Long-Duration Storage Push: Payal Industrial Park (PIP) in Gujarat is partnering with Fourier to deploy on-site hydrogen long-duration energy storage, aiming to stretch backup from 12 hours to more than a week—an answer to India’s intermittency challenge. Grid + AI Demand: ENERtec Asia 2026 opened in Kuala Lumpur with energy security and grid resilience front and center as AI and data centers accelerate power needs across Southeast Asia. Energy Tech for Renewables: Mitsubishi Electric will launch a free June 28 service sharing design and validation data for a prototype inverter using 8th-gen IGBTs, targeting faster development of solar and renewable power conversion systems. Energy Security Diplomacy: South Korea and Canada expanded cooperation on energy security, critical minerals, hydrogen, and supply chains, with potential CA$100B impact. Oil Supply Politics: Saudi Arabia’s energy minister told Russia at SPIEF that the world needs stability and “every molecule” of energy amid OPEC+ strain from wars. Climate Warning: A UN report says AI’s environmental footprint is rising fast, with data centers projected to consume huge electricity and add major water and land impacts. Coal Support in the US: Trump unveiled nearly $700M to back coal plants and exports using Defense Production Act authority. Local Power Costs: Duke Energy customers in North Carolina again protested a proposed rate hike, arguing it’s unaffordable “greed.” Oil-India-Venezuela Link: India’s energy minister said a technical team will visit Venezuela to explore new energy opportunities, citing complementarities and existing investments.