Lightshift Energy Lands BESS Portfolio for Virginia Electric Co-Ops
Lightshift Energy has secured a portfolio of five 5‑MW battery‑energy‑storage systems for Blue Ridge Power Agency and its member co‑ops in Virginia. The projects, located at three CVEC sites, one CBEC site and the City of Salem, are under construction and slated to begin operating in 2026. Over their lifetimes the storage assets are projected to generate roughly $100 million in savings for the participating utilities. The initiative highlights the growing role of distribution‑connected storage in curbing transmission and capacity costs.
Europe Has Six Weeks of Jet Fuel Left Caused by 'Dire Strait' Crisis, IEA Chief Warns
The International Energy Agency warned that Europe has roughly six weeks of jet fuel left as the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked by the Iran war. Airports Council International Europe says shortages could begin in early May if tankers cannot...
Maine’s Plug-In Solar Law Takes Effect in July and some Companies Are Already Selling Products in the State
Maine’s new plug‑in solar law, LD 1730, becomes effective July 15, 2026, allowing residents to install portable solar systems up to 420 W on their own or up to 1,200 W with a certified electrician. The legislation requires UL 3700 certification or...
Heavy Industry Could Cut Energy Use by 45% by 2050
A new report from the Energy Transitions Commission and Mission Possible Partnership finds that heavy‑industry sectors could cut energy use by 25‑45% by 2050 through improved energy productivity. Energy accounts for 30‑50% of costs in these sectors, so efficiency gains...
Centrica Tackles Difficult Terrain to Deliver Sustainable Solar Solution for Derbyshire Manufacturer
Centrica Business Solutions has completed a custom‑engineered solar farm for Derbyshire‑based Carpenter Ltd, installing 1,666 panels on a 14.6% sloped bank that was previously deemed unsuitable. The ground‑mount array will produce about 1,025 MWh of renewable electricity each year, cutting the...
Heat Pumps May Help Boost Residential Solar in France
France unveiled an electrification plan that seeks to install one million heat pumps per year by 2030, backed by €200 million in public funding. Subsidies of €12,000‑€14,000 aim to deliver a three‑year return on investment for units costing €10,000‑€15,000. The rollout...
India Imports LNG From US, Oman, and Nigeria in March as Qatar, UAE Supplies Dry Up
India’s LNG imports fell 20% year‑on‑year to 1.2 million tonnes in March 2026 after Qatar and UAE cargoes stopped amid escalating Middle‑East tensions. The shortfall, equivalent to about 47.4 MSCMD of gas, was partially offset by higher shipments from the United States, Oman and...
Referral of the Proposed Subsidy to EP Lynemouth Power Limited by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has proposed a Low‑Carbon Dispatchable Contract for Difference (LCD CfD) for EP Lynemouth Power Limited, covering 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2031. The deal would provide a strike price of £110 /MWh (about $140 /MWh) and an estimated...
Prepaid Leases Provide Pathway to Home-Owned Solar Projects
The residential solar market is reverting to third‑party ownership (TPO) after the 25D residential tax credit expired, but prepaid leases are emerging as a bridge to home ownership. Prepaid leases let homeowners pay the lease amount up front and buy...
Innovation Awards: CTC Also Recognised for Its LeiWaCo Lightweight Tank for Liquid Hydrogen in the Pipes, Tanks and Hydrogen Category
The JEC Composites Innovation Awards named CTC GmbH – an Airbus company for its LeiWaCo lightweight liquid‑hydrogen tank in the Pipes, Tanks and Hydrogen category. LeiWaCo tackles the long‑standing cryogenic microcracking problem by using a tough thermoplastic matrix, thinner laminates,...
Acciona Energía Signs Italy Industry Deals
Acciona Energía has entered bilateral agreements totaling 800 GWh of renewable electricity with Italy’s energy‑intensive firms, including steelmaker Acciaierie Venete. The contracts, under the government‑run Energy Release 2.0 scheme, lock in a fixed price of €65 per megawatt‑hour (about $71) for three...
Malaysia and Australia Strike Energy Supply Pledge to Bypass Iran War Disruptions
Malaysia and Australia pledged to keep oil and gas flowing as Iran’s war disrupts Middle‑East shipments, signing a joint energy‑security statement. Australia supplies nearly all of Malaysia’s LNG imports, while Malaysia provides refined fuel and urea for Australian transport and...
Solar Self-Generation Could Outperform PPAs in Brazil, Delivering up to 32.9% Savings
A new study by the Federal Universities of Ceará and São João del‑Rei shows that large industrial consumers in Brazil’s free‑contracting market can save up to 32.9% by financing, building and operating their own photovoltaic plants instead of signing long‑term power purchase...
Bunker Fuel Prices Begin to Stabilise – but Not at All Ports
Bunker fuel prices are beginning to stabilise at Singapore, the world’s largest bunkering hub, after an early surge that saw very‑low‑sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) breach $1,000 per tonne. The stabilisation reflects ample local stocks and fierce competition that keeps margins...
Less Gas, More Sun and Wind. Europe Is Handling the New Energy Crisis Better than the Russian Invasion One
Europe has reduced its gas consumption by roughly 20% since 2020, with electricity generation and district heating seeing cuts of up to 30% as renewables replace fossil fuels. The shift is driven by higher wind and solar capacity, especially in...
Tokamak Energy Joins UK’s Fusion Partnership
Tokamak Energy has been selected as the Magnet Systems Partner for the UK’s STEP fusion programme, securing a £70 million (≈$90 million) contract from UK Fusion Energy. The company will design, build and test high‑temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets through its TE Magnetics...
Molecular Lock Design Pushes Perovskite Solar Cell Efficiency Past 26 Percent
Researchers at SUSTech and PolyU introduced a rigid‑backbone molecule that locks the interface of inverted perovskite solar cells, pushing power conversion efficiency to a record 26.54 % and retaining 90 % of output after 1,000 hours of stress testing. The same report highlighted...
North-East Tech-Focused Switching Service Expansion Set to Create 20 Newcastle City Centre Jobs
North-East startup Procure Smart is opening a new office in Newcastle city centre in May 2026, creating about 20 sales jobs. The firm, founded in 2022, has grown to over 50 staff with locations in Sunderland, Manchester and a remote...
Strait of Hormuz Closure Creates Complexity for Global Energy Storage Markets
The US‑Israel war with Iran led Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz, choking the world’s primary oil conduit and pushing gasoline prices in the United States to about $4.06 per gallon. While the battery‑storage sector has not felt a...
The Solar Support Gap: Why Do Pro-Solar Citizens Reject Local Projects?
University of Rhode Island researchers examined why voters who support solar energy opposed a utility‑scale solar project in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. An exit‑poll revealed that 28.9% of pro‑solar respondents voted against the 2019 referendum, creating an individual support gap....
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger Signs Legislation Mandating 20.78GW of Energy Storage
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger signed HB 895 and SB 448, mandating 20.78 GW of energy‑storage capacity across the Commonwealth. Appalachian Power must deliver 780 MW of short‑duration and 520 MW of long‑duration storage by 2040‑2045, while Dominion Energy is tasked with 16 GW short‑duration and 3.48 GW...
Colombia Approves Guidelines for Integrating Energy Storage Into Electricity System
Colombia issued Decree 0393 to establish public‑policy guidelines for integrating energy‑storage systems (ESS) into both the National Interconnected System and isolated zones. The decree sets deployment criteria, market participation rules, and a remuneration framework, recognizing storage for frequency regulation, voltage...
Trafigura Signs $1bn Oil-Backed Financing Deal with Gabon to Boost Liquidity
Global commodities trader Trafigura has signed a $1 billion oil‑backed financing agreement with the Republic of Gabon, providing upfront liquidity in exchange for the country's profit‑oil over seven years. The deal makes Trafigura the exclusive buyer of Gabon's post‑cost crude, with...
AI Tech Collab Takes on SA’s Energy Distribution Crisis
South African energy tech firm Plentify and developer Balwin Properties have launched an AI‑driven geyser management system using HotBot devices to optimise residential water heating. The controllers, now deployed in over 7,500 homes, adjust heating based on occupancy patterns, solar...
PV Module Prices Continue to Rise Unabated
Photovoltaic module prices climbed for the fourth month in a row, rising 5.5% between March and April 2026, with all‑black modules posting the steepest gains. The increase occurs despite falling polysilicon costs and the removal of Chinese export tax credits,...
DRC Moves to Secure Fuel Supply From Dangote Refinery Amid Global Market Pressures
Democratic Republic of Congo is evaluating fuel imports from Nigeria’s Dangote refinery to diversify its petroleum supply and boost energy security. Deputy Prime Minister Daniel Mukoko met Aliko Dangote and United Bank for Africa officials to discuss direct supply agreements and financing...
Unlocking Wind Turbine Longevity with Smarter Lubrication
The wind power market is set to reach 3,207 GW of installed capacity by 2035, driving demand for more reliable turbine operation. Effective lubrication is critical, as drivetrain failures can quickly halt production, especially in offshore and remote sites. Mobil introduced...
A Hybrid Solid‐State Battery with a Panoramic‐Scale Stack of Bulk Electrodes and a Thin‐Film Electrolyte
Researchers have created a hybrid all‑solid‑state battery that combines a thin‑film electrolyte with a bulk anode and a thick cathode sheet. The sputtered Li6.4La3Zr1.4Ta0.6O12 film, 2.5 µm thick, achieves room‑temperature conductivity of 1.91 × 10⁻² mS cm⁻¹. The densified anode, pressed to 9 % porosity, pairs...
Transocean Lands Drillship Deal Worth $158m
Switzerland‑based offshore driller Transocean announced it has won a five‑well contract for its Deepwater Asgard drillship in the Eastern Mediterranean. The 390‑day campaign, slated to begin in Q4 2026, is valued at roughly $158 million in backlog, not counting mobilisation fees. The...
Rystad Says Energy Repair Costs From War Could Hit $58B
Rystad Energy says repair and restoration of Gulf energy infrastructure could total $58 billion, with oil and gas assets alone accounting for up to $50 billion and a median estimate of $46 billion. The analysis, updated after an initial $25 billion figure, highlights Iran...
Revisiting the Photoelectric Conversion Mechanism in Hydrothermally Deposited Sb2(S,Se)3 Solar Cells
Researchers have uncovered a new photoelectric conversion mechanism in hydrothermally deposited Sb2(S,Se)3 solar cells. Annealing drives selenium into the CdS buffer, forming a gradient‑bandgap Cd(S,Se) layer that, together with Sb2(S,Se)3, creates a V‑shaped mixed absorber. This structure separates electron‑hole pairs...
RWE to Provide 65% of Network Rail’s Non-Traction Electricity From Wind Farm
Network Rail has signed a corporate power purchase agreement with German energy firm RWE to source 65% of its non‑traction electricity from the 576 MW Gwynt y Môr offshore wind farm in Wales. The deal will deliver 300 GWh of renewable power annually for...
Kiwa PVEL Updates Module Testing Programme, Aims to Tackle Glass Breakage, Frame Failures and Hail Damage
Kiwa PVEL has revamped its Production Qualification Program to include test‑to‑failure protocols for static mechanical load and hail testing, aiming to identify the maximum stress solar modules can endure. The updated hail test now evaluates five modules per round, focusing on...
Supreme Court Rules Offshore Wind Farm Survey Costs Ineligible for Tax Relief
The UK Supreme Court ruled unanimously that environmental survey costs incurred by Ørsted for four offshore wind farms cannot be claimed as capital allowances. The decision means these expenses are ineligible for tax relief, raising the effective cost of development....
The ‘God Squad’ Just Voted to Allow Drilling Near 10 National Park Sites. Here’s Why That Puts Public Lands at...
On March 31 the Endangered Species Committee—often called the “God Squad”—voted to exempt oil and gas operations in the Gulf of Mexico from the Endangered Species Act, allowing drilling near ten national park sites. The decision bypassed mandatory public hearings and...
Solar Procurement Is Changing as Geopolitics ‘Redefines Risk’
Solar buyers in Europe are shifting procurement focus from pure cost to security, ESG compliance, and cyber‑risk mitigation, as highlighted at the SolarPLUS Europe conference in Milan. Geopolitical tensions—such as the Strait of Hormuz blockade and China’s polysilicon consolidation—are creating...
TaiLan New Energy Launches Embodied AI Solid-State Battery Solution, First Batch Delivered
TaiLan New Energy unveiled its "Safe+" solid‑state battery solution for embodied AI robots, delivering the first batch of packs to leading Chinese robotics firms for multi‑scenario testing. The hybrid solid‑liquid cells operate from –40°C to 80°C and sustain 1C discharge...
Nippon Express and Nikon Sign SAF Agreement
Japanese logistics firm Nippon Express and camera maker Nikon have renewed a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) agreement for air cargo shipments, marking the second consecutive year of collaboration. The deal leverages Nippon’s NX‑GREEN SAF program to issue CO₂‑reduction certificates for...
New 300 Home Development Becomes 'World's Largest' Zero Bills Neighbourhood
Octopus Energy has teamed with housebuilder Prosperity Group to create a 300‑home development in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, branded as the world’s largest Zero Bills neighbourhood. The scheme guarantees residents no electricity or gas charges for ten years, backed by integrated renewable generation...
Philippines Registers Solar Module Maker Targeting EU Export Market
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) has registered Genuine Renewable Energy and Eco‑Friendly Energy Network Corp. (GREEENC) as an ecozone enterprise to produce photovoltaic (PV) modules for export, primarily to the European Union. GREEENC will invest about PHP 370 million ($6.16 million) in...
This Long Beach Startup Says It Has a Patch for California's Power Problems
Long Beach‑based Critical Loop secured $26 million in new funding, bringing its total to $49 million, to accelerate deployment of battery‑and‑grid‑management systems that deliver power in days rather than years. The startup’s controller instantly switches between the public grid, on‑site batteries, solar...
Aussie Refinery Reduces Production After Fire
A significant fire at Viva Energy’s Geelong refinery in Victoria forced the plant, which processes 120,000 barrels per day, to operate at reduced rates, mainly affecting gasoline and aviation‑gasoline output. The refinery supplies over 50% of Victoria’s fuel and about...
Commission Approves Bulgarian, German and Slovenian State Aid Schemes Providing Temporary Electricity Price Relief for Energy-Intensive Companies
On 13 April 2026 the European Commission cleared state‑aid programmes in Bulgaria, Germany and Slovenia that subsidise electricity for energy‑intensive firms. The schemes total roughly $4.6 billion – €334 million ($364 m) for Bulgaria, €3.8 billion ($4.14 b) for Germany and €90 million ($98 m) for Slovenia – and...
Three Scenarios for Energy, Central Banks, Rates and FX Markets
ING outlines three energy‑price scenarios tied to the Middle East cease‑fire outlook. In a base case, Brent crude steadies at $90‑100 per barrel and the euro trades around 1.18‑1.20 by year‑end. A moderate disruption pushes Brent above $100 and lifts...
Energy Market Outlook Hinges on the Middle East
Oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz remain largely cut off, tightening the physical market and creating a $30‑per‑barrel premium for dated Brent over futures. About 13 million barrels per day are offline, prompting demand‑destruction measures in Asia and likely elsewhere....
North Star Bolsters Leadership Team to Support Offshore Wind Growth
North Star, the UK‑based shipowner and offshore wind service provider, has added three senior executives: Duncan Palmer as its first Chief Human Resources Officer, Joanna Lang as Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, and Kenneth Coughlan as Chief Technology Officer. The appointments are...
Zambia Secures $1.5bn Energy Investment to Expand Power Generation Capacity
Zambia has secured a US $1.5 billion investment from China Machinery Engineering Corporation to build a 900‑megawatt power mix of coal, solar and wind plants. The deal is part of a broader push to raise the nation’s installed capacity to 10 GW by...
Iran War Sparks 'Fundamental Energy Transition' In Seoul Toward Renewables: Energy Minister
South Korea’s energy minister says the Iran war is accelerating the country’s shift from oil to renewables. Seoul has pledged 100 GW of renewable capacity by 2030, up from the current 37 GW and a 9% share of electricity in 2025. The...
Oil Prices Holding Firm
Oil prices are stabilizing after a sharp pullback from war‑driven panic levels, with Brent sliding from a recent high of $111.80 to a 28‑day low of $90.40. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported a 0.9 million‑barrel draw in commercial crude inventories...
Plaid Cymru Says Renewables Plan Would Benefit Welsh Communities
Plaid Cymru unveiled a "renewable revolution" manifesto promising a National Energy Strategy, a Renewable Energy Sector Deal and a state‑owned energy company to boost community ownership of wind, tidal and other green assets. The plan aims to accelerate Wales toward...