Russia's energy giant Lukoil plans to divest its international assets due to stringent U.S. sanctions imposed in response to the ongoing war in Ukraine. The sanctions are expected to significantly impact Lukoil's revenues and operations, as it is forced to comply with a deadline to wind down its foreign businesses or face penalties. Meanwhile, some European nations, including Hungary, are seeking exemptions to continue their energy dealings with Russia.

Alberta's Premier, Danielle Smith, will visit Saudi Arabia and the UAE from October 27 to November 5 to promote the province's leadership in responsible energy production and attract investment across various sectors. The trip includes meetings with government and industry leaders, participation in the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference, and the announcement of a new trade office in Abu Dhabi. Alberta aims to strengthen trade ties and showcase its potential in energy, agriculture, and technology.

Google has partnered with NextEra Energy to restart the Duane Arnold nuclear plant in Iowa, aiming for it to be operational by early 2029. The plant is expected to generate over 600 MW of nuclear energy, supporting Google's cloud and AI infrastructure while providing economic benefits and job opportunities in the region.

The article discusses the recent push for small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) in the UK and the US, highlighting that the motivations behind this movement are more closely linked to military power than to energy security or climate change. Despite claims of a new nuclear renaissance, the authors argue that SMRs may not be competitive with renewable energy sources and that the push is driven by institutional interests rather than genuine energy needs.

California has made significant advancements in battery energy storage, leading to a 3,000% increase since 2020. This progress has resulted in the state avoiding rolling blackouts and emergency energy conservation alerts, highlighting the effectiveness of battery storage in enhancing grid reliability and supporting climate goals.

Researchers at Penn State have developed a new predictive method to identify materials that could function as superconductors at higher temperatures, potentially transforming energy transmission. By integrating computer modeling with theoretical insights, they aim to overcome the limitations of existing theories that only apply to low-temperature superconductors. This breakthrough could lead to significant advancements in energy systems and electronics.