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.

Guides and how-tos

What are public utility commissions? A beginner's guide

Utility regulators hold the keys to the transition from fossil fuels. Here's how to engage with the clean-energy gatekeepers you've never heard of.

By Julian Spector . 12 October 2022
Energy equity

5 big takeaways on the grassroots clean energy revolution

U.S. communities are taking control of energy decisions and building clean energy projects. Follow Canary's week of special coverage, Power by the People.

By Julian Spector . 10 October 2022
Batteries

Hawaii is paying home-battery owners to help the grid. How's that going?

Hawaii's main utility reached a deal with pro-solar groups to reward households for sharing their clean energy. We check in on the results at the six-month mark.

By Julian Spector . 6 October 2022
Long-duration energy storage

Form Energy wins $450M to rust iron for multiday energy storage

The long-duration storage startup is on a fundraising tear as it validates its iron-air battery technology and scouts locations for a U.S. factory.

By Julian Spector . 4 October 2022
Solar

Ojjo aims to cut solar project costs with better foundation for panels

The steel-truss startup just raised another $40 million and landed the biggest solar-storage project in the U.S. as a client.

By Julian Spector . 30 September 2022
Energy storage

Tesla grid battery fire shows young industry's failures and successes

The latest fire at California's Moss Landing battery complex was contained and didn't cause any injuries, but it still highlights the need for better safety systems at storage facilities.

By Julian Spector . 28 September 2022
Energy storage

ESS inks largest-ever US flow battery purchase with Sacramento utility

The innovative deal will supply 2 gigawatt-hours of storage over multiple years and includes provisions for workforce training in and around the California capital.

By Julian Spector . 27 September 2022
Clean industry

Green hydrogen will power production of Japanese whisky Hakushu

Using renewable electricity, Suntory will produce hydrogen to supply heat for distillation and fuel its buses and trucks.

By Julian Spector . 21 September 2022
Batteries

In Utah, thousands of homes feed the grid stored solar power

Utility Rocky Mountain Power teamed with sonnen to set up a virtual power plant that's thriving. Now it plans to expand the model across Utah and Idaho.

By Julian Spector . 14 September 2022
Solar

California is finally unlocking community solar for the masses

A newly passed bill will open up community solar subscriptions for people who can’t put panels on their roofs — and deliver clean power when the grid needs it most.

By Julian Spector . 8 September 2022