Duke Energy’s Proactive Grid Upgrades Under Fire From Electric Co-Ops
Duke Energy is proactively upgrading poles and wires in North Carolina to clear space for up to 3.7 GW of new solar, spreading the $57 million cost across all ratepayers rather than charging developers fully. Electric cooperatives, which purchase wholesale power from Duke, have filed a FERC complaint demanding that solar developers shoulder half the upgrade expense. Regulators had previously forced Duke to adopt the shared‑cost approach to ease grid congestion, but a ruling in favor of the co‑ops could force a return to the costly per‑project model and jeopardize pending solar projects. The outcome may set a precedent for federal involvement in state transmission planning and affect solar development nationwide.
GeoPark Continuing Production Up QoQ
GeoPark Ltd reported average production of 27,249 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boed) in Q1 2026, a modest rise from the prior quarter despite divesting assets in Brazil and Ecuador. Production grew in both Colombia and Argentina, with Colombian output...
Which Countries Lead the Way on Nuclear Energy?
Global nuclear power is entering a resurgence, with the United States still topping electricity output but China rapidly expanding its reactor fleet. China now operates 60 reactors and is constructing roughly 36 more, positioning it to overtake the U.S. by...
Siemens Energy Raises Outlook as Demand for Power Equipment Soars
Siemens Energy lifted its 2026 outlook after a sharp rise in Q2 orders and profits, driven by booming demand for power equipment in data centres. The company now expects sales to grow 14‑16% and profit margins before special items to...
India Needs Two Time Zones to Electrify Its Future, Reduce Energy Stress
India’s single‑time‑zone policy forces the east and west to operate on identical clocks, creating simultaneous peaks in electricity demand as factories, EV chargers and air‑conditioners come online. Analysts argue that adopting two time zones—GMT +6 for the eastern states and GMT +5...
How BIPV Façades Behave Under Enclosure Fire Conditions
A research team led by the University of Science and Technology of China built a stainless‑steel compartment to evaluate how building‑integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) façades behave in enclosure fires. The study tested three PV module types—CdTe thin‑film, double‑glazed crystalline silicon and...
China Wafer Declines Narrow as Demand-Side Regulation Lifts Market Sentiment
China's photovoltaic wafer prices saw their steepest weekly declines narrow, with n-type M10 and G12 wafers falling only 0.71% and 0.59% respectively. Despite the modest pull‑back, trading volumes remain weak as solar‑cell manufacturers operate at reduced capacity, dampening downstream demand....
Ontario Approves 230kV Red Lake Transmission Expansion
Ontario’s government has approved Hydro One Networks to construct the 230 kV Red Lake Transmission Line, a 162‑km double‑circuit project linking Dryden and Red Lake. The line will add roughly 400 MW of capacity—four times the current supply—enhancing grid reliability for remote communities and...
The GWEC 2026 Report Highlights Opportunities for Composites in the Wind Energy Sector
The Global Wind Energy Council’s Global Wind Report 2026 projects a pivotal 2025, with 165 GW of new installations pushing total worldwide capacity beyond 1,299 GW. The report frames wind power as a core infrastructure element, accelerated by fossil‑fuel supply tensions and...
Japan to Start Releasing Extra 20 Days' Worth of Oil Reserves From May 1
Japan will begin a second strategic drawdown of its strategic petroleum reserves on May 1, releasing roughly 20 days’ worth of oil. The release adds 5.8 million kiloliters, valued at about ¥540 billion ($3.4 billion), to the 50‑day release that started in mid‑March. The oil...
Daikin Unveils ‘Plumb-and-Play’ Residential Heat Pump
Daikin has introduced the Altherma 3 H HT, a pre‑engineered air‑to‑water heat pump that can replace traditional boilers with a plug‑and‑play setup. The unit operates down to –28 °C using R‑32 refrigerant and can deliver water up to 70 °C, making it compatible with existing...
Hormuz Tensions Heat Up
U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the Navy to fire on any vessel laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz and intercepted two super‑tankers attempting to evade traffic restrictions. Iran responded by attacking at least three ships, keeping the waterway effectively...
DTU Uses Lithoz Ceramic 3D Printing to Build Gyroid Fuel Cells
Researchers at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) have used Lithoz’s ceramic 3D‑printing platform to fabricate monolithic solid‑oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) with gyroid lattice structures made from 8 mol % yttria‑stabilized zirconia. The gyroid architecture delivers a power‑to‑weight ratio of roughly 1 W g⁻¹,...
TEN Extends Shuttle Tanker Deals Into Next Decade
Tsakos Energy Navigation (TEN) has secured extensions for two shuttle tankers, adding up to five years of charter each starting around mid‑2028. The extensions are projected to generate more than $200 million in gross revenue over their term. The move reinforces...
Bangladesh Launches Tenders for 77.6 MW of Solar
Bangladesh’s Power Development Board (BPDB) has issued tenders for three grid‑connected solar projects totaling 77.6 MW across Chittagong, Rangamati and Dinajpur. The plants will be built on a turnkey basis, financed by BPDB and the Power Sector Development Fund, with completion...
‘Hormuz Crisis Shows Need for New Nuclear Power’. Does It Really, Though?
The article questions the push for a new nuclear renaissance sparked by energy shocks in the Strait of Hormuz, citing recent attacks on Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia plant and Iran’s Bushehr facility. It highlights lingering fears from Chernobyl and Fukushima, emphasizing that...
Bunnings Extends Zero Up-Front Home Solar and Battery Deal to Three New States
Bunnings is extending its zero‑up‑front home solar and battery subscription, Zelora, to Victoria, Queensland and South Australia. The service, developed with Intellihub, offers four battery‑only or battery‑plus‑solar packages that are installed for free and paid via monthly fees ranging from...
“I’ll Sign, You Drill:” State Puts Oil and Gas Project on Fast-Track, Two Days After “Calling In” Another Big Battery
Queensland’s Liberal‑National government approved a new Works Regulation that fast‑tracks the Taroom Trough oil and gas field, the first new oil project in Australia in half a century. Deputy premier Jarrod Bleijie framed the move as a boost to national...
“More Gas Will Cook Our Planet:” Protestors Disrupt Oil and Gas Giant AGM as New CEO Lands $17m Package
Climate activists stormed Woodside Energy's annual general meeting in Perth, chanting that additional gas will "cook our planet" and drawing attention to the company's LNG expansion. Shareholders approved the agenda but a notable 34.5% voted against the new CEO Liz...
Iran War Sparks Push to Transform Syria Into Global Energy Corridor
The United States is evaluating a plan to turn war‑torn Syria into a land‑based energy corridor, linking Gulf and Iraqi oil and gas fields to the Mediterranean and Europe. The proposal, outlined by envoy Tom Barrack, emphasizes reviving the $4.5 bn...
Laps of Icy Roads in China Show Sodium Batteries Making an EV Breakthrough
Chinese automaker Changan, in partnership with battery giant CATL, demonstrated mass‑produced electric SUVs and a coupe powered by sodium‑ion batteries on icy tracks in Inner Mongolia. The tests highlighted that sodium‑ion cells can deliver roughly 350 km of range and operate...
Higher Bill Presented for 10 Spinning Machines Fast-Tracked to Protect “Heartbeat” Of Grid
Transgrid has lodged a $1.19 billion Australian‑dollar (about $0.79 bn USD) request to install ten synchronous condensers supplied by GE Vernova. The cost is more than double the 2020 estimate, reflecting global supply shortages as grids shift from coal to renewables. An NSW...
Former ABC Political Editor to Host Fund-Raiser to Help Launch New Nuclear Campaign
Chris Uhlmann, former ABC political editor and vocal anti‑renewables figure, will anchor an invite‑only fundraising dinner for the Nuclear for Australia lobby in Sydney. The event costs AUD 235 per seat (≈US$155) and will preview a new national advertising campaign aimed...
Put a (Roof) Coat On—It Is Hot Out There
EnKoat, a startup backed by Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2) and Galvanize Real Estate, applied its dual‑function IntelliKoat roof coating to a 60,000‑sq‑ft warehouse in Pedricktown, New Jersey. The coating acts as a thermal barrier and weather shield, aiming to lower interior...
Fortescue Tips Another $1B Into Pilbara Green Energy Infrastructure
Fortescue Metals Group’s board approved an additional US$680 million (A$954 million) to expand its Pilbara Green Energy Project, fast‑tracking a 200 MW renewable power hub in Western Australia. The investment will broaden the infrastructure to supply electricity to third‑party customers, not just Fortescue’s...
Fortescue Tips Another $1B Into Pilbara Green Energy Infrastructure
Fortescue Metals Group’s board approved an additional US$680 million (approximately A$954 million) to accelerate the 200 MW Pilbara Green Energy Project in Western Australia. The funding will expand solar and battery infrastructure that will supply renewable power to Fortescue’s mines and third‑party customers...
Japan Firms Least Confident on Net Zero Among G7, BSI Survey Shows
A British Standards Institution survey of 7,068 business leaders finds Japanese firms are the least confident among G7 economies about achieving net‑zero emissions. Only 69% of Japanese respondents say they are committed to their national target and just 43% believe...
Most Home Batteries Were Never Designed for a Home, and That’s a Potential Problem
Australia leads global rooftop solar adoption, with one‑in‑three homes equipped. Rising energy costs and government incentives, such as the Cheaper Home Batteries Program, are spurring demand for residential battery storage. However, many available systems originate from commercial applications, overlooking space,...
Helix–Hornbeck Merger Creates Deepwater Services Heavyweight
Houston‑based Helix Energy Solutions and Hornbeck Offshore Services have signed an all‑stock merger agreement. Hornbeck shareholders will receive roughly 55% of the combined entity while Helix shareholders retain about 45% on a fully diluted basis. The new company, operating under...
Grid-Forming Inverters Feature in 74% of Australia’s 33.2GW NEM Battery Storage Pipeline
Around 74% of battery projects in Australia’s National Electricity Market (NEM) now feature grid‑forming inverters, a technology that can independently control voltage and frequency. The NEM battery storage pipeline surged to 33.2 GW in Q1 2026, a 62% increase from the previous...
Solar-Battery Project Seals First Local Benefits Deal Under State’s Rigorous New Planning Regime
Res Australia’s Queensland arm, Central Queensland Power, signed the state’s first solar community benefits agreement (CBA) for the 450 MW Wooderson project, unlocking its development application under Queensland’s new planning regime. The deal obligates the developer to contribute roughly $560 per...
Australian Energy Market Commission Proposes 20-Year Distribution Planning Framework to Ease Solar Curtailment
The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) has issued a draft rule introducing a 20‑year distribution network development plan, replacing the current annual report with a five‑year horizon. The proposal adds a new data‑reporting framework focused on low‑voltage visibility to better...
Gearing up for MEPC 84
Shipping industry bodies including BIMCO, CLIA and INTERTANKO reiterated their commitment to the IMO’s 2023 GHG reduction strategy, despite the October 2025 postponement of new IMO emissions regulations following U.S. pressure. They have collectively invested billions in alternative‑fuel trials and...
Fossil Fuel Subsidies, High Costs Slow Energy Transition in Rural Indonesia
Indonesia’s Village Energy Transition Readiness Index shows solar adoption among households fell 26% between 2021 and 2024, while solar‑powered street lighting rose 20%. The decline is linked to high upfront costs, weak incentives and persistent fossil‑fuel subsidies. Regional gaps persist,...
Lithium Supply Tightens as Low Prices Stall New Projects
Lithium supply is tightening, with analysts warning of a potential global deficit as early as 2024 that could extend to 2035. Prices have plunged about 80% year‑over‑year to mid‑2025, eroding miner margins and stalling new projects. Production cuts are evident...
Examining Opportunities and Obstacles Facing Central Asia’s Quest to Reach Sea
A Capitol Hill forum hosted by the New Lines Institute highlighted the Silk Seven Plus (S7+) initiative, which envisions a Greater Central Asian economic community linking the Caspian Basin to the Arabian Sea. Experts stressed Afghanistan’s pivotal role as the...
Western Australia: Digital Logistics Power Energy Security
Western Australia has added 8 million litres of diesel to its strategic reserves, bringing total state‑owned stock to 12 million litres. The expansion supports the state’s digital and industrial sectors, ensuring continuous power for data centres, automated logistics and IoT‑driven agriculture. Fuel...
Fox ESS Ranks No. 1 Globally in Residential Energy Storage
Fox ESS was ranked No. 1 worldwide for residential energy‑storage shipments in 2025, according to S&P Global’s Market Tracker. The company’s global market share jumped 50 % year‑over‑year, putting it ahead in Germany and the UK. Headcount doubled to over 5,000 employees, with...
Trump Says Americans Should Expect Higher Gas Prices for 'a Little While'
President Donald Trump warned that U.S. drivers will face higher gasoline prices for "a little while" as the Iran‑Israel conflict drags on, though he downplayed the impact on stocks and oil markets. Brent crude rose to $105 per barrel and...
ARENA Backs Lithium Refining Manufacturing Trial in Western Australia
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is committing up to AUD 38.1 million (about US$25 million) to fund a low‑emissions lithium‑phosphate demonstration plant in Western Australia. Led by PLS Group, the pilot will use Calix Limited’s electric‑kiln technology to cut calcination emissions by...
‘Beneficiary Pays’ Model Gains Traction With Lawmakers
Lawmakers at Data Center World urged Congress to adopt a “beneficiary pays” model, requiring companies that drive demand for new transmission lines—such as data centers—to foot the bill. Rep. Julie Fedorchak (R‑ND) and Rep. Scott Peters (D‑CA) highlighted cost allocation...
Solid-State Batteries Hold More Juice, but Keep Cracking Up. Now Researchers Know Why
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute identified mechanical stress as the primary driver of dendrite‑induced cracking in ceramic solid electrolytes, debunking the electron‑leak theory. Using cryogenic vacuum experiments, they showed that lithium dendrites act like a high‑pressure water jet, fracturing the...
Spot Prices Wrap: West Texas Natural Gas Stumbles as Oversupply Outweighs Warm Weather
West Texas natural‑gas spot prices slipped into negative territory on Thursday as mild spring weather dampened heating demand and pipeline constraints limited take‑away capacity. The oversupply situation outweighed any seasonal warm‑weather boost, driving the Waha hub to trade below $0...
Trump Administration Extends Jones Act Waiver for Another 90 Days
The Trump administration, after issuing a 60‑day waiver to ease coastwise transport of petroleum and fertilizer, is weighing a further 90‑day extension of the Jones Act exemption. About 40 foreign‑flagged vessels have already moved products between U.S. ports, delivering gasoline...
How Corporate Energy Buyers Are Reshaping the U.S. Grid: CEBA CEO Rich Powell on Data Centers, Nuclear, and Permitting Reform
Corporate energy buyers, organized through the Corporate Energy Buyers Association (CEBA), have locked in 143.8 GW of clean‑energy contracts since 2014—roughly the capacity of the Texas grid. The surge is powered primarily by data‑center and AI demand, which helped drive a...
Duke Energy’s Robinson Nuclear Plant Gets NRC Approval to Operate Until 2050
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved a subsequent license renewal for Duke Energy’s Robinson Nuclear Plant, extending its operating life to 2050. The 759 MW facility, which powers roughly 570,000 homes, will continue providing carbon‑free electricity for another 20 years. The renewal...
Commerce Releases Prelim Antidumping Tariffs in India, Indonesia, Laos Solar Case
The U.S. Department of Commerce released preliminary antidumping duties on solar cells from India (123.04%), Indonesia (35.17%) and Laos (22.46%). Combined with preliminary countervailing duties, India faces the steepest overall tariff burden. The Alliance for American Solar Manufacturing and Trade,...
Trump Taps Defense Production Act to Address Grid Equipment, Energy Project Bottlenecks
President Donald Trump has invoked the Defense Production Act to accelerate production of critical energy‑infrastructure components, including transformers, substations, pipelines and LNG systems. The White House published the determinations in the Federal Register, authorizing the Department of Energy to apply...
Rethinking Load Growth: New Partnerships Between Power Developers and Midstream Natural Gas Companies
The article highlights a six‑fold surge in U.S. peak‑load forecasts, driven by data‑center expansion and industrial electrification, and proposes capturing waste energy from natural‑gas pipelines using turbo‑expander generators. Over 3,500 pressure‑regulating facilities could be retrofitted with modular, low‑cost pressure‑to‑power systems,...
San Antonio Military Base Weighs Nuclear Option for Grid Independence
Joint Base San Antonio‑Randolph is slated to host a prototype nuclear microreactor, marking the first commercial atomic power installation in Texas. The Department of the Air Force and the Defense Innovation Unit chose Antares Energy to propose its R1 microreactor...