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.
-
Batteries
Will New York's 1GW storage contracts finally break the state's big battery impasse?
The state stepped in with a market-based contract in hopes of jump-starting the big battery construction that has so far proved elusive.By Julian Spector .
-
Solar
Meet the solar industry’s new Republican evangelist
Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty took the helm of the Solar Energy Industries Association this summer with a mandate to build durable political power.By Julian Spector .
-
Batteries
Vistra’s Moss Landing grid battery is on fire yet again
The California facility, with its outdated building and battery design, had a catastrophic fire in 2025. Now, a new fire ignited during the decommissioning process.By Julian Spector .
-
Batteries
xAI has quietly built a massive battery at its Memphis data center hub
Company and utility execs called it the nation’s biggest battery, but details are scant. A July satellite image shows 720 Tesla Megapacks at the controversial site.By Julian Spector .
-
Batteries
The US built more grid batteries last quarter than ever before
The outlook for storage construction keeps getting brighter as everyone from the Trump White House to clean energy advocates to AI giants clamors for more.By Julian Spector .
-
Politics
Meet the super PAC working to crush clean energy's political foes
After Republicans voted to undo much of the Inflation Reduction Act, a few cleantech professionals set out to exact electoral revenge. So far, it seems to be working.By Julian Spector .
-
Solar
Tesla ditches solar roof — and embraces regular solar panels
The product that was supposed to redefine both roofing and home solar never moved beyond expensive niche status. Does the new plan reflect lessons learned?By Dan McCarthy, Julian Spector .
-
Batteries
Arizona is having a grid battery growth spurt. Will that last?
So far this year, it has built more battery capacity than any state besides Texas. But political shifts could complicate the long-term growth trajectory.By Julian Spector .
-
Wind
Huge new turbines could let biggest UK wind farm do more with less
ScottishPower’s Whitelee onshore wind farm could double its capacity with far fewer turbines. It’s an example of how much wind technology has improved.By Julian Spector .
-
Solar
Trump launched big new solar tariffs. Here's what it means.
The cost of installing solar panels will rise. But now the U.S. has a large and fast-growing solar manufacturing industry to take advantage of the trade protections.By Julian Spector .
Sponsored