Author: Graham Foster

Key Update: American Battery Technology Co. (ABTC) has successfully transitioned its battery recycling process into continuous operations, doubling the production of recycled battery materials. The recycling facility located in McCarran, Nevada, opened in 2023 with backing from the U.S. Department of Energy. It is currently processing large-scale batteries from automobile manufacturers and selling significant amounts of recycled materials. ABTC has also completed a deal to sell a 12-acre unused property in Fernley, Nevada, for about $6.75 million, aimed at advancing its plans to produce high-purity battery metals. Current Industry Context: ABTC’s progress comes at a time when the lithium-ion battery…

The price of Brent crude oil has fallen below $60 a barrel for the first time in four years, largely due to the impact of Donald Trump’s global import tariffs and the escalating trade conflict with China. Early trading in London showed prices at $58.60, marking a significant drop of about 18% over the past week as Trump continues to implement his tariff strategy. The last time oil prices dipped below this threshold was in February 2021. Analysts are expressing concerns, noting that the situation is worsening rather than improving. Amrita Sen from Energy Aspects stated, “We are looking at…

Key Developments: Recent suggestions for market improvements hope to enhance energy storage adoption, making the grid more reliable while addressing high capacity prices faced by markets such as PJM Interconnection, MISO, and NYISO, according to a report by the Brattle Group for the American Clean Power Association. The Brattle Group and ACP’s report proposes adjustments to PJM rules, speeding up energy storage responses to market demands. These recommendations also include updates for MISO and NYISO to better align power supply with consumer needs. These proposed changes aim to maximize energy storage potential, likened to a versatile tool for the electric…

Mexico is currently exploring the possibility of increasing fracking activities as concerns grow over its reliance on natural gas from the United States. According to four executives involved in discussions, the Mexican government is in talks with private sector companies regarding this potential shift. Mexico depends on the U.S. for around 70% of its gas supply, making it vulnerable to any drastic changes in U.S. policies. The consideration of fracking marks a significant shift from previous policies in President Claudia Sheinbaum’s party, which has traditionally been cautious about the practice due to environmental concerns. As a former climate scientist, Sheinbaum…

The battery materials industry, crucial for electric vehicle (EV) production, is gearing up for potential consolidation amid fierce competition from China, according to Bart Sap, head of Umicore, a major Belgian company in this sector. Umicore specializes in producing materials for cathodes, which are key components of batteries. Sap expressed his intent to seek partnerships and acquisition opportunities to recover value in their ailing battery business. “We are exploring all possible angles to bring back value, as we’ve been through a tough phase recently,” he shared. The company has experienced a fall in stock value, with shares plummeting more than…

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is being urged to cut down the planned return on equity and reject certain incentives for the Valley Link transmission project, which has an estimated cost of $3 billion. This request comes from a recent filing by the Maryland Office of People’s Counsel. Valley Link consists of two major 765-kV transmission lines and is part of the latest Regional Transmission Expansion Plan approved by PJM Interconnection’s board earlier this year. The project aims to commence operations in December 2029. It is being developed by Valley Link Transmission, a collaboration involving major energy companies: Transource…

The world is urged to quickly invest in uranium mining to tackle the rising demand for nuclear energy. This call comes from a recent report by the Nuclear Energy Agency and International Atomic Energy Agency, which emphasizes the growing interest in nuclear power. According to their biennial Red Book report, the current uranium resources may be depleted by the 2080s if nuclear capacity continues to increase until 2050 and remains high. The report suggests that while there are enough uranium resources to support future growth, significant investments in new mining and processing techniques are necessary to meet this demand. The…

Donald Trump’s latest tariffs are likely to significantly impact the renewable energy sector, risking higher costs, strained supply chains, and undermining the U.S.’s goal to take the lead in artificial intelligence, according to industry leaders. The new tariffs, which range from 10% to 49% on electrical parts, battery storage systems, and other equipment from China, Southeast Asia, and Europe, come as an added blow to an industry that is already facing challenges from Trump’s favoring of fossil fuels and his reluctance towards clean energy initiatives. Industry executives have cautioned that these tariffs will ultimately lead to increased consumer electricity bills.…

Greenpeace is considering a new legal challenge regarding two planned oil and gas fields in the UK, following the government’s indication of support for these projects. This comes after a court previously revoked consent for the developments due to concerns about their climate impact. The environmental group has alerted the energy department that remarks made by the Prime Minister and the Chancellor may suggest bias in any future decision regarding the Rosebank and Jackdaw projects. Greenpeace asserts that any minister contemplating the applications must remain open to the possibility that these projects might not proceed due to their emissions. This…

Homer City Redevelopment (HCR) and Kiewit Power Constructors are set to construct a large-scale gas-fired power generation facility in Pennsylvania. This development aims to support a new data center campus and could generate up to 4.5 GW of energy. The announcement came on Wednesday. The ambitious $10 billion project will take place on the grounds of the former 1,884-MW coal-fired Homer City power plant, which was closed in mid-2023. The site, covering 3,200 acres and located approximately 50 miles east of Pittsburgh, is already linked to the PJM Interconnection and New York Independent System Operator grids, connecting with FirstEnergy Pennsylvania…