices. While the United States sources only a modest fraction of its oil from the...
Seized Trump Oil Tankers Drain U.S. Treasury, Sale Blocked
Um... "The seizures have put the U.S. government in a financial bind. The ships are highly expensive to maintain. And the Trump administration cannot legally sell their oil without a judge’s permission." https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/13/us/politics/trump-seized-oil-tankers-cost.html
White House Admits Plan: Bomb Kharg Island Amid Hormuz Closure
OK, I suppose we should admit the White House was right, and, all along, they did have a plan to deal with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Bomb Kharg Island.
Markets Stay Optimistic Despite Unprecedented Oil Volume Shock
New at THE OVERSHOOT: Markets Are Still Sanguine About the Oil Outlook https://t.co/QsizGVkoI5 Prior oil shocks in 1973 and 1979 involved far larger price increases than what we have seen so far. Yet this shock involves a hit to volumes that is unprecedented...
Real Oil Tanker Explosions Make Hollywood Stunts Look Fake
I always thought Hollywood explosions were super fake over the top exaggerations until this week when I saw actual oil tankers getting blown up. https://t.co/db4pOheLSX
Oil Prices Dictate Yields and SPX Until $
Oil = 10yr = -SPX 1 variable market continued for another week and will likely persist until oil drops back below ~$70 when the Strait is back in business. https://t.co/349BroE6sP
Hegseth Downplays Strait of Hormuz Tensions
Secretary Hegseth on the Strait of Hormuz: DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT | March 13, 2026 Update Video: https://t.co/P2LCJM2Jqm https://t.co/u911Em6TwP
DOE Allocates $500M for Mineral Processing, Recycling, Batteries
US Energy Dept aims to fund $500 million in minerals processing & recycling, along with battery parts
Concern Grows Over Strategic Strait of Hormuz Tensions
I am sorry @SecWar, but there are some of us are worried about the Strait of Hormuz.