Press Publish with Noelle Acheson and Irina Slav
In this episode of Press Publish, host Noelle Acheson chats with energy analyst and Substack writer Irina Slav about her journey from freelance journalism to creating the popular OnEnergy newsletter. Irina explains how writing helps her learn, why she shifted to a more irreverent, authentic voice, and how that authenticity drove rapid audience growth, especially after a Bloomberg recommendation. She also shares personal coping strategies—gardening, walking her dog, and knitting—to manage the overwhelm of covering a volatile energy sector, and offers candid thoughts on the role of social media and Substack’s strengths and limitations for independent writers.
A Freezer Full of Chicken
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde warned that persistent disruptions in fertilizer and other agricultural inputs could eventually shift food market dynamics from price spikes to outright rationing. Her remarks referenced supply shocks from the Middle East conflict and highlighted...
Gas Confusion
The anticipated plunge in LNG prices as U.S. exporters rushed to capture Asian demand has not materialized, and the expected surge of LNG as Asia’s primary fuel is also lagging. Despite a wave of new U.S. export terminals adding capacity,...
Headlines: April 2026
April 2026 saw a wave of European and UK energy policy moves aimed at taming soaring power costs and integrating more renewables. Britain will pay households and factories to shift electricity use to off‑peak periods, while the EU plans tax...
Europe Wants Canadian LNG
European energy purchasers are negotiating to import liquefied natural gas from Canada, routing shipments through the Panama Canal. The discussions center on a Canadian LNG export terminal that has yet to be built, signaling a shift toward diversifying supply away...
Brits to Get Paid to Use Electricity
British households and factories will receive payments to increase electricity consumption during periods of excess renewable generation, a move aimed at soaking up surplus power and easing grid strain. The scheme introduces market‑based demand flexibility, helping to curb curtailment of...
A Devastating Loss
Oil markets have entered a period of extreme volatility, with prices swinging wildly after a Trump post on TruthSocial and rapid analyst revisions. Commodity traders have incurred billions in losses, while investment banks profit from heightened trading volumes. The chaos...
Sub-Zero
Germany’s power market plunged into deep negative pricing on Monday as unusually strong wind and solar output covered roughly 80% of the nation’s electricity demand. Intraday prices fell to -€324 per megawatt‑hour (about $353) and imbalance fees dropped to -€4,632/MWh...
An Awkward Tax Issue
Windfall profit taxes are being proposed as governments seek to capture excess earnings from oil and gas firms amid soaring energy prices. Critics argue these levies ignore the cyclical nature of the sector, offering no relief when prices fall and...
All Hail the King
Bulgaria’s thermal power stations, fueled by locally mined coal, generate roughly 26% of the nation’s electricity, while the sole nuclear plant provides 38%. The Mini Maritsa Iztok mine supplies 90% of the country’s coal and holds enough reserves for another...
Blue Flame Bad
A recent study by PSE Health Energy found that gas stoves in the UK, France and Germany can leak benzene, a known carcinogen, at levels that raise health concerns. The research highlights a potential indoor air quality issue across European...
Whole System Thinking
DNV’s latest Energy Transition Outlook warns the United Kingdom is missing a whole‑system approach to decarbonisation. The senior VP highlighted that fragmented policies across electricity, transport and industry risk derailing the 2050 net‑zero target. Without integrating socio‑economic, biodiversity and financing...
Wind, Solar Stabilise Europe Power Prices
European electricity markets are showing price resilience as wind and solar capacity expands. In Germany and France, power prices fell last week even as oil prices surged, contrasting with earlier spikes driven by natural‑gas volatility. Continued renewable investment is dampening...
Foul-Smelling Supply Chains
Australian researchers have uncovered a previously unknown sulfur‑sulfur rearrangement reaction that proceeds with minimal external input. The finding highlights the versatility of disulfide bonds, which can break and reform in response to diverse stimuli, opening new pathways for peptide, polymer...
EU Considers Gas Price Cap to Reduce Bills
The European Commission is evaluating a gas‑price cap to dilute gas’s influence on electricity pricing across the bloc, as announced by President Ursula von der Leyen. The measure is intended to curb soaring power bills for households and industry. Critics...