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
Texas’ energy market redesign could leave battery developers in limbo
ERCOT changes, billed as improving system efficiency, could cause battery owners to face unpredictable penalties — and raise prices for consumers.By Julian Spector .
-
Energy storage
The grid storage industry set a wild goal for 2025 — and then crushed it
In 2017, U.S. grid storage developers promised they could deliver 35 gigawatts by 2025. They beat their target and made batteries a key power-sector player.By Julian Spector .
-
Solar
T1 Energy is betting big on all-American solar, even under Trump
The Texas firm says it’s a “great” time to be in solar as it churns out panels in a factory full of music-blasting robots and pushes deeper into the supply chain.By Julian Spector .
-
Batteries
Batteries are helping Chattanooga keep the lights on — and bills low
In Tennessee, municipal utility EPB is scaling up its battery fleet in order to improve grid resilience and also shave costs for its customers.By Julian Spector .
-
Heat pumps
This industrial heat pump is cheaper to run than a boiler. Yes, really.
Skyven Technologies is making clean steam in a cost-effective way. The tech could boost efforts to decarbonize heavy industry.By Julian Spector .
-
Energy storage
This startup wants to build pumped hydro storage in the ocean
Sizable Energy raised $8M to build a demonstration plant that stores energy for long durations by pumping brine between inflatable reservoirs in the sea.By Julian Spector .
-
Batteries
In a first, a data center is using a big battery to get online faster
Aligned Data Centers will pay to build a 31-megawatt battery, an early example of how AI developers can move fast if they’re willing to be flexible.By Julian Spector .
-
Batteries
California has a new law to prevent big grid battery fires
The state enhanced battery safety rules in response to the Moss Landing fire. The industry is on board, hoping better standards will reassure the public.By Julian Spector .
-
Solar
Canceled solar megaproject reveals new Trump-era threat to renewables
The Esmeralda 7 development would have been the largest solar farm in the U.S. But it was sited on federal land, so it needed an OK from the Trump admin.By Julian Spector .
-
Batteries
Base Power hauls in $1B for mass deployment of huge home batteries
It’s a standout fundraise for the current cleantech market. The Texas startup will use the money to beef up manufacturing and install batteries even faster.By Julian Spector .
Sponsored