Julian Spector

Julian Spector

Senior Reporter . .

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 budding 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.

The Latest from Julian Spector

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 . 21 November 2024
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 . 20 November 2024
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 . 14 November 2024
Politics

Republicans sweep key utility regulator races in Arizona and Louisiana

Public utility commissions hold significant sway over state energy systems. Clean energy advocates failed to break through in elections this year.

By Julian Spector . 7 November 2024
Batteries

Moment Energy plans to mass-produce grid storage from used EV batteries

The Canadian startup repackages electric-vehicle batteries for commercial customers. Now it’s got $20 million from the DOE to build its first gigafactory in Texas.

By Julian Spector . 5 November 2024
Clean energy manufacturing

How is clean energy manufacturing playing out in swing states?

New factories are already revitalizing parts of Georgia, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, but the benefits of this onshoring will take years to fully materialize.

By Julian Spector . 4 November 2024
Virtual power plants

Hundreds of New Yorkers got free batteries to help clean up the grid

A novel collaboration between solar installer Sunrun and utility Orange & Rockland shows how New York could tap household solar generation to advance climate goals.

By Julian Spector . 30 October 2024
Politics

Clean energy is on the ballot in these utility regulator races

Ten states elect their public utility commissions, which make big decisions about energy. This November, the stakes are high, especially in Arizona and Louisiana.

By Julian Spector . 25 October 2024
Clean energy manufacturing

Can energy-rich Pennsylvania chart a path toward decarbonization?

The pivotal swing state has run on coal, oil, and gas, but it's seeking a new era of economic growth from low-carbon industry and cleantech manufacturing.

By Julian Spector . 15 October 2024
Clean energy manufacturing

Michigan bets on EVs to revive its economy — and hopes jobs will follow

The swing state's Democratic leaders want to channel historic manufacturing prowess toward clean energy. Success will hinge on the November election.

By Julian Spector . 2 October 2024