Energy Security & Costs (Germany): Germany confirmed plans for a strategic gas reserve equal to 10% of storage capacity, to be filled in 2027-28 and funded via consumer levies—expected to add about €42 a year to household bills. Renewables Buildout (Philippines): President Marcos inaugurated Phase 1 of Meralco’s MTerra Solar project, pitching it as a major solar-plus-battery push to cut fuel-price exposure. Grid for Data Centers (Germany): Hitachi Energy won a contract to deliver a dedicated 110kV grid connection for Kauri CAB’s Frankfurt data center, aiming to handle concentrated new demand reliably. Corporate Moves (US): Google’s former utility origination leader joined NRG Energy to focus on growth and partnerships, including tariff and large-load frameworks for AI demand. Long-Duration Storage (US/Global): Meine Electric says it validated a fast-charging iron-air battery system with a 6-hour charge and 18-hour discharge cycle. Nuclear Fuel (US): SuperCritical Materials licensed a DOE process to commercialize uranium extraction from seawater, targeting domestic nuclear fuel security. Oil & Inflation Watch (Global/US): Inflation eased in June as energy prices fell, but renewed US-Iran tensions are pushing energy costs back up. Geopolitics (Hormuz): Analysts warn Strait of Hormuz toll plans could act like a new tax on global energy flows, raising prices broadly. Renewables M&A (India): Aditya Birla Renewables agreed to buy Shell-backed Sprng Energy for about $1.8B, expanding toward a ~9.3 GW portfolio. EV Charging (Netherlands): DNV completed technical due diligence for an Aberdeen/DigitalBridge deal to scale EV charging infrastructure under the Velian brand.