Energy Social Media and Updates

Fortescue's Repeating Solar Tracker Model Boosts Pilbara Innovation
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Fortescue's Repeating Solar Tracker Model Boosts Pilbara Innovation

“Tracker, panel, rinse, repeat:” How Fortescue is driving solar innovation in the Pilbara #energysky -- via Renew Economy: https://t.co/t0Jovxaw7c https://t.co/NwSYabiAHC

By Tor “SolarFred” Valenza
Quinbrook Activates 619 MWh Supernode BESS in Queensland
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Quinbrook Activates 619 MWh Supernode BESS in Queensland

Quinbrook powers up 619MWh Supernode Stage One BESS in Queensland, Australia #energysky -- via Energy Storage News: https://t.co/ImIlFzLmCY

By Tor “SolarFred” Valenza
India Navy Seizes Shadow Fleet, Triggering Domino Effect
SocialFeb 18, 2026

India Navy Seizes Shadow Fleet, Triggering Domino Effect

India's navy has begun seizing shadow fleet tankers in its exclusive economic zone. As I've said in other videos covering the shadow fleet, once the first domino falls...the rest will quickly follow. #crudeoil #crude #india #geopolitics https://t.co/IVVPGp8cQ7

By Peter Zeihan
Farmland Protection Concerns Stall Renewable Energy Projects
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Farmland Protection Concerns Stall Renewable Energy Projects

Fear of farmland loss slows solar and wind development #energysky -- via Canary Media: https://t.co/wVWoSEYkxG

By Tor “SolarFred” Valenza
Solar Needs High‑resolution Data to Curb Weather‑related Curtailments
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Solar Needs High‑resolution Data to Curb Weather‑related Curtailments

Solar needs ‘high-resolution data’ to manage weather and grid curtailments, says expert #energysky -- via pv-tech: https://t.co/WT0iWKJmc7

By Tor “SolarFred” Valenza
Solar and Wind Capacity Is an Illusion, Storm Proves
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Solar and Wind Capacity Is an Illusion, Storm Proves

For solar and wind, “capacity” is the maximum potential electricity it can generate when there are perfect weather conditions. Storm Fern showed how in real-world conditions, solar and wind’s “capacity” is an illusion.

By Alex Epstein
Brazil Finalizes Battery Auction Rules, 20 GW Ready
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Brazil Finalizes Battery Auction Rules, 20 GW Ready

Brazil reserve battery auction rules near finalization with 20 GW lined up #energysky -- via pv magazine global: https://t.co/tJ8et2sYH3

By Tor “SolarFred” Valenza
Chris Wright Threatens to Quit Global Energy Watchdog
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Chris Wright Threatens to Quit Global Energy Watchdog

Chris Wright Threatens to Withdraw from Global Energy Watchdog #energysky -- via Heatmap News https://t.co/8MEj9rfplc https://t.co/TYy0FLuuf8

By Tor “SolarFred” Valenza
Philippines Launches World's Largest Solar‑battery Hybrid Plant
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Philippines Launches World's Largest Solar‑battery Hybrid Plant

World’s largest solar-battery hybrid project powers up in the Philippines #energysky -- via Renew Economy: https://t.co/ApvTRwFUhX https://t.co/LFEa9eVMSQ

By Tor “SolarFred” Valenza
IEA Shifts Priorities to Security, Clean Energy, Affordability
SocialFeb 18, 2026

IEA Shifts Priorities to Security, Clean Energy, Affordability

IEA executive director Fatih Birol proposes focusing the agency's work in three areas during the next few years: 1) energy security -- "first and foremost" mission 2) new energy uptake (wind, solar, geothermal, nuclear) 3) afordability of energy "IEA 3.0" may well be...

By Javier Blas
Large Battery Begins Commercial Run Beside Unreliable Queensland Coal Plant
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Large Battery Begins Commercial Run Beside Unreliable Queensland Coal Plant

New big battery kicks off commercial operations next to outage-prone Queensland coal plant #energysky -- via Renew Economy: https://t.co/Boj0IYDx6P https://t.co/8NeEaPuvqv

By Tor “SolarFred” Valenza
Italy Cuts Carbon Charge on Electricity, Rattles Markets
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Italy Cuts Carbon Charge on Electricity, Rattles Markets

Italy’s plan to strip carbon cost from power bills jolts markets https://t.co/RZ9Dw7uUKq via @E_Krukowska @Al_Brambilla https://t.co/aVgbxP1Rxm

By Zöe Schneeweiss
Oil's High Risk Premium Clashes With Market Near-Highs
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Oil's High Risk Premium Clashes With Market Near-Highs

Oil has a big risk premium in it in terms of vol and skew. Meanwhile SPUs, IWM, VXUS all near ATHs Feels like a tense contradiction. https://t.co/6lmCdFZUnm

By Kris Abdelmessih
Markets Mirror Trump’s Shifting Policy Narratives
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Markets Mirror Trump’s Shifting Policy Narratives

You just have to respect markets and the games they play Trump first term: Public is all about long Energy, short Solar.... Solar stocks go on an epic run Trump 2nd term: Tariffs going to crush International economies.... International stocks just thrashing...

By Joe Kunkle
IEA Ministerial Unites 50 Nations on Energy Security
SocialFeb 18, 2026

IEA Ministerial Unites 50 Nations on Energy Security

Delighted to bring together over 50 countries at the #IEAMinisterial in Paris to discuss major issues of energy security, access, affordability & sustainability Thank you to the Ministers for the rich discussions, confirming the IEA is at the heart of the...

By Fatih Birol
Chevron Boosts Permian Output 67% with Fewer Rigs
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Chevron Boosts Permian Output 67% with Fewer Rigs

"Chevron in 2019 ran 21 rigs and five frack crews in the Permian. This year it anticipates it will need only six rigs and two frack crews to produce about 67% more oil-and-gas in the region than seven years ago."...

By Scott Lincicome
Data Isn't Worthless; Misinterpretations Are
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Data Isn't Worthless; Misinterpretations Are

I strongly disagree with your statement that "the IEA is a worthless source of any data" @carldean1960 How can data be worthless? Interpretations of data & using data to push agendas can be worthless but not the data itself

By Art Berman Blog
IEA Backs Ukraine’s Energy Resilience Amid Infrastructure Attacks
SocialFeb 18, 2026

IEA Backs Ukraine’s Energy Resilience Amid Infrastructure Attacks

Important exchange with Ukraine's First Deputy Prime Minister @Denys_Shmyhal We discussed 🇺🇦's efforts to ensure energy security this heating season and beyond – amid ongoing attacks on critical infrastructure @IEA will continue to closely support 🇺🇦's energy sector resilience https://t.co/tQQpcbUtpO

By Fatih Birol
Dow Shuffle: Exxon's Rise, Salesforce's Decline
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Dow Shuffle: Exxon's Rise, Salesforce's Decline

One August 31, 2020, Exxon Mobil was kicked out of the Dow. It was replaced by Salesforce. Exxon is up 271% and Salesforce is down 32%. https://t.co/euMlopjZdV

By Ryan Detrick
Markets Replace Climate Ambition, Accepting Risk for Profit
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Markets Replace Climate Ambition, Accepting Risk for Profit

The podcast’s takeaway is that climate policy is becoming “pragmatic” & markets will take over from climate ambition But markets helped create the problem, and ambition never cut emissions. Calling this realism is just accepting catastrophic risk for profit @RystadEnergy #ClimateReality...

By Art Berman Blog
Critical Minerals and Energy Drive Global Economic Competitiveness
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Critical Minerals and Energy Drive Global Economic Competitiveness

Very good meeting with 🇺🇸 US Assistant Secretary of State for Economic, Energy & Business Affairs @CalebOrr__ We discussed developments in global energy markets, the importance of critical minerals for energy & economic security and energy’s role in boosting competitiveness https://t.co/Z4YDq3jEJG

By Fatih Birol
IEA’s Net‑Zero Work Supports Energy Security and Stability
SocialFeb 18, 2026

IEA’s Net‑Zero Work Supports Energy Security and Stability

Net zero & climate analysis are fully compatible with the IEA’s mission of promoting energy security, economic stability & cooperation among member states @AzizSapphire @SecretaryWright is right that IEA went too far but wrong saying that net zero was all it...

By Art Berman Blog
Austria to Host 2027 IEA Energy Innovation Forum
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Austria to Host 2027 IEA Energy Innovation Forum

Pleased to meet with Austrian State Secretary for Energy Elisabeth Zehetner at the #IEAMinisterial I thanked the State Secretary for Austria’s offer to host the 2027 IEA Energy Innovation Forum – we look forward to working together to build on the...

By Fatih Birol
Rig Counts Mislead; Production Trends Need Context
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Rig Counts Mislead; Production Trends Need Context

Rig counts are a weak, context-dependent signal of future production @chigrl Fewer rigs in Russia don’t mean much after a decade of fracking conventional fields. Apply the same logic to the US and you’d wrongly conclude sanctions killed output here. #OilMarkets...

By Art Berman Blog
Thoughtful Electricity Growth Talk Leaves Key Questions Unanswered
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Thoughtful Electricity Growth Talk Leaves Key Questions Unanswered

Good to see my friends have a thoughtful conversation on how we meet our electricity growth needs. I think the talking points were a bit thick and many questions remained unanswered.

By Jigar Shah
Singapore and IEA Pledge Deeper Cooperation on ASEAN Power Grid
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Singapore and IEA Pledge Deeper Cooperation on ASEAN Power Grid

Excellent meeting with Singapore's Minister Tan See Leng at the #IEAMinisterial on Southeast Asia's growing role in global energy markets @IEA & 🇸🇬 will continue cooperating closely to support the delivery of the ASEAN Power Grid Vision and other key priorities...

By Fatih Birol
U.S. Solar Power Hits Record 304 TWh, Ten‑Fold Growth
SocialFeb 18, 2026

U.S. Solar Power Hits Record 304 TWh, Ten‑Fold Growth

U.S. SOLAR GENERATION increased to a record 304 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) or 304 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2024. Solar generation had increased ten-fold over the previous ten years from 29 billion kWh in 2014. Data prepared by the U.S. Energy Information...

By John Kemp
US Energy Chief Declares Net‑Zero 2050 Impossible
SocialFeb 18, 2026

US Energy Chief Declares Net‑Zero 2050 Impossible

Net-zero by 2050 has “zero point zero chance of happening,” says US Energy Secretary Chris Wright ahead of the biennial IEA ministerial meeting in Paris. (This ministerial meeting will mark a turning point in global energy policy making across industrialised...

By Javier Blas
Fossil Fuels Waste Two-Thirds of Energy; Clean Tech Thrives
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Fossil Fuels Waste Two-Thirds of Energy; Clean Tech Thrives

The remarkable inefficiency - and destructiveness - of the fossil fuel energy system: two-thirds of all primary energy inputs are wasted, and do not convert into useful energy >When petrol powers a car, three-quarters of the energy is wasted as heat...

By Assaad Razzouk
Ethiopia’s Car Import Ban Drives EV Surge
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Ethiopia’s Car Import Ban Drives EV Surge

Two years ago, Ethiopia did something no other rich country has yet. It banned the import of new fossil fuel cars. In that time, the country went from less than 1% of its vehicles being electric to more than 6%...

By Akshat Rathi
Varta Launches AI-Powered Residential Battery System
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Varta Launches AI-Powered Residential Battery System

Varta unveils residential battery with AI-driven energy management #energysky -- via pv magazine global: https://t.co/wUB2FFX3Ky

By Tor “SolarFred” Valenza
Caterpillar VC Funds ElevenEs' 1GWh LFP Factory in Serbia
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Caterpillar VC Funds ElevenEs' 1GWh LFP Factory in Serbia

Caterpillar VC backs startup ElevenEs as it builds 1GWh LFP cell factory in Serbia #energysky -- via Energy Storage News: https://t.co/lb6SNWjg1K

By Tor “SolarFred” Valenza
Subsidized Renewables Force Nuclear Cycling, Raising Costs
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Subsidized Renewables Force Nuclear Cycling, Raising Costs

More bad news for renewables Flooding a low-growth power system with subsidized wind & solar forces nuclear plants to cycle, not run steady. That raises wear, maintenance costs & financial stress, undermining the economics of existing reactors & making new nuclear harder...

By Art Berman Blog
Energy Vault Locks 1.5 GWh Sodium‑ion Supply for AI
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Energy Vault Locks 1.5 GWh Sodium‑ion Supply for AI

Energy Vault secures 1.5 GWh sodium-ion supply for AI #energysky -- via pv magazine global: https://t.co/GWREdYVRjt https://t.co/vzy2INY2hB

By Tor “SolarFred” Valenza
Ohio Gas Plant Price Tag Hits $33 Billion
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Ohio Gas Plant Price Tag Hits $33 Billion

A gas-fired power plant in Ohio costing $33 billion? I need help here >>> any details?

By Anas Alhajji
KNESS, Hithium Secure
SocialFeb 18, 2026

KNESS, Hithium Secure

KNESS and Hithium enter 2GWh Ukraine partnership, c.700MWh progressed elsewhere in Finland, Estonia and Southeast Europe #energysky -- via Energy Storage News: https://t.co/tD2KIJSygn

By Tor “SolarFred” Valenza
Iran Opts for Limited Concessions, Postpones Real Deal Until Post‑midterms
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Iran Opts for Limited Concessions, Postpones Real Deal Until Post‑midterms

Tehran will trade limited, face-saving concessions because it thinks it can survive bombs better than it can survive a domestic revolt. There will be a “bridge deal” that kicks the can. The real deal comes after US mid-term elections.' https://t.co/8UhDWkB5al #Iran #Israel #US #MiddleEast...

By Art Berman Blog
New ROI Models Challenge Traditional Solar Efficiency Assumptions
SocialFeb 18, 2026

New ROI Models Challenge Traditional Solar Efficiency Assumptions

Rethinking solar and storage ROI: Beyond old efficiency assumptions #energysky -- via pv magazine usa: https://t.co/Q0dEuzcdle https://t.co/H10BfEMpva

By Tor “SolarFred” Valenza
U.S. Oil Production Holds Steady Despite Falling Prices
SocialFeb 18, 2026

U.S. Oil Production Holds Steady Despite Falling Prices

U.S. OIL PRODUCTION has defied expectations for a rapid and significant slowdown in response to lower prices: https://t.co/fMfoyip69Z

By John Kemp
Diversity Redefines Energy Storage Industry Expectations
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Diversity Redefines Energy Storage Industry Expectations

‘Greater diversity reshapes expectations’: Women in Energy Storage Network on strengthening and empowering an inclusive industry #energysky -- via Energy Storage News: https://t.co/eoP6Ctpo42

By Tor “SolarFred” Valenza
Data Centers Misjudge Training Vs. Inference Power Needs
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Data Centers Misjudge Training Vs. Inference Power Needs

The dumbest thing is that the data center companies are combining the need for training and inference and assuming that all it needs to be in 1,000MW increments. They don't. Here are some estimates...

By Jigar Shah
Japan Commits $36B to U.S. Energy, Led by SoftBank
SocialFeb 18, 2026

Japan Commits $36B to U.S. Energy, Led by SoftBank

Japan plans to invest $36 billion in US oil, gas and critical mineral projects 🇯🇵 🤝 🇺🇸 The most significant piece is a 9.2GW gas-fired power plant in Ohio. The investment will be led by SoftBank https://t.co/5io8koo0jd

By Stephen Stapczynski
Include Land Preservation Costs in Agrivoltaics LCOE
SocialFeb 17, 2026

Include Land Preservation Costs in Agrivoltaics LCOE

Scientists say land-preservation costs should be factored into agrivoltaics’ LCOE calculations #energysky -- via pv magazine global: https://t.co/jjFYEDWdIc https://t.co/bRlOQUhcvn

By Tor “SolarFred” Valenza
BHP Gains From Energy Transition, Decarbonisation Remains Low
SocialFeb 17, 2026

BHP Gains From Energy Transition, Decarbonisation Remains Low

Energy transition delivers fresh growth for BHP, but decarbonisation stays on the back-burner #energysky -- via Renew Economy: https://t.co/o3W8hMqdy5 https://t.co/QgGiAOULsE

By Tor “SolarFred” Valenza
Google Secures 150 MW Geothermal Power via Nevada Clean Tariff
SocialFeb 17, 2026

Google Secures 150 MW Geothermal Power via Nevada Clean Tariff

Google signs 150 MW deal via NV Energy Clean Transition Tariff for a portfolio of new geothermal projects to be developed by Ormat https://t.co/7hsKR2PAsk #BYONCE (bring your own new clean electricity)

By Jesse D. Jenkins
Canada’s Electrification Lag Threatens Future Competitiveness
SocialFeb 17, 2026

Canada’s Electrification Lag Threatens Future Competitiveness

Canada Lags in Electrifying Economy. Competitiveness Problem Looming? Rachel Doran @cleanenergycan discusses electrification, efficiency, and improving affordability for Canadians. #cdnpoli https://youtu.be/IThgTJPe8kM

By Markham Hislop
Rising Demand Meets Intermittent Solar, Threatening Power Reliability
SocialFeb 17, 2026

Rising Demand Meets Intermittent Solar, Threatening Power Reliability

US electricity demand is rising quickly—and it can only be met with 24/7 reliable power. And yet most of the added electricity "capacity" in 2025 came from intermittent solar. If this continues, electricity prices will continue to rise due to reliable power...

By Alex Epstein
Dar
SocialFeb 17, 2026

Dar

This is consistent with all the chatter about the RVOs lately. Darling Ingredients CEO last week gave a range for BBD RVO of 5.25 - 5.6 billion physical gallons. Appears that half-RIN is dead and the compromise...

By Scott Irwin
Hybrid3D Prints Custom-Shaped Batteries for Drones, Smart Glasses
SocialFeb 17, 2026

Hybrid3D Prints Custom-Shaped Batteries for Drones, Smart Glasses

The Hybrid3D can 3D print batteries that can fill irregular shapes, like the wing of a drone or the arm of smart glasses. https://spectrum.ieee.org/3d-printed-batteries

By IEEE Spectrum Threads