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.

Carbon capture

Carbon capture for New York high-rise apartments is a real thing now

As New York City works to reduce building-related carbon emissions, one 30-story apartment tower is proving you can trap and sequester carbon from gas boiler exhaust.

By Julian Spector . 8 December 2022
Just transition

To get tax credits, clean-energy firms must soon meet labor standards

In January, new wage and apprenticeship criteria will kick in for companies seeking popular federal tax incentives for renewable energy projects.

By Julian Spector . 2 December 2022
Nuclear

A small nuclear reactor with off-the-shelf parts: Can it work?

The unusually nimble nuclear startup Last Energy relies on proven technology to steer clear of the pitfalls that have stymied its competitors, incumbents and newcomers alike.

By Julian Spector . 1 December 2022
Fun stuff

Holiday conversation starters for clean-energy nerds

Get your family chattering about protests that could spur clean-energy progress (ones that don't involve throwing food at famous artworks).

By Julian Spector . 22 November 2022
Geothermal

Dandelion Energy raises $70M to take geothermal heat pumps mainstream

The Google spinout installs ground-source heat pumps for households in the frigid Northeast. Now it’s got federal tax credits and energy inflation to help it make the pitch.

By Julian Spector . 21 November 2022
Energy storage

Long-duration storage firm Energy Vault pivots to short-term batteries

The startup pulled in millions for its novel gravity-based storage design, but most of its deal flow these days comes from garden-variety lithium-ion batteries.

By Julian Spector . 18 November 2022
Long-duration energy storage

Long-duration energy storage to get $350M boost from Dept. of Energy

Some say it's the key to unlocking a decarbonized grid. Will a new pot of federal funding be enough to push long-duration storage into the mainstream?

By Julian Spector . 15 November 2022
Fossil fuels

Gas plants without the emissions? This startup says it's cracked the code

North Carolina–based NET Power uses a novel combustion cycle that captures its own emissions. Now it's building a 300MW plant in Texas to prove it works at scale.

By Julian Spector . 8 November 2022
Utilities

Hawaii moves to time-varying 'smart' rates for most utility customers

The first-in-the-nation statewide plan will nudge residents to shift their energy use to times that best align with Hawaii's increasingly solar-powered grid.

By Julian Spector . 8 November 2022
Wind

Virginia deal would shield customers if wind project blows its budget

Dominion Energy has agreed to protect customers if costs run over budget or performance falls short of expectations on $10B landmark offshore wind project.

By Julian Spector . 1 November 2022