Julian is a senior reporter at Canary Media, where he covers batteries and emerging technologies to store clean energy and unlock a carbon-free grid. He also reports on the clean hydrogen industry, and chases down clean energy breakthroughs in far-flung locales.
Prior to the launch of Canary Media in 2021, Julian covered the rise of the grid storage industry for much-loved industry news outlet Greentech Media. Previously he covered clean energy and transportation for CityLab at The Atlantic, and conducted grant-funded climate journalism in Bangladesh. His stories have appeared in The Guardian, HuffPost, Al Jazeera America, and other outlets. He speaks regularly at energy-related events and on podcasts. He graduated from Duke University and still misses Carolina barbecue, but enjoys investigating local cuisine wherever his reporting takes him.
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Clean energy manufacturing
The US clean energy manufacturing revolution is real
The country has made major gains in solar panel and battery cell manufacturing over the last four years, but self-sufficiency remains far away.By Julian Spector .
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Clean energy
6 charts that show how the grid is getting cleaner
Clean energy hit key inflection points this year from California to Texas and the Midwest — and across the Atlantic in Great Britain, too.By Julian Spector .
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Batteries
2024 was a fantastic year for energy storage
Batteries reshaped the power grid in California and Texas, showing the rest of the country what's possible when the tech is allowed to flourish.By Julian Spector .
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Batteries
The case for more novel battery manufacturing startups
Northvolt’s recent failure shows that catching up to China on lithium-ion batteries will be tough. Next-gen battery startups say it’s best to focus elsewhere.By Julian Spector .
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Recycling renewables
Fire, delays, and financial woes: Battery recycling had a rough 2024
Recycling startups like Ascend Elements and Redwood Materials still notched some wins in the mission to turn old electric vehicle batteries into new ones.By Julian Spector .
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Energy efficiency
These high-tech windows fight climate change – and will save you money
LuxWall makes vacuum-sealed glass in a factory it opened this summer. Now it’s ramping up production after landing a federal grant and $51 million in new funding.By Julian Spector .
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Batteries
Duke Energy to knock down coal plant and build its biggest battery yet
Large grid batteries are finally coming to North Carolina, the nation’s fourth largest solar power producer.By Julian Spector .
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Long-duration energy storage
The biggest grid storage project using old batteries is online in Texas
Startup Element Energy set out to prove that second-life batteries could deliver cheaper energy storage safely and at scale.By Julian Spector .
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Clean energy
Voters in Ann Arbor, Michigan, create a local clean energy utility
The municipal effort aims to supplement utility DTE's grid with local, reliable, clean energy at below-market rates.By Julian Spector .
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Clean energy manufacturing
Can clean energy manufacturing survive under Trump?
Factories are starting to make solar panels and batteries in the US. But the new administration may target the tax credits and funding programs they need.By Julian Spector .
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