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Canada to Export LNG to Germany, Bolstering Europe’s Energy Security
16 hours ago•Source: Bloomberg.com
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US to repurpose surplus plutonium as fuel for advanced reactors
The U.S. Department of Energy named five companies, including Oklo, to explore turning about 20 metric tonnes of surplus Cold War plutonium into fuel for advanced nuclear reactors, with Oklo planning a collaboration with Newcleo and other participants including Exodys Energy, SHINE Technologies, Standard Nuclear, and Flibe Energy. The move, intended to use weapons-usable material as bridge fuel and attract private funding while ensuring safety, has drawn proliferation concerns and political debate over its economics and defense implications.
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Oil slides as US-Iran talks boost Hormuz hopes
Yahoo Finance•1 day ago
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Oil cools near $100 as Iran peace hopes lift markets
The Guardian•1 day ago
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Gelatin-Salt MEG Turns Humidity into Stable Power
Researchers have created a biodegradable Moisture-Electric Generator (MEG) from gelatin, table salt, and activated carbon that harvests energy from ambient humidity. A single unit delivers about 1 volt for over 30 days, and linking units in series can reach up to 90 V and 5 mA to power a 40-LED string, enabling applications in wearable health sensors. The device uses a water-based manufacturing process, relies on non-toxic materials, and biodegrades safely after use, offering a low-impact alternative to conventional batteries.
Oil slides on peace-talk optimism but Hormuz risk lingers
Oil prices slipped to a two-week low as investors priced in progress toward a U.S.–Iran peace deal, with Brent around $98.90 a barrel and WTI about $92, while blockades in the Strait of Hormuz continue to constrain supply. Trump said there’s no rush into a deal, suggesting near-term relief may be limited, and analysts say it could take months for flows to normalize even if a deal advances.
Data Centers Hit 6% of US Power, Sparking Backlash and Policy Debate
A new IDCA report finds data centers now use about 6% of US electricity (67.7 GW globally, 29.2 GW in the US), fueling regulatory pushback, water-use concerns, and debate over the AI boom as smaller centers and ‘zombie’ workloads push demand and policymakers call for transparency.
Four drivers kept the energy crisis from exploding — for now
The Conversation AU reports that despite warnings of the worst energy crisis from the US–Iran conflict, four factors kept shocks at bay: markets subdued by expectations the war would end soon, other producers boosting exports, demand falling as prices rose, and large stockpile releases filling the gap. However, supplies remain tight, stockpiles are near multi‑year lows, and if the conflict drags on, a true global energy crunch could return—especially as the US heads into peak driving season.
Oil Pressure Persists as Hormuz Disruptions Deepen Energy Crisis
Global oil markets stay under stress from Hormuz disruptions, weak data, and tightening inventories, with Brent around $105 and the IEA warning of a red zone by mid-summer. The largest US inventory drawdown sparked only a muted rally as diplomacy chatter with Iran continues, while OPEC+ is expected to hike July quotas despite a steep drop in Gulf output. Europe faces bunkering quality issues, Egypt’s gas production collapses, and China raises fuel-price caps, even as LNG projects move forward and major energy deals unfold, underscoring ongoing volatility amid a deepening energy crisis.
Barclays Sees Upside Risk to 2026 Oil Call as Hormuz Disruption Tightens Markets
Barclays kept its $100 Brent forecast for 2026 but warned that upside risks remain as the Strait of Hormuz disruption drains U.S. and global inventories to multi‑year lows. Goldman Sachs has also flagged rapid depletion, and crude prices climbed in early trading, with Brent around $105 and WTI near $98 as markets price in a sustained supply shock.
Texas wind projects hit by national-security review slowdown
The U.S. Defense Department has paused routine federal permits for 54 Texas wind projects amid national-security reviews, part of a nationwide backlog that currently affects about 165 onshore wind developments. The interagency process, involving the FAA and DoD, has slowed to a crawl, delaying financing, local permitting, and construction while officials say reviews are necessary to prevent interference with military operations; critics argue the hold is slowing renewable energy during an affordability crisis.
Trump Rules Freeze Chinese Investments in U.S. Solar Projects
Rhodium Group estimates Chinese firms abandoned about $2.8 billion in planned U.S. clean-energy projects since 2022 as Trump-era FEOC rules tighten on Chinese ownership; major players like JinkoSolar, Trina Solar, and JA Solar have sold stakes in U.S. facilities, slowing deployment and raising power costs, per Reuters. The report notes China’s domestic solar capacity is expanding rapidly, with hundreds of gigawatts under construction and more announced, signaling a continued push to lead in clean-energy manufacturing despite the pullback in America.
Xi-Trump Rift Deepens Hormuz Crisis
Beijing and Washington failed to produce a framework to stabilize Iran or reopen the Strait of Hormuz, revealing deep U.S.–China divisions and leaving Hormuz structurally vulnerable to disruption, which threatens global shipping and energy markets without a multinational maritime-security framework.
AI Data Centers Trigger 76% Jump in Eastern U.S. Power Prices
A Monitoring Analytics report finds PJM wholesale power prices rose about 76% in early 2026 due to AI data-center load, averaging $136.53/MWh vs. $77.78/MWh; with demand outstripping capacity, prices and transmission costs are expected to stay high through 2028, and the fuel mix shifted toward oil and natural gas while coal and wind declined.