Technology giants are partnering with geothermal start-ups as they seek to power their energy-intensive data centers with clean but reliable power sources. Several deals have been struck over the past year as Big Tech is looking to boast low-emission profiles of its energy use. The other 24/7 low-carbon energy comes …
Read More »EU-Sanctioned Russian Oil still Hits Markets via Bulgaria
Even though the EU sanctions Russian oil, Bulgaria still allows crude to be processed at the Lukoil Burgas refinery. An investigation by Ukrainian journalist Mykhailo Tkach, working for the Ukrainska Pravda, shows that Lukoil’s Bulgarian Burgas refinery is still processing Russian crude. The volumes are being transported by Russia’s shadow …
Read More »U.S. Solar Power Soared in 2024
The U.S. has experienced record solar growth in recent years, supported by the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and greater access to green funding. The Solar Energies Industry Association (SEIA) has recorded record levels of added solar capacity over the last year, as more solar projects were added to …
Read More »Oil Prices Steady as Markets Weigh Fed Rate Cut Expectations, Chinese Demand
Oil prices settled little changed on Friday as markets weighed Chinese demand and interest rate-cut expectations after data showed cooling US inflation. Brent crude futures closed up 6 cents, or 0.08%, at $72.94 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 8 cents, or 0.12%, at $69.46 per barrel. …
Read More »Romanian Steel Industry Feels the Pinch of Economic Slowdown
Difficult market conditions have prompted Romanian steel industry leader ArcelorMittal Hunedoara to reduce production until year’s end. According to a notice provided to the Bucharest Stock Exchange, the longs producer’s board of directors decided to reduce production from December 9-31 and pay 75% of salaries to employees impacted by the …
Read More »Europe’s Green Energy Transition Faces Unexpected Hurdles
Energy prices across Europe fell below zero for a record number of hours in 2024. An accelerated buildout of large-scale wind and solar farms has flooded European grids at peak production hours, causing surplus energy to be sold at a loss at increasingly frequent increments, for a grand total of …
Read More »EU Ready to Discuss Closer Energy Ties with US under Trump
The European Union is prepared to discuss with U.S. President-elect Trump boosting economic ties, including in the energy sector, an EU spokesperson told Reuters on Friday, hours after Trump threatened to impose “tariffs all the way” on the bloc if it doesn’t buy large volumes of American oil and gas. …
Read More »Renewables Growth won’t Go away under Trump
The rise of data centers and their quest for renewable energy to power AI technology will boost the growth of renewables even under President Donald Trump, the Americas head of Japan’s biggest bank, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, told Reuters. “The new administration will be more constructive on fossil fuels, but …
Read More »Kazakhstan’s Desertification Crisis
The UN climate conference, COP29, held in Baku in November garnered plenty of global attention. But another, lower-profile UN-sponsored COP, shorthand for conference of parties, convened earlier in December in Saudi Arabia. That COP tackled another global warming-related challenge – the spread of desertification. Barron Joseph Orr, the lead scientist …
Read More »Hurricane Fury in 2024 Slows US Gulf Energy Production
The 2024 hurricane season was relentless, and it took U.S. energy infrastructure along for the ride. Above-average storm activity—18 named storms, five of which were major hurricanes—created disruptions in electricity markets and oil and gas production in the Gulf of Mexico. Hurricanes Helene and Milton, both Category 3 storms, were …
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