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:
Refiners Stick to Maintenance Despite Crack Surge
European refiners are maintaining their spring turnaround schedules despite a sharp surge in crack spreads triggered by the US‑Iran war’s disruption of Strait of Hormuz flows. Jet crack spreads peaked at $109.19 per barrel and diesel cracks at $63.92 per barrel, the highest levels in over three decades. Industry participants cite pre‑paid service contracts, regulatory inspection timelines, and the high cost of rescheduling as barriers to altering maintenance plans. Unlike the rapid turnarounds during the Russia‑Ukraine conflict, current economics favour sticking to the original schedule.
ORNL and Kairos Power Partner to Advance Deployment of Next-Gen Nuclear Energy
Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Kairos Power have signed a $27 million partnership to fast‑track the development of Kairos’s fluoride‑salt‑cooled, high‑temperature reactor, known as Hermes. The collaboration gives ORNL access to its specialized facilities for fuel testing, component manufacturing, and remote‑maintenance...
Clean Cement Startup Sublime Cuts Jobs After Trump Pulled Funding
Sublime Systems, an MIT‑spun low‑carbon cement startup, announced layoffs affecting roughly two‑thirds of its 90‑person staff after the Trump administration rescinded an $87 million Department of Energy grant. The funding pull forced the company to pause construction of its Holyoke, Massachusetts,...
DCE Solar, Axial Bring New Single-Axis Tracker to US Market
DCE Solar has installed the first Tracker Twin single‑axis solar tracker in the United States, a product co‑engineered with Spain’s Axial Structural Solutions. The dual‑row system is manufactured domestically and aims to improve structural stability while reducing the number of...
US Says China Is Not Pricing Out American Battery Anode Makers ITC Votes Negative in Lithium Battery AD/CVD Investigation.
The U.S. International Trade Commission issued a final negative determination in its antidumping and countervailing duty investigation of active anode material (AAM) imports from China. The 2‑1 vote blocks the Department of Commerce from imposing tariffs on Chinese AAM, overturning...
Brent's $47 Swing Shows No Conviction, Just Exposure
Brent crude has traded in a $47 range since late February. $73 to $120 and back to $96. That's not a market. It's a seismograph. Nobody has conviction. Everyone has exposure.
New Insights Into Battery Failure
Engineers at NJIT and partners in the U.S. and Singapore have shown that lithium dendrites inside batteries are not soft but brittle, snapping like dry spaghetti. The team harvested dendrites from operating cells, measured their mechanical strength, and paired the...
Conn. Lawmakers Propose Easing Electric School Bus Deadlines
Connecticut lawmakers have introduced a bill that eases the state’s zero‑emission school‑bus deadlines, moving the 100% target to 90% by July 1 2040 and keeping an all‑alternative‑fuel requirement for July 1 2035. Distressed municipalities would need only 50% zero‑emission buses by 2035, reaching full...
Use This Simple Calculation to Understand Solar Generator Capacity and Runtime Before You Buy
The article explains how solar generator capacity, expressed in watt‑hours, determines how long a unit can power devices. It introduces a simple formula—total watt‑hours divided by the device’s watt draw—to estimate runtime before purchase. Real‑world performance often falls short of...
Politicians Praise High Oil Prices, Consumers Feel the Pain
Trump: So when oil prices go up, we make a lot of money. Energy Secretary Chris Wright on high oil prices: So overall for the US economy, this isn't bad news. Average American at the Gas Pump: High prices suck.
Rio Tinto Produces Low-Carbon Aluminum Rod in Partnership with Prysmian
Rio Tinto and Prysmian have completed an industrial trial producing low‑carbon aluminum rod by blending hydro‑powered metal from the Alma smelter in Quebec with aluminum made using Rio Tinto’s ELYSIS technology, which eliminates direct CO₂ emissions. The trial is part...
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Gas Prices Continue Rising—See What Your State Is Paying Now
Gas prices rose another two cents on Thursday, pushing the national regular‑gas average to $3.60 per gallon – a 62‑cent increase since the end of February. The surge follows higher crude prices driven by the Iran conflict, ending a 13‑week...
Ridley: The Gas Price Shock Will Expose Britain’s Catastrophic Energy Misjudgment
The recent surge in global natural‑gas prices has laid bare Britain’s over‑reliance on imports, costing households roughly three times what Americans pay. The author argues that a decade‑old decision to ban on‑shore shale fracking has left the UK vulnerable, missing...
On-Site PPA for Industry: VSB Builds PV Rooftop System for Packaging Specialist Sealed Air
VSB Integrated Energy Solutions will install a 751 kWp photovoltaic rooftop system on Sealed Air’s Alsfeld packaging plant under a 20‑year on‑site power purchase agreement. Construction starts in spring 2026 with commissioning slated for the second half of the year. The...
Data Center Surge Could Spike Natural Gas Demand Beyond Forecasts, EIA Says
U.S. data centers, especially those supporting artificial intelligence workloads, are projected to drive a sharp rise in electricity consumption, pushing natural‑gas‑fired power generation beyond the Energy Information Administration’s current forecasts. The EIA’s latest analysis highlights that gas will continue to...
Export Ban Repeal Sacrificed Oil Resilience for Profit
The U.S. had a long history of regulating oil markets, in part to ensure spare capacity, @NeilAtkinson58. That approach was codified in the 1975 Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA). Repealing the export ban in 2015 marked the real break. Markets are great...
US‑Iran Conflict Raises Oil Prices, Not Yet a Shock
U.S./Iran war is not (yet) an oil shock Oil futures prices have increased by more than a third since Israel and the United States attacked Iran and almost two-thirds since the start of the year but the increase is not yet...
Market Derelict On Oil Inflation Risk, Albert Edwards Says
Albert Edwards warns that markets are overlooking the inflationary pressure from a new oil price spike, arguing that bond yields could rise if the risk is ignored. He notes that unlike the previous surge, stimulus cash has largely vanished, so...
Oil Prices Ignored Reserve Supply News, Already Priced In
Oil didn't buy the "supply of reserves" news. Why ? It was already priced in. What's next ? Well , it's a 🧵 1/1
Gas Prices Surge 20.6% in 11 Days, Historic Rise
The chart below shows the national average retail gasoline price from an AAA Motor Club survey. Yesterday was day 11 since the war started on February 28. The middle panel shows the 11-day dollar rise. The current 61-cent rise was exceeded...
Saturn Oil & Gas Inc. (SOIL:CA) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Saturn Oil & Gas Inc. posted a stronger fourth‑quarter 2025, with revenue climbing 12% year‑over‑year and net loss narrowing to C$8.3 million. The company added 5 million barrels of oil‑equivalent proved reserves, driven by successful drilling in its Western Canada assets. Capital...
U.S. Crude Exports Serve as West’s Strategic Reserve
America’s Strategic Oil Exports @WSJ Great and important read. I still believe the WSJ Editorial Board does some of the most balanced and informed analysis in the media. https://t.co/sxJ6f76VCl The International Energy Agency said Tuesday that its 32 member countries will...
Pennsylvania Faces Soft Fracking Ban—Public Must Speak Up
I don’t think Pennsylvanians understand how big of a deal this is for the health of our state. This would ultimately be a soft ban on fracking in the state. When comment periods open later this year, we have to...
One Year After Green Bank’s Demise, Court Mulls Future of Grant-Based Climate Policy
A coalition of major tech firms, including Google and Tesla, is rallying to expand U.S. power‑grid capacity as policymakers seek faster upgrades. The Department of Energy has opened a $1.9 billion funding opportunity aimed at urgently needed grid modernization projects. Parallel...
Building Resilient Grids with Hardware, Software, Marketplaces
calling all grid nerds exciting time to be working on hardware, software, and marketplaces that will make the grid more resilient
Brent Breaches $100, First Time in 3½ Years
Brent closes the day above $100 a barrel for the first time in three and a half years. Note: during the 2022 crisis, Brent settled above triple-digit level for 110 days. So far in 2026, just one day.
Tankers Burning and Insurers Walking Away: The Global Economic Fallout of Trump’s Iran War
The United States and Israel’s February 28 strikes on Iran triggered an immediate retreat by major maritime insurers, who canceled or sharply repriced war‑risk coverage for vessels transiting the Persian Gulf. Premiums surged by more than 1,000%, making tanker voyages...
Brent Crude Set to Climb $3+ Daily Amid Iran Tensions
Brent crude price, Iran-War-to-date My expectation is that this rough/steady slope will hope, grinding $3+/bbl higher each and every day this crisis persists, always with the possibility of big lurches higher should Iran successfully take out major regional oil infrastructure. https://t.co/nwGMcg7rja
Desert Oil Site: Annoying yet Crucial Against Drone Threats
Having a major oil installation in the middle of the Empty Quarter (yes, its called that for a reason) is annoying, especially if you want to go out to eat after a long day of work, but its helpful when...
MidDay Futures: Gas Futures Little Changed as Storage Draw Lands Light, Cold Weather Returns
U.S. natural gas futures were largely flat Thursday, with the front‑month contract up 1.3 cents to $3.222 per MMBtu. The Energy Information Administration reported a 38 Bcf draw from storage for the week ended March 6, near the low end of forecasts....
Keep US Oil Exports; Global Integration Essential
Cannot agree more. DO NOT end US oil exports. Our integration into the global oil market is essential. Protectionism would be a horrible idea right now.
Pipelines Now Seen as Catalyst for Increased Oil Output
In the last 15 years, we've gone from a pipeline discussion where pipelines don't matter because "the oil will get to market no matter what" (trying to squash Q's about induced ghg emissions, mostly) to "people will produce more oil...
Japan Establishes National Benchmarks for Agrivoltaics as Sites Expand
Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has introduced national benchmarks for agrivoltaics after 24% of projects reported reduced crop yields in fiscal 2023. By the end of FY2023, 6,137 sites covering 1,361.6 hectares were approved, prompting tighter oversight. New...
Iran Conflict Sparks Acute Oil Market Volatility
🚨 Mid-week Iran War and oil market update for Commodity Context subscribers. More regular coverage of the acute volatility across the increasingly strained oil complex in Oil Context Weekly tomorrow. https://t.co/lvkkTTJr9s
Diesel Spikes 32%, Threatening Higher Consumer Prices
Gas prices are up 22% in the past month, but that's for regular unleaded. Diesel is up 32% -- and that's a pass-along price that can impact what we pay for lots of goods.
How to Electrify the Global South
India has nearly achieved universal household electrification, cutting the global electricity deficit by half, while Nigeria is poised to replicate this progress. Both countries are integrating centralized grids with distributed mini‑grids, leveraging AI‑driven digital twins and large‑scale rooftop solar schemes....
Today's Oil Prices Are Modest by Historical Standards
Over the past 25 years anual average REAL TERM Brent oil prices were > $100/b in six separate years and were >$150/b four of those (2008, 11, 12, 13). So by historical standards, today’s oil prices aren’t particularly high yet.
U.S. Navy Delayed, Tanker Escorts Unavailable for Weeks
U.S. Navy Won’t Be Ready To Escort Tankers Through Hormuz For Weeks Escorting oil tankers in the strait is an incredibly high-risk mission, and might not even be enough to ensure their safe passage. We are live updating: https://t.co/ofZdY79JtI
Stadler to Supply 7 More Battery Trains to ÖBB to Phase Out Diesel in Regional Austrian Rail
ÖBB has placed an order for seven additional FLIRT Akku battery‑electric trains from Stadler, slated for delivery in 2028. The units will replace diesel‑powered services on the Kamptalbahn and Erlauftalbahn lines in Lower Austria starting in 2029. Each train combines...
Aalo to Deploy Mass‑Produced, Safe Reactors This Year
in case you're unaware: matt started a company called aalo that's making nuclear reactors to provide unlimited energy. they turn on a reactor THIS YEAR. modern nuclear is almost here. they solve the problems of slow build times and safety....
Global Oil Prices Affect U.S. Consumers, Regardless of Policy
There also is a world market for oil. When oil prices go up in Europe and Asia, people here pay more. Even a Trump-Energy Secretary should know this.
Time to Take Stock and Prepare
The escalating Middle East conflict is pushing crude oil toward $200 a barrel, straining global markets. The Philippines’ strategic reserves only cover about 45 days, leaving the nation exposed to price shocks. A newly mandated four‑day work week will shift...
Solar Power Unbound by Geopolitical Chokepoints
Solar does not care about the Strait of Hormuz. Oil flows through chokepoints. Solar follows a learning curve. Great piece @azeem https://t.co/QqddYuyh9a https://t.co/4dYcRUXdI4
Massive $8.39 M Oil Short Targets $147.94
Someone has opened a $8,390,000 Oil short position today on Hyperliquid. Liquidation price: $147.94. https://t.co/LxECXDypMz
RGreen Raises Over $1 Billion for European Green Infrastructure Fund
RGREEN INVEST closed its fifth green infrastructure fund, Infragreen V, at over €900 million, surpassing the €670 million raised for the previous vintage. The fund will finance mid‑market European projects in renewable generation, energy storage, and electrification, with a strategic emphasis on...
Trump Aide Claims Oil Supply Fine, Market Distribution Problematic
Trump advisor to @axios: "There's plenty of oil. It's just getting it on the market that's the thing." Uh yeah, that's how oil works. https://t.co/LilosSuv3P
Regime's Missiles Could Jeopardize Hormuz Tankers, Spike Oil
If the regime holds on, what is to stop its missiles and drones from threatening tankers through the Strait of Hormuz? Its ability to impact energy prices would be enormous. https://t.co/Xu1MLsUQXz
Saudi Pays Record Tanker Rates to Ship Red Sea Crude
Saudi Arabia is booking more and more super oil tankers at sky high rates (>$450,000 a day vs pre-war levels of $100,000 a day) to shift crude from the Red Sea into global markets.
Russia Rakes Up $150 Million Daily From Oil Surge
NEW: Russia is earning up to $150mn a day in extra budget revenues from oil sales amid price rises thanks to the US-Iran war. Moscow has so far earned $1.3bn-$1.9bn from taxes on oil exports and could receive $3.3bn-$4.9bn in total...
Questioning Strategic Reserves Amid Low Export History
IEA reserve requirements set on the basis of national net imports. We're not a net importer. Our net exports were smaller during the CPC time in gov't. Was a strategic reserve built up during that period? Contemplated?