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:
Spain’s Wind-Farm Bargain
Spain’s Castilla‑La Mancha town Higueruela transformed from a declining community into a renewable‑energy hub after a wind farm was installed 25 years ago. Today, taxes and lease fees from Iberdrola supply roughly 40% of the municipal budget, funding libraries, youth centers, transport and senior services. An academic study shows Spanish wind farms lift municipal revenue per capita by about 45%, creating a positive development loop similar to historic railroads. The article contrasts this model with U.S. resistance to renewables and highlights lingering environmental concerns over biodiversity and land use.
Clean Coal: An Oxymoron as Absurd as Beneficial Cancer
Absolutely insane. “Clean coal” is like saying there’s such a thing as beneficial malignant stage 4 cancer.
War in Iran Sends Farmer’s Fuel, Fertilizer Costs Soaring
The Israel‑U.S. attacks on Iran have turned the Strait of Hormuz into a virtual no‑go zone, halting shipments of crude, natural gas and key fertilizers. Blocked exports of nitrogen, ammonia and phosphates pushed urea prices 71% to $600 a ton,...
US Oil Slides Below $80 as War Risk Fades
US oil prices fall over -16% on the day and officially drop below $80/barrel. Geopolitical risk premiums are being rapidly priced-out. The oil market says the war is ending.
What If the Iran War Ended Today? How Long Before Oil Is Normal?
An analyst cited by the Wall Street Journal estimates that if the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran ended today, shipping traffic in the Persian Gulf would normalize in about two weeks and oil production would return to pre‑war levels within two...
JPMorgan Backs Clean Iron Startup Electra
Electra, a Colorado clean‑iron startup, secured a $30 million venture‑debt facility from J.P. Morgan to move toward its first commercial plant. The company’s low‑temperature electro‑refining process converts iron ore into 99% pure iron using renewable electricity, eliminating coal and high‑grade ore...
Brent's Record Volatility Mirrors War Uncertainty
Brent becomes extremely volatile amid confusion about war’s duration Brent futures traded in a record daily range of more than $35 per barrel on March 9, as traders reacted to conflicting signals about the closure of the Strait of Hormuz...
US Naval Embargo Uncertainty Exposes Presidential Rhetoric Gap
what is happening to this oil after it leaves the Persian Gulf? Are US ships going to stop embargo it or will they let it go? If they don't capture the ship then there's a series disconnect between what the President...
EIA Lowers Henry Hub Natural Gas Price Forecast Despite Iran War Fallout
The U.S. Energy Information Administration cut its Henry Hub natural‑gas price forecast to about $3.80 per MMBtu, a 13 % reduction from the previous month’s outlook. The agency also projects the 2027 average price near $3.90 per MMBtu, despite recent price...
Renewables Dominate California Grid, Gas Down 60%
In 2023, there was not a single day until spring where WindWaterSolar met >100% of demand for part of the day on the California ISO grid. During winter 2026, so far there are already 45 of 68 such days (66%), and...
Data Centre Energy Pledge Unlikely to Benefit Solar PV
Seven leading tech firms—including Amazon, Google and OpenAI—have signed the White House‑backed “ratepayer protection pledge,” committing to secure the electricity needed for their expanding data centres. The pledge, announced by President Trump, obliges signatories to build, acquire or purchase power...
Activ8 Solar Energies and Tayto Launch Landmark Solar Project in Ashbourne
Activ8 Solar Energies has commissioned a €1.17 million rooftop solar array at Tayto Snacks' Ashbourne plant, marking the snack maker's largest renewable investment. The 1,734‑panel system supplies roughly 10% of Tayto’s annual electricity needs, generating about 667 MWh each year. It is...
Opinion: Waiving the Jones Act Won’t Lower Gas Prices—Tanker Markets Prove It
The op‑ed argues that waiving the Jones Act would not reduce U.S. gasoline prices because foreign‑flagged tankers are more expensive to charter than domestic Jones Act vessels. Using Worldscale data, the author shows a Houston‑to‑New York freight rate of WS410 equals...
How the India?US Trade Deal Could Reshape India?s Energy Strategy- #BeltAndRoad #Economy #Infrastructure #CapitalMarkets #Finance
The newly announced India‑US trade deal places clean energy at its core, promising substantial American investment and technology transfer to accelerate India’s renewable rollout. The agreement aligns with New Delhi’s target of 450 GW of renewable capacity by 2035 and aims...
Europe Remains Top Destination for U.S. LNG Cargoes Despite Asian Supply Squeeze Amid Middle East War
Europe continues to dominate U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments, absorbing the majority of cargoes despite a tightening Asian market. The recent Middle East conflict has slashed regional energy exports, reducing the incentive for U.S. producers to divert LNG to...
Wales First Part of UK to Mandate Solar Panels on New Buildings
Wales will become the first UK region to require solar panels on new domestic and commercial buildings, with the rule taking effect on 4 March 2027. The updated building regulations mandate a "system for renewable electricity generation," which industry analysts say will...
How IEA Emergency Oil Releases Actually Work
It's a while since the last IEA emergency oil release, so I put together a briefing note on how it works in practice as it follows a strict technical and diplomatic protocol. The below is a (simplified) guide to follow...
Trump's Quick End Threatened by Hormuz Oil Leverage
trump may want to end the iran war quickly. but closing the strait of hormuz or even threatening it keeps oil high and the conflict alive. @gzeromedia
Gasoline Prices Spike, Now up 25% Since January, Diesel Prices 40%, Heating up Inflation
Gasoline prices jumped 25% since the January low, reaching $3.63 per gallon—the highest level since June 2024, while diesel surged 40% to $4.86, its highest since October 2022. The spike is driven largely by station profit‑margin adjustments rather than a supply crunch,...
Position Green Launches Decarbonization Investment ROI Calculator
Position Green, a sustainability software and advisory firm, unveiled an ROI Calculator that translates decarbonization projects into quantifiable financial metrics. Developed using a model from Stockholm School of Economics professor Rickard Sandberg, the tool provides ROI, NPV, payback period, emissions...
Saudi Aramco CEO Issues Stark Warning: Iran War Could Bring ‘Catastrophic’ Shock to Global Oil
Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser warned that the Iran‑Israel‑U.S. war could trigger a catastrophic shock to global oil markets if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. The conflict has already halted up to 20% of world petroleum trade, pushed Brent...
How Are Prices of Gas & Diesel in ASEAN, and Where Do We Go From Here?
Gasoline and diesel prices across ASEAN vary widely, with Singapore topping the list at roughly $2.84 per litre and Indonesia and Malaysia offering sub‑$0.60 rates thanks to subsidies. Market‑driven economies such as the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand see prices track...
After Google Takeover, Intersect Spins Off Grid-Tied Power Business
Google announced a $4.75 billion cash acquisition of renewable‑energy developer Intersect, aiming to accelerate electricity generation for its expanding data‑center portfolio. Existing investors, led by TPG Rise Climate, have spun off Intersect’s grid‑tied power assets into a new independent power producer...
HELLENiQ ENERGY Launches First Solar Parks in Romania
HELLENiQ ENERGY has begun commercial operations at two photovoltaic parks in southern Romania, delivering 58 MW of capacity. The projects are part of a 2023 agreement with METLEN to develop four solar sites totaling 211 MW, with the remaining 153 MW expected online...
More Nations Commit to Nuclear Future
At the Nuclear Energy Summit in Paris, Belgium, Brazil, China and Italy joined 34 other nations in a declaration to triple global nuclear capacity by 2050. The pledge raises the coalition to 38 countries and targets 1,200 GW of nuclear generation,...
US Adds 43.2GW of New Solar PV Capacity in 2025
US solar installations fell to 43.2 GW in 2025, a 14% decline from 2024. Utility‑scale capacity led the drop, shrinking 16% to 34.7 GW, with a 40% Q4 contraction linked to safe‑harbour tax‑credit timing. Residential installs were flat, while commercial‑industrial grew 6%,...
The $150 Oil Shock Might Be Exactly What Our Future Needs
Oil prices are soaring toward $150 per barrel after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, prompting analysts to warn of a potential disaster. Economic historian Carlota Perez argues that such high energy costs could instead serve as a catalyst, pushing...
Oil Deregulation Law Needs Guardrails
The 1998 Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act removed direct government price controls, fostering competition but leaving the market exposed to global shocks. A recent oil price surge linked to Middle East tensions caused a sharp stock market plunge and is...
EU Launches Clean Energy Investment Strategy
On March 10, 2026, the European Commission unveiled a Clean Energy Investment Strategy aimed at accelerating financing for Europe’s energy transition. The plan estimates a need for €660 billion of annual investment through 2030, rising to €695 billion in the following decade....
Govt Set to Launch New Version of PM KUSUM Scheme Focusing on Agri Solar PV Component
The Indian government is preparing to launch PM KUSUM 2.0, a revamped version of the 2019 renewable‑energy scheme that will add a dedicated 10 GW agri‑PV component. The original PM KUSUM aimed for 34,800 MW of solar capacity and has already installed over 10 lakh standalone...
QIMC Completes 711 Metre Discovery Hole DDH-26-01 at West-Advocate, Nova Scotia: Hydrogen System Confirmed at Depth
Québec Innovative Materials Corp. completed discovery borehole DDH-26-01 at its West‑Advocate project in Nova Scotia, reaching 711 m depth. Visible gas bubbles and instrument exceedances confirmed a persistent, pressurised hydrogen‑bearing system from roughly 505 m to the bottom of the hole. Diluted...
Largest California Utility Could Have 3,800 Electric Fleet Vehicles By 2030
Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), California’s largest utility, announced a plan to electrify 3,800 of its roughly 9,700 on‑road vehicles by 2030, covering 100% of light‑duty, 50% of medium‑duty, and 20% of heavy‑duty fleets. The utility currently operates 821 EV...
Gas Hits $3.54, Adding $25 Monthly Tax
What a chart. Gas prices are now $3.54, up more than 55 cents since before the war in Iran began. This is the highest gas price ever under President Trump (including his first term). This is effectively a $25/mo. tax on most households....
Submarine Reactors Prove SMRs Work, but Cost Skyrockets
Great perspective on the argument that naval submarine nuclear reactors prove that SMRs can work. Turns out they are crazy expensive. (Though this probably exaggerates cost somewhat.)
Oil and LNG Traffic Through Hormuz Appears Minimal
Doesn't seem like there's a lot of Oil/LNG moving through the Strait of Hormuz at all https://t.co/5QrGSihDEA
Europe Should Follow Japan's ABWR Revival, Not SMRs
I guess it's good Europeans are embracing nuclear power again but if SMRs are what they're hanging their hat on, they're going to continue to lag behind. They'd be better off paying attention to what's going on in Japan right...
Supply Strength Keeps Oil Prices Low, Diminishing Hedge Demand
Oil market isn't going the way Iran hoped. Amazing what the Saudi/UAE pipelines can do, plus the (very clear) threat of SPR release. Plus, oil crisis are defined by price x duration. Without a feared long disruption, investors aren't chasing oil futures...
Unverified Tanker Claim Lacks Details and Proof
Big IF True... "a large oil tanker went through 36 hours ago" but doesn't specify the tanker then says "Navy successfully escorted" but doesn't provide proof. #Hormuz #Iran https://t.co/WKay8jJ3hD
Navy Escort Through Hormuz Eases Supply Fears, Oil Falls
This Bloomberg headline crossing now may explain the new downturn in crude oil prices (repost) --- *US NAVY ESCORTED AN OIL TANKER THROUGH THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ
US Oil Slides 15% to $80, 32% Below Peak
*US OIL PRICES EXTEND DECLINE, FALL 15% TO TRADE NEAR $80/BBL April 2026 WTI futures are now down ~32% since Sunday night's peak https://t.co/9QugACQ3Q0
Renewables Don't Drive Up U.S. Electricity Prices
Think of this graph of real U.S. price and electricity production data, straight from the Department of @Energy, next time you hear the false claim that renewables increase electricity prices and that coal, gas, or nuclear is needed to keep...
Kirkuk Pipeline Offers Iraq's Sole Hormuz Bypass
Oil production around Kirkuk, in Iraqi Kurdistan, is connected to global markets via a pipeline to the Turkish port of Ceyhan This is Iraq’s only crude supply that can bypass the currently-closed Strait of Hormuz Shut-ins in the Basra area by the...
ING Predicts Oil Market Shock if Hormuz Closes
What impact will closing the Strait of Hormuz have? ING takes a guess featured in the Chartbook Top Links of today. https://t.co/aiQTNxvQMb
Hormuz Closure Reverses WCS‑WTI Spread Amid Sour Crude Flow
Most of the crude that ships out of the Strait of Hormuz is medium-to-heavy sour Western Canadian Select at Houston vs WTI, which reflects a clean light-heavy quality differential, had weakened (widened) on Venezuela reentering the USGC market—Hormuz closure entirely reversed...
Extreme Backwardation Signals Temporary, Overdone Oil Price Spike
You didn't have to be a genius to look at the extreme backwardation in the Futures curve for crude oil to call the current price spike temporary, and overdone. #CrudeOil
Buy Crude at 83‑92; Below $75 Signals End
If you are bullish crude on reescalation, this is the buy zone .. Equilibrium in CL1 should be 83/92 .. Single prints yesterday on trump comments in the 91/92 area. Below $75 (the first Sunday gap when the war started)...
Markets Question Reopening Timing Amid Falling Oil Prices
The hard thing for markets is reading this while oil prices are falling — I think the question is whether markets correctly anticipate a reopening before it happens or whether it needs a big headline.
EVs Leap Forward: 777km Range, 12‑Minute Charge
Re-reading the excellent Energy A Human History by Richard Rhodes and I'm struck by how much has changed re: EVs since it was published in 2018. BYD just announced a 777km range battery that charges in 12 minutes. Car's fast...
India Redirects LPG to Homes Amid Gas Shortage
INDIA GAS SHORTAGE 🇮🇳 ⚠️ India invoked emergency powers to redirect LPG away from industrial users to households LNG supplies to petrochemical and power plants are being curbed The crisis in the Middle East is throttling India’s LPG and LNG supply https://t.co/ujn00XTSnf
China Buffers Iran Oil Shock with Stockpiles, EV Shift
China Has Spent Years Preparing for the Iran Oil Crisis—Massive oil stockpiles and a shift to electric vehicles help insulate the economy from supply disruptions in the Mideast @BrianSpegele https://t.co/xq1mMRdTGu https://t.co/xq1mMRdTGu