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:
As Urea Imports Are Poised to Hit Record High, Indian Parliamentary Panel Moots Adopting Green Ammonia for Fertilisers
A parliamentary standing committee urged India to draft a comprehensive roadmap for phased adoption of green ammonia in urea, DAP and NPK production. The call comes as urea imports are set to hit a record 17 lt by May 2026, surpassing the previous high of 98.28 lt in 2020‑21. The panel also recommended creating a Fertiliser Supply Security Fund and shifting the Nutrient Based Subsidy to an automatic price‑linked mechanism to safeguard supply. It highlighted the ₹19,744 crore National Green Hydrogen Mission and upcoming capacity additions of 59.65 lt finished fertilizer and 44.21 lt intermediates slated for 2028‑2030.
Sigenergy Unveils 166 kW Inverter for C&I Solar
Chinese solar equipment maker Sigenergy has introduced a 166 kW IP66‑rated inverter aimed at commercial and industrial (C&I) solar projects. The unit features nine MPPT trackers, a peak efficiency of 98.7%, and flexible three‑phase AC outputs up to 480 V, while tolerating...
The Impact of U.S.-Venezuela Relations on Ocean Shipping
U.S. sanctions on Venezuela's oil sector are intensifying, combining aggressive enforcement such as tanker seizures with narrowly‑tailored licenses for limited oil and diluent exports. The heightened scrutiny is affecting ocean transportation, with regulators, insurers, and lenders examining vessel movements, charter...
Trump Says US Will Hit Iran ‘Very Hard’ for Another Week
President Donald Trump announced that the United States will intensify attacks on Iran for the next week, following a partial 30‑day waiver for Russian oil purchases aimed at easing soaring fuel prices. The statement came as Brent crude hovered around...
IOUs Work to Interconnect 39 GW of Data Center, Manufacturing Load: EEI
Investor‑owned utilities are coordinating to interconnect roughly 39 GW of data‑center and manufacturing loads, representing more than 80 large‑load projects across the United States. The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) highlighted that 20 states have already approved at least one large‑load tariff,...
Russia’s Nuclear Exports a Flourishing Geopolitical Asset, After Four Years of Ukraine War
Four years after the Ukraine invasion, Russia’s state nuclear firm Rosatom has turned civil nuclear exports into a robust geopolitical tool. The company now leads global reactor sales, offering VVER‑1200 and VVER‑1000 plants financed up to 90% by Russian state...
Mexico Imports Near 7 Bcf/D as Middle East War Adds Upside Risk to Natural Gas Prices
Mexico’s natural gas imports have surged to nearly 7 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d), approaching a new record as U.S. pipeline exports climb from roughly 5 Bcf/d in early 2023 to peaks above 8 Bcf/d in 2025‑26. Prices at the Agua Dulce hub...
Middle East Shipping Disruptions Boost US Position as Top LNG Exporter
Historic shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have halted roughly 20% of global LNG flow, prompting buyers to seek alternatives. The United States, already the world’s largest LNG exporter, is set to nearly double its export capacity by 2031,...
China Passes Law Accelerating Environmental Ambitions, Defying Expectations
Meanwhile, shockingly, the other major global power is doing the very opposite within its own borders... https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-13/china-s-new-law-signals-xi-won-t-curb-environmental-ambitions
US War Prep Undermines Oil, Helium, and Alliances
Okay good, let's say the WH planned for Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz following the attack. 1. The U.S. sold off its helium reserve before waging a war that they knew would disrupt helium exports to allies, which make...
What Is Dictating Solar Module Price Increases?
Solar module price growth is now driven primarily by five cost pillars: silver paste, polysilicon, glass, aluminium, and energy‑water inputs. Silver paste remains the largest single expense, with record‑high silver prices in early 2026 inflating cell costs. Polysilicon, accounting for...
African Nations Trade Oil in Rands, US Mockingly Reacts
Nigeria and South Africa strike a deal to sell oil in Rands. United States responds; “Nigeria needs freedom” - Satire -
Helium Shortage Looms as Qatar Supply Disrupted
Everyone is talking about the impact of closing the Strait of Hormuz on oil and gas. I haven't seen much discussion of the war's impact on helium. Most people think of helium as being a fun gas you use for...
After the Petrodollar
In 1974 Henry Kissinger secured an informal pact that required Saudi Arabia to price oil exclusively in U.S. dollars, creating the petrodollar system that channeled massive dollar surpluses into Treasury securities. The arrangement underpinned America’s ability to run large fiscal deficits...
Fed Cuts Would Spike Yields Amid Oil‑driven Demand Destruction
If the Fed cut rates, bond yields would soar. Crude oil prices are surging due to supply constraints. The market needs demand destruction to restore balance. In plain English, there is not enough crude oil to go around because of the...
Goldman’s Shifting Forecasts Reveal War to Reopen Hormuz
Looking at Goldman Sachs Research gives a good timeline for thinking about the Strait of Hormuz * March 4, Hormuz flows would recover in 5 days. * March 9, they pushed that to 10 days * March 11, they extended it again...
Daily Memo: US Eases Russian Oil Sanctions
The United States announced a 30‑day suspension of sanctions on Russian crude that is currently at sea, aiming to cushion the economic repercussions of the war in Iran. The temporary relief covers roughly 100 million barrels of Russian oil in transit,...
Electrification Remains Overlooked Climate Solution, Reporter Frustrated
As a climate and energy reporter, I have to admit continued frustration in trying to convince people that electrification is a climate solution, regardless of what is used to generate the power. Sigh...
South Africa Sources 69% of Oil Imports From Africa
South Africa’s Crude oil imports Here are the historical amounts of crude oil South Africa imports in for each respective month. Total = 9.5 billion liters (2024) Nigeria accounted for 48% Angola accounted for 15% Ghana accounted for 6% 69%...
WindEurope: Clean Power Is the only Future-Proof Play
WindEurope urges Europe to accelerate domestic renewable electricity after the Strait of Hormuz closure exposed the continent’s reliance on volatile fossil‑fuel imports. The group calls for lower electricity taxes, reallocation of emissions‑trading‑system revenues to industrial electrification, and an expanded EU...
Oil Gains $30/Barrel as Hormuz Closure Persists
Happy Friday, oil watchers. We're now two weeks into the Iran War and crude prices are up ~$30/bbl. That's roughly a $3/bbl gain per day that the Strait of Hormuz has remained closed, a pace that I expect to continue so long...
Iran Conflict Revives Debate on Booming U.S. Oil Exports
Iran war reignites debate over U.S. oil exports, which have surged after Congress + Obama lifted a ban in 2015. https://t.co/xCz2d8WdQ1 via @axios https://t.co/kHinCgc4Z7
SunPower Integrates TPO Solar Company Sunder Energy After Acquisition
SunPower announced the completion of its integration of Sunder Energy, a residential solar contractor it bought in September. The deal was valued at $40 million plus 10 million shares of SunPower stock. Sunder, operating in 21 states and Washington, D.C., specializes in...
Oil Prices Set to Remain High Through Midterms
Oil prices aren't expected to fall anytime soon. Futures markets suggest oil prices are very likely to be high high during the midterms. https://t.co/5A4nd2c298
Saudi Bypass of Hormuz Spurs Red Sea Supertanker Surge
Supertankers Build Up in Red Sea as Saudi Arabia Races to Bypass Hormuz. The plan and how much the infrastructure can handle. https://t.co/0tUBLK1icp
ChargePoint Offers Charging Solutions for Ford Pro Customers
Ford Pro and ChargePoint have launched a joint venture in Germany and the UK to provide tailored electric‑vehicle charging solutions for commercial fleets. The offering covers home, depot and workplace installations, leveraging ChargePoint’s expertise in site planning, installation and management. It...
Dubai Physical Crude Trades $40 Above Brent Futures
Crude futures aren't telling the full story. See Dubai physical swaps (white, balance of the month) vs Brent prompt futures (blue) below. Normally they're pretty close, but right now there's a MAD bid for physical crude in the region—$100/bbl futs, $140/bbl physical...
Iran's Move Could Crash Oil Prices, Lose Leverage
If Iran does this, crude oil prices fall back to bear pre-war levels, and they lose the only leverage they have.
Bahrain Reveals Qualified Bidders for 100 MW BAJ Solar IPP Project
Bahrain’s Electricity and Water Authority has shortlisted Saudi‑based ACWA Power and UAE‑based Yellow Door Energy to develop a 100 MW solar plant in Bilaj Al Jazayer under a build‑own‑operate public‑private partnership. The project targets commercial operation by 30 September 2027 and forms part...
Energy Surge Splits Market as SPY Hits 2026 Lows
Energy stocks at all-time highs. $SPY at 2026 lows. Chevron, Marathon, Valero ripping. Everything else bleeding. This is not a market. It's two separate markets wearing one coat. https://t.co/yJjS0g4dAU
Tehran’s Real Leverage: Shutting Hormuz, Not Drone Control
Everyone wants a Hormuz EZ-Pass but Tehran's primary leverage is keeping the Strait closed to *all* traffic. It's the total supply flow lost—not the destinations— that ultimately matters. And no guarantee that person with whom you're negotiating is controlling the drones. https://t.co/xNoSi9YCh5
FEED Contract Marks Step Forward in Mediterranean’s First CO2 Storage Project
Kent has secured a front‑end engineering design (FEED) contract with EnEarth to develop Greece’s first dedicated CO₂ storage facility at the Prinos offshore field. The project will initially inject 1 MtCO₂ per year, scaling to 2.8 MtCO₂ annually by 2029, and includes...
Small‑Cap Investors Mimic Dunkirk, Smuggling Oil Through Hormuz
The Little Ships of Dunkirk except its small cap investors smuggling oil through the Strait of Hormuz https://t.co/grhS8iKYsL
China’s Electrostate Shift Cushions Impact of Rising Oil Prices
China may benefit from higher oil prices triggered by Iran war China’s evolution into an “electrostate” may help insulate it from spiking oil prices. https://t.co/oCfxauQUQP
‘Clear Warning Signs’ as PJM Wholesale Power Costs Jump 54% in One Year
PJM Interconnection’s wholesale power costs surged 54% in 2025, reaching $67 billion. Capacity expenses exploded 262%, now 16% of total costs, exposing a 6,500 MW shortfall for the 2027/2028 auction. The spike is driven by rapid data‑center load growth, prompting the independent...
Trump Downplays Kharg Island, Signaling No Oil Supply Squeeze
TRUMP: KHARG ISLAND IS 'ONE OF MANY DIFFERENT THINGS' TRUMP: KHARG ISLAND 'NOT HIGH ON THE LIST' At this stage it's pretty obvious that Trump has no interest in further constricting global oil supplies. Even Iranian export flows are a...
Japan Boosts Solar Capacity by 5.8 GW in 2025
Japan adds 5.8 GW of solar in 2025 #energysky -- via pv magazine global: https://t.co/E8kobL8J1P
‘Largest and Heaviest’ Part of $5.1B LNG Development Reaches Canadian Shores (Gallery)
Woodfibre LNG received its largest liquefaction module, weighing over 10,800 metric tonnes, at the Squamish‑area project site. The module, the 15th of 19, will cool natural gas to –162 °C using Siemens electric‑drive technology powered by British Columbia’s renewable grid. The...
Strait Closure Likely if Conflict with Iran Escalates
Closure of the strait is one of the most obvious possible consequences of conflict with Iran...
Data Center Growth Forces Everyone to Pay New Transmission
We know who pays for new transmission. We all do. In PJM, data center growth creates reliability problems that PJM solves with new transmission. Using methods written by the utilities, PJM bills all utilities for new lines, who then bill us.
$7 Million in Solar Inventory at Auction After Purelight Power Bankruptcy
Purelight Power’s Chapter 11 filing has triggered a $7 million auction of solar inventory and related assets. CA Global Partners, alongside Onyx Asset Advisors, will host seven online auctions from March 25 to April 22, covering equipment in Oregon, Washington, Iowa, Kentucky and Montana....
Brent's Third-Month Futures Outperform Front-Month, Signaling Supply Risks
This is the week that oil markets started to wake up to not-so-short-term supply risks. Unprecedented outperformance of Brent third-month vs front-month in an up market (since at least 1989) https://t.co/moJqCod6kL https://t.co/0wKCN8bKco
US Eases Russian Oil Bans, Boosting Putin’s War Funds
US Treasury Allows More Russian Oil Sales to Help Tame Prices. And Putin is laughing as he heads to the bank and thumbs his nose at sanctions. And has needed revenue for his Ukraine war. https://t.co/zWRhldvD7W
Brazil Imposes 12% Tax on Crude Exports Amid US-Iran War
Brazil announced a provisional measure that eliminates federal PIS and Cofins taxes on diesel for domestic consumption while imposing a 12% export tax on crude oil and a 50% levy on diesel shipments. The move, driven by soaring crude prices...
PJM Lacks Authority Over Line Ratings, Utilities Hold Power
PJM has no authority over transmission line ratings. This is a governance and regulatory failure. PJM is now technically able to use more accurate inputs in its transmission system models, but it might not actually be doing so. It's up to...
Japan’s Oil Move Exposes Vulnerability, Boosts China’s Leverage
Japan taps oil reserves as Iran war spreads. Could it give China leverage? With Tokyo and Beijing still at loggerheads over Taiwan, analysts warn Japan’s decision exposes its economic vulnerability Yet another "Iran war gives Beijing leverage' piece, short answer....no... https://t.co/nx95uxzmnh
Global Offshore Capacity Nears 100GW Milestone
RenewableUK reports global offshore wind capacity will hit 100 GW in 2026, up from 89.2 GW in 2025. The sector added 8.8 GW in 2025, marking the fourth‑largest installation year on record. Forecasts show 18.8 GW could be commissioned in 2026 and total capacity...
Brazil's 439 MW Bom Jardim Solar Plant Enters Testing
Brazil’s 439 MW Bom Jardim solar site begins testing phase #energysky -- via pv magazine global: https://t.co/hH761UmFpi
Crude, VIX, Bitcoin Surge After US‑Israel Iran Attack
big picture % change since U.S. & Israel attacked Iran... crude + $VIX & Bitcoin up the most... https://t.co/lK9FCWy5TY
Analysts Predict Future Hikes Already Passed
A hallmark about most fancy analysts, including many I respect, is that they don't appear to be filling up at the gas station. Most of them talk about future price hikes in the coming days, not realizing that they have...