Latest news with #energylandscape
Malay Mail
21-07-2025
- Automotive
- Malay Mail
Southeast Asia's First Smart Battery Swapping Station Officially Launched: U Power Accelerates EV Ecosystem Across Three Continents
Hong Kong's first station leads East Asia; Portugal and Peru mark U Power's entry into Europe and South America In Hong Kong , the first UOTTA™ smart swapping station opened in June in Kwai Chung, with a three-phase plan to build 55 stations to serve taxis, buses, and even ferries. , the first UOTTA™ smart swapping station opened in June in Kwai Chung, with a three-phase plan to build 55 stations to serve taxis, buses, and even ferries. In Europe , U Power partnered with Portugal's Taxi Association to launch the joint venture ELMO. At the ANTRAL 50th anniversary event, ELMO also revealed it is in talks with energy giant Galp to establish swapping stations. , U Power partnered with Portugal's Taxi Association to launch the joint venture ELMO. At the ANTRAL 50th anniversary event, ELMO also revealed it is in talks with energy giant Galp to establish swapping stations. In South America, U Power will soon launch its first station in Peru, in partnership with local ride-hailing platform Ualabee. From Phuket to the World: Reshaping the Global Energy Landscape for EVs PHUKET, THAILAND - EQS Newswire - 21 July 2025 - U Power Limited (Nasdaq: UCAR) and UNEX EV B.V. (hereinafter "UNEX EV") today co-hosted the grand inauguration ceremony of Southeast Asia's first smart battery swapping station for new energy vehicles, held in Phuket, Thailand. This station marks not only the first project launched by the joint venture between U Power and Thai energy conglomerate Susco, but also the first fully operational 24/7 smart battery swapping station in the entire Southeast Asia region. Notably, it is also the first such station globally—outside mainland China—designed specifically for electric taxis and ride-hailing fleets, signaling the scalability and global potential of this forward-looking battery swapping ecosystem for tens of millions of taxis and ride-hailing vehicles ceremony welcomed local government officials, executives from CP Group, SAIC-CP MG, Susco, and guests from Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Pitak Pruittisarikorn, Global CEO of UNEX EV, delivered a keynote speech on behalf of both organizers, themed. He noted: "This first smart swapping station in Southeast Asia is powered by U Power's proprietary UOTTA™ technology, integrating AI-based positioning and modular hardware to enable fully automated battery swaps in just minutes—bringing the vision of autonomous, intelligent mobility into reality."The new smart swapping station in Phuket features U Power's self-developed UOTTA™ battery swapping system, equipped with AI-assisted alignment, high-frequency operation capability, and standardized battery interfaces. The entire process takes only a few minutes and is fully unmanned, enabling seamless, efficient operations. The system supports multiple EV models and is pre-configured for future L4 autonomous driving vehicles, translating the concept of "unattended, automated battery replenishment" into an operational reality—meeting the ultra-fast energy needs of tomorrow's intelligent transportation technology path aligns with global transportation transformation trends. From North America to Asia and the Middle East, leading countries and cities are accelerating the commercialization of autonomous ride-hailing (Robotaxi) services. In the U.S., cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix, and Austin have launched paid Robotaxi operations, with expansion underway in New York, Atlanta, and beyond. Chinese AV companies have also scaled operations to tens of millions of service orders. Cities like Dubai plan to automate 25% of public transport by in high-frequency and time-sensitive mobility scenarios, traditional charging methods fall short of meeting the strict efficiency and uptime demands of Robotaxi fleets. In contrast, battery swapping—due to its speed, safety, and ability to operate autonomously—has emerged as the preferred energy solution. Thus, the main bottleneck to Robotaxi scale-up is no longer "driverless driving" but "driverless energy replenishment."U Power is solving this critical challenge. By deploying its smart swapping station in Phuket, U Power provides current fleet operators with a safe, efficient, and cost-effective energy solution. Under its strategic framework—"Vehicle-Station-Cloud-Token"—U Power is building a nodal, intelligent, data-driven energy infrastructure network. This system enables deep integration between mobility energy and digital energy trading, paving the way for autonomous vehicles to scale and ushering in a fully automated and unmanned future for global smart April 2025, U Power, together with UNEX EV and SAIC-CP MG, delivered its first batch of swappable EVs, which have since been operating as taxis and ride-hailing vehicles in Phuket. This marks the first real-world deployment of an intelligent battery swapping ecosystem in Thailand and Southeast Asia. The official launch of the Phuket station completes the ecosystem loop—from vehicle to swapping station to operational platform—and lays the foundation for a scalable, replicable business the first adopters is AUTO Drive, one of Thailand's largest taxi and ride-hailing operators. CEO Mr. Akaranan shared at the ceremony:"The UOTTA™-enabled swappable EV fleet we deployed in Phuket has significantly improved operational efficiency. Battery swaps take just minutes, relieving power grid pressure during peak times and saving valuable time for both drivers and vehicles. This project serves as a pilot model for Thailand and ASEAN, offering a sustainable and unmanned energy solution for millions of urban mobility vehicles." President of the Thai Taxi Association, also praised the solution after inspecting the station and test-driving the vehicles:"This UNEX EV-MG model is the best electric taxi I've seen in Thailand to date—spacious, comfortable, and cost-effective. More importantly, it helps drivers save time and money. We're seriously considering this model when upgrading our 60,000-vehicle fleet to EVs in the future."Thailand serves as a strategic entry point for U Power in Southeast Asia, with implications far beyond this first station. Back in March, U Power and Susco formed a joint venture to develop a national battery swapping network leveraging Susco's nearly 1,000 gas stations across Thailand. The JV will deploy UOTTA™-based smart swapping infrastructure for taxis, ride-hailing fleets, buses, and logistics vehicles—supporting Thailand's green transportation on Thailand's success, U Power has launched its "ESP Model" in Singapore. Over the next three years, the ESP program aims to deploy 5,000 swappable EVs and a corresponding number of UOTTA™ stations, while converting 300 existing MG EP taxis into swappable Thailand and Singapore as hubs, U Power is rapidly extending its network across Indonesia and Malaysia. Meanwhile, the company's global ambitions are taking shape:From Asia to Europe and South America, U Power is leveraging its intelligent, standardized, and modular UOTTA™ technology to build a global energy network—empowering the electric mobility transition the launch of its first station in Phuket to the rapid expansion of its regional ecosystem, U Power is transforming Southeast Asia's EV infrastructure—and redefining global energy replenishment for electric mobility. As intelligent battery swapping stations roll out across countries and continents, U Power will continue collaborating with governments and industry partners to create a smarter, greener, and more efficient energy this era of autonomous, unmanned mobility, U Power is not merely building energy infrastructure—it is constructing the core network that connects clean energy with intelligent transportation. This growing network is leading the world toward a truly sustainable, zero-emissions mobility #UPower The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About U Power U Power Limited (Nasdaq: UCAR), a member of the UPINCAR Group, was founded in 2013 and is a global leader in new energy technologies. Designed for the autonomous and intelligent mobility era, U Power developed the proprietary UOTTA™ smart battery swapping system, featuring high automation, rapid recognition (milliseconds), alignment (seconds), and full battery swap (minutes)—all with minimal human involvement. In 2023, U Power became the world's first and only Nasdaq-listed company focused on battery swapping technology, showcasing its maturity and full-stack capabilities in the EV charging and swapping ecosystem. Driven by its mission to "Enable a Seamless Transition to the Electric Future", U Power focuses on intelligent swapping tech, distributed energy networks, and Web3-based digital energy solutions. Its "Vehicle-Station-Cloud-Token" ecosystem, powered by proprietary tech and blockchain energy ledger infrastructure, supports multi-scenario deployment across logistics, public transit, and personal mobility. With a strategic presence in six global regions—Greater China, Southeast Asia, Europe, North and South America, and the Middle East—U Power is the world's pioneer in merging smart swapping with Web3 energy, delivering long-term value for global green transformation.
Khaleej Times
05-06-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Opec+ move to raise output a key pivot for oil markets
The increase in oil production by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) and its allies including Russia, collectively known an Opec+, comes at a pivotal moment for global oil markets, analysts say. Saudi Arabia, Russia and six other key members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) announced on Saturday a huge increase in crude production for July. They will produce an additional 411,000 barrels a day — the same target set for May and then June — according to a statement, which is more than three times greater than the group had previously planned. The move signals a shift in strategy that could reshape the global energy landscape for years to come. While the immediate market reaction was a sharp drop in oil prices, the long-term consequences are far more nuanced. By boosting supply in a market already grappling with sluggish demand, the move is likely to keep oil prices lower for an extended period. This could strain the budgets of oil-dependent economies, where fiscal breakeven prices remain well above current market levels. At the same time, this decision may reflect a deeper strategic pivot: a bid to defend market share against rising non-Opec producers and resilient US shale. For example, while countries in the GCC can produce oil at around $3 to $10 per barrel, the production cost for US shale can be as high as $40-55 per barrel. The IEA notes that US shale output is under pressure due to recent oil price declines, prompting some producers to reduce rig counts and cut back on production plans. A range-bound crude oil market saw prices recover all of last week's losses, surging higher despite a group of eight Opec+ producers announcing a third consecutive production hike of 0.41 million barrels per day. 'This move was made primarily to regain market share from high-cost producers and to penalise persistent cheaters. Instead, the focus has now shifted back to geopolitically related supply concerns, particularly involving Russia, Iran, and Libya, the latter, after its eastern government said it could take precautionary measures, including a force majeure on oil fields,' Ole Hansen, Head of Commodity Strategy, Saxo Bank, said in a note. Amid shifting geopolitical landscapes and complex global economic conditions, oil continues to be one of the most closely watched and volatile commodities. George Khoury, Global Head of Research and Education at CFI, said: 'When it comes to oil prices, several key factors must be closely monitored. These include decisions made by OPEC, developments in global geopolitics, and shifts in economic cycles — whether recovery, slowdown, or the risk of recession. Each of these elements directly influences the trajectory of oil and energy prices. Geopolitical developments, in particular, can have a pronounced impact.' Earlier this week, oil prices rose despite an increase in supply, following a notable escalation in tensions between Russia and Ukraine. The event was among the more significant confrontations seen recently, raising concerns about potential further instability in the region. Although peace talks have been ongoing for months, they appear to have produced limited progress thus far. The implications of persistently low oil prices must be viewed from two perspectives. From the standpoint of oil-producing countries and companies, lower prices directly impact revenues. 'Each nation has a breakeven range for oil production — countries like Saudi Arabia typically operate within a range of $15 to $25 per barrel, although this varies, for example with their Vision 2030 the breakeven might be even higher more towards a range between $80–$85 per barrel. A sustained drop below these thresholds could significantly affect both national and corporate income,' Khoury said. The market may be in the early stages of a new commodity supercycle. The current backdrop — marked by political, geopolitical, and financial uncertainty — does not favour energy market stability. If global markets begin to contract or move toward recession, energy demand may weaken. In such scenarios, companies often draw on existing inventories rather than placing new orders, which can lead to downward pressure on prices. While oil has recently seen upward movement, it remains unclear whether this trend is sustainable. Given the level of uncertainty, a more cautious or even bearish energy outlook could emerge in the near term, Khoury said.
Forbes
28-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
The Convergence Of Gas And Power
Junaid Ali is the CEO of Prismecs, a leading energy solutions provider that delivers thousands of MW of power globally. getty The energy landscape is shifting significantly, and I see gas companies as central to this transformation and changing their roles to help confront the dual challenges of energy demand. No longer confined to the extraction and distribution of natural gas, companies within this sector are increasingly stepping into the realm of power generation. Simply, with their existing infrastructure and expertise, gas companies are uniquely positioned to lead compared to coal-generated power plants. But this shift is not just a strategic choice—it's becoming an industry necessity. Traditional power generation methods, primarily dependent on centralized systems, are proving inadequate in the face of modern energy demands and climate challenges. Whether driven by economic pressures, regulatory changes or the imperative to reduce carbon emissions, these companies are being pushed to reinvent themselves as key players in the power sector. Centralized power systems have long been the backbone of our energy infrastructure. Global electricity demand is expected to grow by 60% by 2040, driven by urbanization and the electrification of transport and industry. Traditional power grids, designed for when energy was generated far from where it was used, are struggling to keep up with this growth. This is where gas companies come in. With the sharp decline of coal-fueled power and the steady transition away from oil, natural gas has become a promising bridge in the shift to cleaner energy sources. Distributed power generation, where electricity is produced closer to where it's consumed, offers a solution to the inefficiencies of the traditional grid. With 40% or lower carbon emissions than coal when burned, natural gas is becoming a critical bridge in the transition to cleaner energy. It pairs effectively with renewable sources like wind and solar by providing backup power during intermittent periods. For instance, General Electric (GE) reports that some natural gas turbines now achieve over 60% efficiency in combined-cycle operations, making them ideal for distributed systems. Gas companies have an advantage in this transition due to their extensive existing infrastructure. The pipelines, storage facilities and distribution networks built for natural gas can be adapted for power generation. This allows gas companies to expand into the power sector with lower capital investment than building entirely new infrastructure from scratch. Moreover, natural gas's ability to complement renewables is crucial. Combined-cycle plants use natural gas and can ramp up quickly to provide power when solar and wind generation falter. For example, Dominion Energy and Southern Company are expanding their portfolios to include not only natural gas but also wind and solar projects. These efforts position them as leaders in the energy transition, showcasing how gas companies can support renewable integration while maintaining reliability. Governments worldwide are implementing ambitious climate policies, pushing for cleaner energy sources. For instance, the European Union (EU) aims to reduce "net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels." Economic incentives are also driving the shift. The cost of renewable technologies has plummeted over the past decade, and the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that solar photovoltaic costs have fallen by over 80% since 2010, while wind power costs have dropped by 40%. Natural gas can complement these renewables, offering reliability and flexibility and allowing companies to diversify revenue streams as traditional natural gas applications plateau. The transition of gas companies into power generation is reshaping the energy ecosystem. These companies address grid stability and energy storage challenges by providing gas and electricity while driving innovation through partnerships with renewable energy developers and technology firms. For instance, Chevron has partnered with renewable energy companies to develop hybrid systems that combine natural gas with solar and wind power. According to the company, these projects deliver a stable, reliable energy supply while significantly reducing emissions compared to traditional fossil fuel-based power generation. The transformation of gas companies into power companies marks a pivotal moment in the energy sector, one that forward-thinking companies can seize. Expertise in natural gas and extensive infrastructure make those in this sector as indispensable in creating a low-carbon energy future. The pressures driving this change—economic, regulatory and environmental—are only intensifying. The IEA emphasizes that natural gas will remain a cornerstone of the energy mix through 2040, mainly as a complement to renewables. Therefore, the future of energy is decentralized, flexible and sustainable. By taking on this new role, leaders in gas are not just responding to market pressures but also helping to shape the future of the global energy system. I am committed to supporting this transition and believe it represents one of the most significant opportunities of our time. I am certain that companies that seize this opportunity will play a central role in meeting the challenges of the 21st century, ensuring energy systems are ready for a sustainable and dynamic future. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
