Crude Prices Soar as Iran War Looks to Escalate
Crude prices jumped 3.7% on April 7, with WTI May futures hitting a four‑week high as the Iran‑Israel‑U.S. conflict threatens to close the Strait of Hormuz. The New York Times reported Iran ended talks with Washington, while U.S. strikes on Kharg Island and Iranian attacks across the Persian Gulf heightened supply worries. Saudi Aramco added to the rally by raising its May Asian crude price by $17 a barrel, the biggest hike on record. OPEC+ announced a 206,000 bpd output increase, but regional production cuts and floating storage constraints may blunt its effect.
Why Oil Markets Could Be Wildly Wrong on Strait of Hormuz
The article argues that oil markets may be overstating the impact of the Strait of Hormuz disruption, suggesting that while flows have been curtailed, they are not entirely halted. Analysts note that Iran is likely regulating traffic rather than enforcing...
From ‘Nice to Have’ to Business Critical: The TCO Case for Private 5G in Oil and Gas
Oil and gas operators are moving from legacy TETRA, Wi‑Fi and SCADA networks to private 5G as assets become more distributed and data‑intensive. The article argues that a total‑cost‑of‑ownership (TCO) lens reveals private 5G’s ability to cut unplanned outages, consolidate...
Pressure Mounts on BP over Move to Retire Legacy Climate Proposals
BP announced it will retire a set of legacy climate‑related shareholder proposals, including the Follow This initiative, as part of a broader governance review. Proxy adviser Glass Lewis and a coalition of prominent UK investors have publicly opposed the move,...
SFDR Fossil Fuel Exclusions Split Investors Amid Transition and Energy Security Fears
The EU’s Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) is under review as fossil‑fuel exclusion criteria become a flash‑point among asset managers. A public consultation seeks to overhaul the rule, sparking a split between investors prioritising climate transition and those wary of...
The Road to De-Escalation With Iran
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is driving sharp increases in oil, liquefied natural gas, fertilizer and LPG prices worldwide. These spikes are inflating costs for cash‑strapped governments and jeopardizing food security in key agricultural regions. Analysts argue that...
Trump Breathes New Life Into Old Green Hydrogen Dreams
President Donald Trump’s war in Iran is reshaping global fuel strategies, prompting Japan to accelerate its green hydrogen agenda. Tokyo has teamed with New Zealand to launch a hydrogen corridor that will power a freight route between Fukushima and Fukuoka, targeting...
PPC Group Completes Construction at 2.1GW Greek Solar PV Portfolio
Greek utility PPC Group has finished building a 2.13 GW solar photovoltaic portfolio across former lignite mines in northern Greece, branding it as Europe’s largest PV cluster. The 14‑project complex, highlighted by the 550 MW Phoebe plant and the 940 MW Amyntaio complex...
Are Manure Digesters a Real Solution to Dairy Farm Emissions?
Governments are subsidizing anaerobic digesters that turn cow manure into biogas, a technology that can slash methane emissions from dairy operations by up to 70%. Proponents argue the systems are among the most effective livestock‑focused climate tools, while critics warn...
800 MW/1.5 GWh Dinawan Solar Farm and Battery Storage Project in Australia Secures Approval, Bids to Reduce NSW Reliance on...
Spark Renewables secured final state approval for the Dinawan hybrid project in New South Wales, pairing an 800 MW solar farm with a 356 MW/1,574 MWh battery energy storage system. The AUD 1.35 billion development sits in the South West Renewable Energy Zone and links to...
Oil Prices Reach Low Boil Ahead Of Strait Of Hormuz End Game
Crude oil prices climbed to $115.79 a barrel, the highest level since the Iran‑Israel conflict began, as the U.S. deadline for Tehran to relinquish control of the Strait of Hormuz approaches. The S&P 500 slipped 0.9% amid fears that a further...
Proposed Brownsville Refinery Moves Forward With FEED Engineering Phase
Fluor Corporation has been awarded the front‑end engineering and design (FEED) contract for the America First Refining (AFR) project in Brownsville, Texas. The grassroots refinery is planned to process up to 168,000 barrels of light U.S. crude per day and...
New Episode: Q&A with Sweden’s Nuclear Power Chief
Sweden has dramatically reversed its nuclear policy, scrapping the phase‑out plan and opening the door for new reactors. The government lifted the cap on operating units, approved additional sites and introduced incentives to speed investment. Its roadmap now targets at...
New Episode: Q&A with Sweden’s Nuclear Power Chief
Sweden has reversed its nuclear phase‑out, now targeting at least 2.5 GW of new capacity by 2035 and roughly ten reactors by 2045. The government lifted the cap on reactors, approved new sites and introduced incentives to speed up investment. Carl Berglöf,...
The Hormuz War Will End
The near‑closure of the Strait of Hormuz has removed roughly 9‑10 million barrels of crude, 5 million barrels of refined products and 20% of global LNG from markets, creating the worst energy shock since the 1973 Arab oil embargo. Existing bypass pipelines...
BWXT Initiates NRC Pre-Application Process for HEU Enrichment Facility in Erwin, Tennessee
BWX Technologies (BWXT) has notified the Nuclear Regulatory Commission of its intent to seek a license for a new highly enriched uranium (HEU) enrichment facility in Erwin, Tennessee. The plant is part of a $1.5 billion Department of Energy contract to...
US Shale Drillers Expected to Lift Crude Output
U.S. shale drillers are gearing up to increase crude output after a 68% price surge triggered by the Iran‑Israel conflict and Hormuz closure. With West Texas Intermediate trading around $115 per barrel—well above the $62‑$70 profit threshold—companies like Continental Resources...
PV-Driven Hydraulic Hydro Storage May Hit $0.022/kWh LCOE in the U.S.
An international study shows utility‑scale solar PV paired with hydraulic hydro storage (HHS) can achieve a levelized cost of energy as low as $0.022 per kilowatt‑hour in select U.S. regions. The techno‑economic analysis of 936 sites models gigawatt‑hour‑scale systems that...
Bluetti Launches New EnergyPro 13K Energy Storage System in the U.S.
Chinese battery maker Bluetti has introduced the EnergyPro 13K (EP13K) energy storage system for the U.S. market, priced at $7,919. The modular unit delivers 13.2 kW of continuous power and 9.6 kWh of storage out of the box, with the ability to...
Federal Permitting Is ‘Outsized’ Factor in Clean Energy Delays, Cancellations: Crux
A Crux survey of 50 clean‑energy developers found that every respondent had a project materially affected by federal permitting, totaling roughly 11 GW of capacity. More than 80% said they deliberately site projects to sidestep permitting triggers, while 72% prioritize predictability...
Latest DOE/EIA Diesel Benchmark Price Increase Adds Almost 25 Cts
The U.S. DOE/EIA diesel benchmark rose 24.2 cents to $5.643 per gallon, marking the 12th consecutive weekly increase and the highest level since July 2022. Over the 12‑week run the price has added $2.184 per gallon, driven by geopolitical tension...
Tesla Delivery Growth Lifts These EV Battery Suppliers, Report
Tesla’s first‑quarter deliveries rose 6% year‑over‑year, bucking a broader slowdown in China and the U.S. that has dampened global battery demand. The uptick lifted its key battery partners, with Panasonic’s shipments increasing 2.7% to 5.3 GWh, while LG Energy Solutions saw...
Heterojunction Vs. TOPCon in Perovskite-Silicon Tandem
Australian researchers report that tunnel‑oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) silicon cells have narrowed the open‑circuit voltage (VOC) gap with heterojunction (HJT) cells to less than 10 mV, while maintaining wafer‑tolerance and scalable production. Although TOPCon‑based perovskite‑silicon tandems lag slightly in peak efficiency,...
BP Chair Faces Re-Election Battle After Board Blocks Climate Resolution
BP’s board voted to block a shareholder‑proposed climate resolution that would have tightened the company’s net‑zero commitments and reporting standards. The move has triggered a high‑profile re‑election battle for chair Sir Murray Auchincloss at the upcoming annual general meeting. Activist...
National Diesel Average Rises for the 14th Consecutive Week, Reports Energy Information Administration
The Energy Information Administration reported diesel prices rose to $5.643 per gallon for the week of April 6, marking the 14th consecutive weekly increase and a $2.00 jump from a year ago. The price is up 24.2 cents from the previous...
$51 Million In New EV Charger Funding Available In Michigan
Michigan’s Department of Transportation announced the release of $51 million in discretionary NEVI formula funds to accelerate fast‑charging infrastructure across the state. The money will target gaps on major highways, aiming for a charger roughly every 60 miles and expanding the network...
The Hidden Culprit Behind Rising Gas Utility Bills
Rising gas‑utility bills are now driven primarily by infrastructure costs, not fuel prices. The Building Decarbonization Coalition report finds pipeline replacements accounted for about 70% of customer charges in 2024, while gas itself contributed only 30%. Over the past decade,...
Enverus Launches AI-Based Platform to Support Energy Industry
Enverus unveiled Enverus ONE, an AI‑driven execution platform for the energy sector. The system combines frontier AI models with Enverus’s proprietary Astra energy model to automate workflows across utilities, generators, and developers. It launches with four ready‑to‑use Flows—AFE Evaluation, Current...
GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy Supporting Deployment of SMR in Sweden
GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GVH) has signed a main services agreement with Sweden‑based engineering firm AFRY to support the deployment of its BWRX‑300 small modular reactor (SMR) in Europe. The non‑exclusive collaboration leverages AFRY’s regional expertise to deliver engineering,...
Pilot Initiative to Test Transparent Solar Films in West Africa
UK‑based NextGen Nano announced a £300 million agrivoltaics pilot in West Africa using its PolyPower™ transparent organic solar film. The project will integrate climate‑controlled greenhouse cultivation of nutrient‑dense crops such as amaranth and moringa with on‑site electricity generation to power cooling,...
Mr. Arithmetic Helps Donald Trump on “Taking Iran’s Oil”
Dean Baker’s latest CEPR column dissects former President Donald Trump’s proposal to seize Iran’s oil as a war‑funding mechanism. He highlights that Iran’s proven reserves—roughly 150 billion barrels—translate to over $10 trillion at current market prices, dwarfing any realistic U.S. budgetary need....
A Single Chokepoint Failure Reveals the Fragile Architecture of Africa’s Energy Supply Chain
The abrupt closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which carries about 20% of global oil, has halted tanker traffic and left African importers scrambling for fuel. Nations such as Kenya, Ethiopia and Zambia are already experiencing severe shortages and price...
New Pilot Program From kWH Analytics Will Reward Hail-Ready Solar Projects with Lower Insurance Costs
San Francisco‑based kWh Analytics and its insurance arm have launched a pilot with tracker maker Nextpower that rewards solar projects using hail‑ready NX Horizon trackers with lower insurance premiums. The program shares real‑time and historical stow performance data, giving insurers...
Turning the AC-DC Switch: A Legacy Technology Has Reached Its Limits.
The article argues that the century‑old dominance of alternating current (AC) is reaching its limits as hyperscale data centers, AI workloads, and electrified transportation demand more efficient power delivery. Converting AC to DC multiple times wastes up to 18% of...
Boomtown in Brownsville as Energy and High-Tech Bulk up Texas Investments
Brownsville is undergoing an industrial surge as major energy and high‑tech projects converge at its deep‑water port. Reliance Industries revived the America First Refining Project, a 240‑acre, 100‑percent shale oil refinery slated for construction by 2027, promising roughly 500 high‑pay...
TYG: Can See Durable Growth Over The Coming Decade
Tortoise Energy Infrastructure Corp (TYG) received a Buy rating, offering a 12.25% forward distribution yield through leveraged exposure to midstream energy and power infrastructure. The fund’s portfolio is weighted 54.2% toward renewables and power assets, including holdings such as CWEN,...
Gulf Coast Midstream Partners Inks Investment From Black Bay
Gulf Coast Midstream Partners announced a strategic investment from Black Bay Capital to fund the first phase of its Nash Energy Storage Hub. The capital will accelerate construction of a 100 MW battery facility in the Gulf Coast region, positioning GCMP...
Why Power Access Is Critical to Data Center Site Locations
Power availability has become the primary driver of data center design, influencing layout, phasing, and cooling strategies from the outset. Lenders now require executed power purchase agreements or firm interconnection commitments before committing capital, turning power certainty into a financing...
One Million Industrial Vehicles Charged in North America and Beyond by Delta to Advance Electrified Automated Logistics
Delta announced that its MOOV Series charging solutions have powered more than one million industrial vehicles across North America and globally. The portfolio spans 1‑30 kW conductive and inductive systems, including the MOOVair wireless chargers and the modular MOOVbase fast‑charging stations....
Shipping Constraints Mount as US Crude Exports Test Limits
Overseas demand for U.S. crude has surged amid the Iran conflict, pushing export volumes toward record levels. Analysts now argue that practical constraints limit Gulf Coast shipments to under 6 million barrels per day, far below the often‑cited 10 million‑bpd capacity. The...
Fervo, Turboden Sign 1.7-GW Turbine Deal for Geothermal Power Plants
Fervo Energy and Turboden America have signed a framework agreement to supply organic Rankine cycle (ORC) turbines for up to 35 GeoBlocks, delivering roughly 1.75 GW of capacity. The deal builds on a prior contract for three 50‑MW units at the...
UBS Has Alarming News About Oil if the Strait of Hormuz Closes
UBS commodity analyst Giovanni Staunovo warned that a shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz could remove roughly 10 million barrels of crude per day from global markets, adding to an already 90% reduction in flow. The chokepoint normally carries about 20 million...
Bay Area Startup Introduces Flat-Rate, Single-Room Heat Pumps
San Francisco startup Merino Energy launched the Merino Mono, a through‑the‑wall, single‑room heat pump priced at a flat $3,800 including professional installation. The unit installs in under an hour, draws 900 watts from a standard 120‑volt outlet, and serves spaces up to...
Government Confirms £195m Green Heat Network Funding for England and Wales
The UK government has earmarked £195 million for the Green Heat Network Fund, extending the grant programme to include Wales for the first time. The funding will back new heat‑network projects, upgrades, and integration of renewable sources such as biomass, solar...
Current Price of Oil as of April 7, 2026
Oil’s benchmark Brent crude rose to $113.40 a barrel on April 7, 2026, up $2.15 from the previous day and roughly 75% higher than a year ago. The price jumped 33.85% over the past month, reflecting tighter supply and renewed geopolitical...
Oil Prices Rise as Hormuz Stays Shut Ahead of Trump Deadline, Strikes on Iran Intensify
Oil prices jumped as the Strait of Hormuz remained closed, with Brent at $111.16 a barrel and U.S. WTI nearing $116, creating a rare WTI premium over Brent. President Trump gave Iran until midnight GMT to reopen the strait, threatening...
KWh Analytics to Reward Hail-Ready Solar Projects with Lower Insurance Costs
kWh Analytics has launched a data‑sharing pilot that lets solar developers provide real‑time tracker stow performance to insurers. By incorporating metrics such as 70° or 75° stow angles and heat‑tempered glass, the program demonstrates that resilient designs can slash projected...
War in Iran Drives Russian Oil Prices to a 13-Year High
Russian Urals crude surged to $116.05 a barrel on April 2, the highest level in over 13 years, as the Iran‑linked oil rally lifts global prices. The price far exceeds the $59 per barrel budget assumption, delivering a windfall that eases Kremlin...
Eversource, Avangrid Ask FERC to Stay $1.5B Refund Decision
FERC’s March 18 order cut the base return on equity for New England transmission owners, triggering a $1.5 billion refund obligation dating back to 2011. Eversource, Avangrid and other utilities argue the retroactive payments would damage liquidity, credit ratings and increase...
Oil Outage Labelled ‘Biggest in History’ Sends Prices and Nerves Higher
Six million barrels per day have gone offline as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, creating the biggest oil outage in modern history. The shutdown has cut roughly 20% of global supply, pushing Brent to about $109 and WTI to...