US Senate hearing highlights Venezuela strategy: oil, China’s debt leverage, and sanctions — lessons relevant to India’s energy and geopolitical challenges.

The solar manufacturer Elite Solar is among the global stakeholders rushing to fill the demand for solar power in Egypt...and in the US, too.

The solar manufacturer Elite Solar is among the global stakeholders rushing to fill the demand for solar power in Egypt...and in the US, too.

The 2.6-gigawatt Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project can resume construction, handing yet another loss to US President Donald Trump.

The 810-megawatt Empire Wind offshore wind project in New York is on again, after a Trump-appointed judge paused a stop-work order.

Hydropower operators can save money on turbine repairs and maintenance, and add revenue by adding battery-type energy storage systems.

Copper underpins everything from energy grids to EVs and home wiring, yet U.S. copper policy remains fragmented. It needs a long-term, strategic approach to close a growing supply and demand gap.

The US Energy Secretary has issued a directive aimed at expanding federal authority over large load interconnections, including data centers, which would have the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) assert jurisdiction over such connections. The proposal has sparked mixed reactions from utilities, states, and industry stakeholders, with some expressing concerns about infringing on state authority, while others welcomed the clarity and certainty it brings to the industry, citing inconsistencies in the current framework that lead to delays and inefficiencies.

The Trump administration's recent policy changes have effectively halted offshore wind initiatives in New England, including the construction halt of the Revolution Wind project off Rhode Island's coast and the removal of designated areas for wind energy development in the Gulf of Maine. Industry analysts warn that these developments could significantly slow the advancement of offshore wind power in the region, potentially delaying progress by up to a decade, as the demand for renewable energy is expected to rise significantly in the next decade. In response, neighboring Nova Scotia is seizing on this opportunity, with its Wind West initiative aiming to develop over 60 gigawatts of offshore wind potential to supply power to urban centers across Canada and potentially the northeastern United States.

The US Department of Energy has taken steps to ensure continued operation of Units 3 and 4 at the Eddystone Generating Station, issuing an emergency order to maintain their availability through November 15, 2024, in response to potential energy deficits in the Mid-Atlantic region. This move is part of a broader effort to strengthen regional energy reliability while navigating the transition towards renewable energy sources, highlighting the complexities and challenges of balancing power supply with environmental considerations.

The Danish offshore wind developer Ørsted is suing to lift the stop-work order against its 704-megawatt Revolution Wind project.

Investors have spotted green gold on the distributed generation (DERs) side of the clean energy movement, regardless of partisan politics.

The Trump administration has enacted a series of measures that effectively halt the development and construction of key offshore wind energy projects in the United States…

Despite the abrupt shift in federal energy policy this year the US fleet electrification movement continues apace.

The US wind industry is on life support for the time being, but some stakeholders have spotted opportunities to stay afloat.

US President Donald Trump doesn't seek to throttle back on all forms of renewable energy development in the US, just wind and solar...why?

A new attempt to quash the on-again, off-again Grain Belt Express wind energy transmission project has failed to hit the mark.

The US startup Quaise Energy is introducing a powerful gyrotron to the geothermal field, which ablates through solid rock like a Horta.

The massive, 2-gigawatt Maryland Offshore Wind project is still alive and kicking, though new pitfalls have arisen.

Recent claims suggesting that the rapid adoption of renewable energy sources like solar and wind has led to instability and increased costs in the US electricity system are being challenged by data from Texas. Former President Trump's stance, advocating for an end to renewable energy subsidies, is at odds with the performance of the Texas grid, which has integrated significant renewable energy capacity while maintaining reliability and competitive pricing. Texas, managed by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), currently predicts only a 0.30% chance of rolling blackouts during peak demand this August – a dramatic improvement from the 12% predicted just a few years ago. Furthermore, electricity prices for Texas consumers are approximately 10 cents per kilowatt-hour, significantly lower than the national average, according to the US Energy Information Administration. Joshua Rhodes, a research scientist at the University of Texas at Austin, highlights ERCOT’s success in defining the necessary products for energy reliability, suggesting it could serve as a model for other grids aiming for affordability. The state’s experience directly contradicts the arguments underpinning recent legislation intended to curtail renewable energy subsidies. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright has voiced support for these cuts, framing them as a way to eliminate “wasteful subsidies” and improve energy reliability. Trump has consistently characterized renewable energy as unreliable, expensive, and dependent on foreign supply chains, citing intermittency as a major drawback. While the Texas grid has faced past failures – notably a 2021 event where frozen natural gas infrastructure disrupted supplies to power plants – these were not solely attributable to renewable energy sources. Texas has proactively addressed these challenges by investing in large-scale battery storage facilities, which help to stabilize the grid by releasing stored energy when needed. ERCOT has added nearly 5 gigawatts of battery storage in recent years, with a further 174 gigawatts planned for connection over the next five years. The experiences of other regions illustrate a more complex picture. The PJM Interconnection, a grid heavily reliant on fossil fuels, is experiencing soaring electricity prices and declining reliability. In Ohio, a key market within PJM, electricity prices are projected to rise by more than 20% this year. A US Department of Energy report suggests potential shortfalls in electricity production to meet demand, a situation significantly less concerning in Texas. Garrett Golding of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas suggests that the combination of solar power and battery storage has proven beneficial for the Texas grid and offers a potentially replicable model for states with similar climates. Critics, like Frank Rambo of Horizon Climate Initiative, express concern that Trump’s policies will destabilize years of planning focused on integrating renewable energy sources.

Two US-based legacy automotive firms with a long history in the propulsion field are pursuing the global electric vehicle movement.

A recent analysis suggests that only two entities are celebrating the passage of H.R. 1: Republicans and the Chinese Communist Party. New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman argues that the new law significantly harms the American renewable energy sector, potentially granting China a dominant position in the industry for years to come. A core element of H.R. 1 involves the removal of substantial subsidies and tax incentives for solar, battery, and wind energy, coinciding with China’s own efforts to integrate more renewable sources into its energy grid. The move reportedly has prompted Chinese President Xi Jinping to view July 4th as “American Electricity DependenceDay.” Friedman highlights that China is remarkably fortunate to see the U.S. dismantle its renewable energy infrastructure at a time when artificial intelligence is dramatically increasing electricity demand. The law’s decision to label renewables as "liberal" energy sources is viewed as shortsighted, especially considering their current cost-effectiveness and ability to meet expanding power needs. Even nations historically reliant on oil, such as Saudi Arabia (powering AI centers with solar energy) and Texas (adding significant solar-powered capacity with battery storage), are increasingly adopting renewable resources. According to a study by Energy Innovation, H.R. 1 is projected to increase wholesale electric power prices by approximately 50% by 2035 and result in over $16 billion in additional annual consumer energy costs by 2030. The legislation is also anticipated to eliminate an estimated 830,000 renewable energy jobs by the end of the decade. Friedman concluded that the bill represents an abandonment of America’s energy future to Beijing.

The amendment would still require other solar and wind energy projects to be placed in service by the end of 2027.