Author: Graham Foster

Nuclear fusion has challenged scientists for years as they seek a way to produce unlimited energy. The path to this goal is not just about scientific research; it involves complex business maneuvers as well. Recently, President Donald Trump’s family business has plans to buy TAE Technologies, sparking curiosity among investors. Determining the value of Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG) after this merger will be a journey into uncharted territory. This company, which operates a modest advertising business and holds bitcoin, has not attracted much interest from analysts. In fact, companies with a similar market value—between $3 billion and $5…

In a recent courtroom appearance, Venezuela’s former president Nicolás Maduro pleaded not guilty to various charges, including drug trafficking, marking a significant moment in a country long plagued by political and economic turmoil. The backdrop of this legal drama positions Venezuela’s oil reserves—a staggering 300 billion barrels, the largest globally—at the center of ongoing U.S. strategies. The potential for American companies to invest in Venezuela’s oil industry has opened doors for U.S. drillers, especially in light of plans by the Trump administration to revitalize the country’s energy sector. This initiative is likely motivated by a desire to shift control of…

The head of one of Europe’s biggest grid operators has raised concerns about numerous unprepared projects delaying essential energy grid connections. Bernard Gustin, CEO of Elia Group, a company that manages the Belgian and parts of the German grid, suggested that network operators should prioritize connections for projects that are ready to go instead of those who apply first. “In Belgium, we have many more projects than needed until 2030,” he stated, specifically mentioning battery storage projects. By shifting the selection process from “first come, first served” to “first ready, first served,” operators can focus on serious projects that are…

Breaking News: Alphabet, the parent company of Google, revealed plans to acquire Intersect, a clean energy and data center developer, for $4.75 billion. The deal is expected to finalize in the first half of this year. Intersect will continue to operate independently, maintaining its leadership under founder and CEO Sheldon Kimber. Current investors will also buy some of Intersect’s assets and manage them separately. Google previously held a minority stake in Intersect, having collaborated on developing energy parks and data centers, along with $20 billion in renewable energy and storage solutions. Insightful Takeaways: This acquisition comes as Google faces challenges…

Oil traders are currently navigating a tricky situation marked by supply concerns from Venezuela, paired with warnings of a global oil surplus. Recently, a significant event occurred when U.S. forces seized the Skipper, a vessel transporting Venezuelan oil, leading to a halt in oil tanker movements to and from the country’s ports. Following this seizure, at least four supertankers and another carrying Russian naphtha had to change course. Analysts suggest that a notable presence of U.S. naval vessels in the Caribbean may lead to further seizures as the U.S. exerts pressure on President Nicolás Maduro’s regime. Only ships chartered by…

Dive Brief: As the federal tax credits for residential solar systems are set to expire on December 31, many solar-only installers may face challenges. However, independent energy installation businesses have shown resilience over the years. Marco Krapels, Chief Marketing Officer of Enphase, believes these companies will adapt to the changing landscape more effectively than expected. Prepaid leases are anticipated to stabilize the market by minimizing upfront costs and long-term pricing risks for homeowners, while providing a fresh promotional tool for installers. According to Krapels, tech companies and data center developers could help lighten the load on the grid by subsidizing…

The buzz around small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) is hard to ignore. These compact power plants are set to begin operation in the UK by the mid-2030s and have attracted interest from both the public sector and major companies like Amazon and Microsoft. However, the initial excitement surrounding SMRs seems to be waning. One of the appealing aspects of SMRs is their size and cost. These reactors, even the largest ones generating up to 350 megawatts, are significantly smaller than the UK’s Hinkley Point C, making them cheaper to build and faster to deploy. This makes nuclear energy a more…

Tesla is no longer the top electric vehicle maker in the world, as recent sales figures show the company has fallen behind China’s BYD. However, Tesla is looking to strengthen its presence in the battery market, where it could have a competitive edge. Chinese battery manufacturers have a key advantage—they continually lower their prices. This has allowed them to dominate the electric vehicle battery market, accounting for about 75% of global production of lithium-ion batteries. They’re also making headway in providing large batteries for electricity grids. As renewable energy sources like solar and wind become more popular, energy storage systems…

Welcome to the last Energy Source newsletter of 2025, straight from New York. BP’s CEO, Murray Auchincloss, has announced his departure after under two years, with Meg O’Neill from Woodside Energy stepping in. The oil giant faced challenges, including a low share price and management issues, but their stock has shown some recovery. In this edition, we explore how American hydrogen equipment manufacturers are increasingly looking to Europe as the US market grows more uncertain. We will return to your inbox on January 6. Happy holidays! Can US Green Hydrogen Equipment Manufacturers Compete in Europe? The US green hydrogen sector…

Ørsted, a major player in the offshore wind industry, is taking legal action against the Trump administration. The company has filed a lawsuit in a District Court in Washington, D.C., challenging the government’s recent decision to halt work on a significant wind farm project located off the northeast coast of the United States. The legal action comes after the U.S. government ordered the suspension of the lease for Ørsted’s Revolution Wind project. Ørsted, which is partly owned by the Danish government, and its partner Skyborn Renewables have expressed that this order violates relevant laws. They warned that continuing the suspension…