Energy Future: Powering Tomorrow’s Cleaner World

AI is hungry for power, but the grid’s most precious resource isn’t just generation—it’s time. We dig into a headline‑grabbing plan to build a 1,500‑megawatt nuclear‑powered data campus in South Texas and unpack why the near‑term reality starts with on‑site gas, not fission. From regulatory approvals and factory build‑outs to fuel and financing, modular nuclear still has miles to go. Meanwhile, data center builders face a thicket o...

In this Week 5 – October 2025 Energy Update, I take a look at another eventful week in U.S. energy — one defined by offshore wind setbacks, renewed nuclear ambitions, and AI-driven grid innovation.

I start with Shell’s withdrawal from Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, which leaves EDF Renewables as the sole developer after a key EPA permit was pulled. I then discuss the Trump administration’s $80 billion nuclear partnership with Brookf...

In this week’s Energy Update, I take a look at some of the biggest developments shaping the global energy landscape — from a nuclear revival in South Carolina to solar and battery breakthroughs overseas.

South Carolina’s Santee Cooper has selected Brookfield as its partner to restart the long-abandoned 2.3 GW V.C. Summer nuclear plant, signaling renewed U.S. interest in large-scale baseload power. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates...

Energy Future: Powering Tomorrow’s Cleaner World with Peter Kelly-Detwiler explores the forces reshaping the global energy landscape — from grid reliability in the U.S. to renewable breakthroughs in Europe and Asia. Each episode dives into the week’s most important developments across clean energy, power markets, EVs, nuclear innovation, hydrogen, and sustainability policy.

As a leading energy expert and industry analyst, Peter brin...

The rapidly evolving energy landscape of 2025 is bringing remarkable innovations across multiple sectors, from affordable electric vehicles to creative renewable energy solutions and unexpected comebacks in nuclear power.

Ford's announcement of a $30,000 electric pickup truck represents what CEO Jim Farley calls a "Model T moment" for the company. Using revolutionary manufacturing techniques including unicas...

The digital revolution is fundamentally reshaping America's electrical grid, with data centers emerging as the dominant force driving unprecedented demand growth. American Electric Power's staggering forecast of 24 gigawatts of new load by 2030—18 gigawatts from data centers alone—signals a transformation that utilities across the country are scrambling to address. Their system, currently at 37 gigawatts, has received req...

The energy landscape is transforming rapidly, with remarkable developments across multiple sectors reshaping how we generate, distribute, and consume power. 

Oregon leads the charge in grid modernization with groundbreaking bipartisan legislation that will enable both private and community microgrids, creating designated zones where these localized energy systems can flourish. Meanwhile, Native Hawaiians on Oahu are gainin...

A potential nuclear revival emerges as Santee Cooper selects top contenders from fourteen proposals to complete the abandoned V.C. Summer nuclear reactors in South Carolina. After $9 billion spent and construction halted in 2017, the site remains in "mostly excellent condition" according to recent inspections, breathing new life into nuclear energy's prospects. Meanwhile, Constellation Energy eyes new nuclear develop...

The energy landscape is experiencing a seismic shift with the passage of the "One Big, Beautiful Bill" into law. This dramatic policy reversal dismantles much of the Biden-era renewable energy initiatives, triggering the cancellation of tens of gigawatts of renewable projects and creating what promises to be persistently tight power markets for years to come.

The ripple effects are already visible throughout the ...

The clean energy landscape is transforming rapidly as major tech companies stake their claims in next-generation power sources. Google has made a significant move by signing a power purchase agreement with Commonwealth Fusion Systems for 200 megawatts from their planned Virginia facility, showing serious confidence in fusion technology's commercial potential by the early 2030s.

Advanced nuclear energy continues to gai...

The energy landscape is transforming rapidly as tech giants forge ahead with ambitious power supply strategies for their ever-expanding data center operations. Amazon Web Services has secured a monumental 1,920-megawatt agreement with Talon Energy to tap Pennsylvania's Susquehanna nuclear facility through 2042, cleverly restructuring a previously rejected proposal into a front-of-meter framework that sidesteps federal approval...

The future of energy is unfolding through innovative solutions that merge transportation, storage, and grid management into integrated systems. Utrecht's groundbreaking vehicle-to-grid network demonstrates this perfectly—transforming electric vehicles into mobile power plants that balance renewable energy while providing shared mobility services. This dual-purpose approach could revolutionize how we think about EVs, changing t...

Renewable energy curtailment has hit new highs in California, with the state forced to turn away 3.4 million megawatt hours of clean electricity in 2024 - a 29% jump from the previous year. The solar "duck curve" continues to deepen as midday generation vastly outpaces demand, especially during spring months when solar output soars but air conditioning needs remain low. This imbalance leaves grid operators in a precarious...

The energy landscape is rapidly evolving in mid-2025, with groundbreaking developments that could reshape our energy future. 

Canadian nuclear ambitions come with a hefty price tag as Ontario Power Generation reveals its planned 300-megawatt small modular reactor will cost $7.7 billion Canadian—significantly more expensive than conventional generation. Meanwhile, NuScale Power reports manufacturing progress and potential d...

Seismic shifts are reshaping America's energy landscape as the Biden administration concludes a year-long investigation with massive tariffs on solar imports. The shocking 3,521% duty imposed on Cambodian products has sent shockwaves through the industry, with similar punitive measures hitting Vietnam (400%) and Thailand (375%). These tariffs target countries representing 75% of US solar panel imports worth nearly $13 billion ...

The clean energy transition is accelerating across multiple fronts, with groundbreaking developments reshaping how we generate, store, and manage electricity. Geothermal energy takes center stage as Fervo Energy secures a 15-year agreement with Shell for 31 megawatts from their Utah project, enabling expansion to 500 megawatts without additional drilling through advanced well design and fiber optic sensing technologies. Meanwhile, ...

The energy world stands at a critical inflection point as grid operators scramble to maintain reliability in the face of unprecedented demand growth. Southwest Power Pool CEO Lenny Nickel delivers a sobering assessment: reserve margins could collapse to a dangerous 5% by 2029, down from a comfortable 24% in 2020. With generation projects unable to deploy quickly enough, SPP is forced to bet on demand response as its near-term savio...

Battery swapping is gaining serious momentum in Asia. California-based Ample is building a network in Tokyo that can support over 100 electric delivery trucks, while Chinese giants CATL and NIO are joining forces to create what they claim will be the world's largest EV battery swapping network. With over 3,100 swapping stations already operational in China and partnerships extending to Volvo and Polestar, the technology's...

The energy transition is accelerating across multiple fronts, as demonstrated by a flurry of recent announcements from major players. General Motors has partnered with Pacific Gas & Electric for a groundbreaking vehicle-to-everything pilot offering customers up to $4,500 in incentives when using compatible EVs like the Chevrolet Silverado and Cadillac Lyric. While pilots generate buzz, what matters more is whether GM and PG&...