Energy Industry Review

The maritime industry is taking a decisive turn towards climate protection. This makes it especially important that compressed air, as an important source of shipboard energy, is generated as energy-efficiently and sustainably as possible. Kaeser’s Marine product range provides the perfect answer: The durable, high-quality compressed air systems are ideally suited to the demands of operation on the high seas and are certified by all of the notable classification societies worldwide. Compact, efficient and powerful: Dependable assistant for every voyage with SK and Aircenter series SK series rotary screw compressors deliver outstanding dependability on the high seas. Aircenter versions combine a Kaeser rotary screw compressor featuring the Sigma Profile with an energy-saving refrigeration dryer and an air receiver in one complete, extremely compact compressed air station with the smallest of footprints. The innovative Sigma Control controller ensures energy-efficient operation and optimal communication for on-board operating personnel in 30 languages. For maximum reliability at sea, both the compressors and the controller are fully certified for marine use. More compressed air, more nitrogen, more savings Nitrogen generation: Efficient and dependable Rotary screw compressors from the CSD series With the Marine version of its CSD series models, Kaeser sets new standards in compressed air availability and energy efficiency. Air-, water- or seawater-cooled, these rotary screw compressors can be perfectly adapted to any application. The open version features a particularly narrow design and is therefore ideal for use on board ships. What’s more, these efficient systems impress with their unrivalled discharge pressure and air quality – making them perfect for nitrogen generation. Energy-saving masters on the high seas: Efficient compressed air for air lubrication with CBS to FBS series To reduce the ship’s fuel requirement, so-called “micro-bubble” technology is used to blow small air bubbles under the hull. When introduced beneath a flat hull, these air bubbles form a uniform layer under the ship from front to back and out to the sides, which significantly reduces ship resistance. As a result, the vessel can achieve considerable fuel and emissions savings whilst operating at the same speed. Efficient and dependable blowers from Kaeser are ideal for this application: as ready-to-start, “plug-and-play” complete solutions, these low-maintenance systems offer exceptional efficiency at the touch of a button. Powerful, durable and dependable: Maximum efficiency on the open ocean with SX series SX series rotary screw compressors are perfect for demanding applications in the marine sector. Whether it’s a reliable supply of control air or work air that’s needed, SX compressors impress with maximum efficiency and minimal space requirement in the machine room. A further advantage is the integrated refrigeration dryer: it provides reliably dry compressed air for effective protection of sensitive on-board components and pneumatic valves from condensate and corrosion, whilst markedly reducing maintenance costs. Kaeser Kompressoren will be showing how innovative products can shape the future of the maritime industry at SMM-booth in Hall A3, Stand 112.

by PhD KRZYSZTOF DOMINICZAK, Vice-President of the Management Board at SGE This summer’s exceptionally low Danube levels and the disconnection of Unit 1 at the Cernavoda nuclear power plant have highlighted an increasingly important challenge for Romania: how to ensure that dependable, low-carbon generation remains available during periods of extreme heat and water scarcity. SGE examines the impact of this summer’s conditions in Romania, Hungary and France, and the implications for the next generation of nuclear power plants. SGE looks at how the BWRX-300 technology can be configured with mechanical-draft, hybrid or dry cooling systems, significantly reducing its operational dependence on river water. For Romania, where nuclear energy already provides a substantial share of electricity generation and the Danube is central to the operation of the existing nuclear fleet, the choice of cooling technology will be an increasingly important element of future energy-security planning. This is particularly relevant as decisions are being made about the technologies, project models and infrastructure that will shape Romania’s nuclear sector for decades to come. New nuclear capacity will be expected to operate for at least 60 years, which means resilience to higher temperatures, lower river flows and growing pressure on water resources should be considered from the outset, alongside safety, cost and security of supply. Nuclear power must be ready – Europe needs resilient solutions for a changing world As heatwaves and drought restrict power generation across Europe, the BWRX-300 technology offers something increasingly valuable: reliable nuclear energy with cooling systems that require much less water and can be adapted to a world of lower river flows and higher temperatures. When temperatures rise and electricity demand reaches its peak, Europe needs its most dependable power plants to be available. Yet this summer, the opposite happened. Record-low river levels and exceptionally warm water have reduced nuclear generation in Romania, Hungary and France. The problem is not nuclear energy itself. It is that much of Europe’s existing power infrastructure was designed around climatic and hydrological conditions that can no longer be taken for granted. Events of this summer Hungary faced severe physical constraints as Danube levels fell. The Paks nuclear power plant, responsible for more than 40% of the country’s electricity, reduced generation dramatically. By early August, only one of the plant’s turbines remained in operation, producing approximately 240 MW, and the facility was running at around 10% of its normal capacity. A temporary increase in the river level prevented an immediate full shutdown, but the risk remained. Hungary asked households and companies to reduce electricity consumption and prepared to increase imports. Large industrial consumers joined voluntary demand-reduction measures as high temperatures continued to drive air-conditioning use. Downstream, in Romania, the consequences of low water levels were immediate when the Danube reached a critical point. Unit 1 (706 MW reactor) at the Cernavoda nuclear power plant was disconnected from the grid after the Danube fell to historically low levels. The two units normally account for around one-fifth of Romania’s electricity production. At the Romanian entry point, the Danube was flowing at only around 35% of its July average — approximately 65% below normal. The disruption came as the heatwave increased electricity use, with peak demand estimated at 7.3 GW while domestic production had already fallen well below its normal level. The Romanian government declared a nationwide state of emergency for August and funded emergency works intended to redirect water towards the remaining cooling infrastructure. It also sought additional electricity imports from neighbouring countries to cover periods of peak consumption. The contradiction could hardly be clearer. Heatwaves increase the need for electricity while simultaneously reducing the availability of the plants expected to provide it. France’s experience shows that the issue is not limited to rivers becoming too shallow. Nuclear plants can also face restrictions when rivers become too warm to receive the heat discharged during electricity production. Environmental rules limit the amount by which a plant may raise the temperature of surrounding water in order to protect aquatic ecosystems. During the July heatwave, high river temperatures and low flows contributed to the unavailability of approximately 3.65 GW of French nuclear capacity. Reactors at sites including Golfech, Bugey and Chooz were shut down or had their output reduced, while France recorded its hottest July since national temperature measurements began in 1900. Lessons learned The lesson is not that Europe should move away from nuclear energy. It is that new nuclear capacity must be engineered for the climate in which it will operate over the next 60 years. The BWRX-300 technology offers a solution. It can be configured with a range of heat dissipation systems, including mechanical-draft cooling towers, hybrid cooling and dry cooling. Where mechanical-draft cooling is selected, the plant can avoid the massive natural-draft towers associated with conventional nuclear facilities, which can lower construction costs. Instead of tying every project to the continuous availability of large volumes of river, lake or seawater, the cooling system can be selected to reflect the climate, water conditions and environmental requirements of an individual location. That flexibility is becoming a matter of energy security. A BWRX-300 equipped with dry cooling can reject heat primarily through the air, significantly reducing its operational dependence on river water. This would not make the plant immune to every effect of extreme heat, and site-specific engineering would remain essential. But it could sharply reduce one of the most immediate climate-related threats to Europe’s energy security: the loss of reliable generation when rivers run low or become too warm. The technology also addresses a second, equally important question: how a reactor remains safely cooled if conventional plant systems or external water sources become unavailable. The BWRX-300 uses passive isolation condensers located in dedicated pools within the seismically qualified reactor building. The system can shut down the reactor, remove decay heat and maintain it in a safe condition for seven days without electrical power or operator intervention. The cooling period can be extended by replenishing the isolation-condenser pools. Its core safety functions therefore do …

From low pressure to high pressure, Atlas Copco Rental provides mobile nitrogen generation solutions delivering nitrogen purity levels of up

Together with the already delivered 20 MW electrolyzer, Petrobrazi total green hydrogen capacity reaches 55 MW.

There are moments in geopolitics when a seemingly regional agreement says much more about the state of the world than about the relations between its signatories. The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, signed on August 7, 2026, by Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, is one such moment.

SLB just launched the ExaCT™ electrical downhole coiled tubing control system, an advanced intervention platform that introduces real-time

The National Power System (NPS) on August 20 surpassed the 2,500 MW threshold for new power generation and storage capacities connected to the grid since the beginning of 2026. The 2,500 MW milestone was reached with the grid connection of a new storage system—IS Parau—with a capacity of 76.76 MW/150.288 MWh. These capacities are connected to both the National Power Transmission Grid and the electricity distribution grids and are at various stages of development: ranging from facilities that already hold commercial operating licenses to those currently undergoing internal functional testing and compliance testing. The breakdown by resource type of the installed capacity in 2026, totaling 2,514 MW, is as follows: Hydrocarbons – 20 MW; Wind – 496 MW; Storage – 663 MW; Solar – 1331 MW; Biogas – 5 MW. The connection of these capacities is the result of a sustained effort by transmission and distribution operators, together with investors and developers, in a context where the rapid integration of new generation sources and storage capacities plays a fundamental role in strengthening energy security and increasing the flexibility of the National Power System (NPS). The capacities that have exceeded the 2,500 MW threshold include both new power plants and storage facilities, contributing to the diversification of the energy mix and an increase in the resources available for the operation of the NPS. In the current energy context, characterized by the need to maintain a balance between production and consumption and to integrate an ever-increasing volume of renewable generation capacity, energy storage plays an important role in enhancing the system’s flexibility and maximizing the use of renewable energy. As of August 1, 2026, NPS had a total storage capacity of 989 MW, including both standalone storage facilities and storage capacities integrated into mixed power plants. According to Transelectrica’s estimates, the process of connecting new capacities to the National Power System (NPS) will continue at a steady pace in the coming period, with the involvement and support of all experts within the company, as well as from distribution operators, starting from the preparation phase of the connection process through to the connection to the NPS and the commissioning of the facilities. By the end of 2026, it is estimated that new capacity totaling approximately 1,000 MW from photovoltaic and wind power plants, as well as approximately 1,000 MW from energy storage facilities, will be connected to the grid, in addition to the natural gas-fired generation capacity from the power plants in Mintia and Iernut. Increasing the production and storage capacities available in the National Power System (NPS) is important both for meeting domestic demand and for ensuring the flexibility required by the NPS. Transelectrica prioritizes the safe connection and integration of new capacities into the National Power System (NPS), in close collaboration with distribution operators, investors, developers and the relevant authorities. The company is constantly implementing investment projects to develop transmission infrastructure, which will contribute to the integration of new generation and storage capacities. For the next 10 years, Transelectrica has a National Power Transmission Grid development plan valued at over €2 billion. These investments help increase the resilience of the NPs, strengthen energy security, and prepare and adapt the National Power System for an energy mix with an ever-increasing share of renewable sources.

Submarine cable infrastructure forms the backbone of global digital communications, carrying approximately 97–98% of international internet traffic. Against the backdrop of accelerating digital transformation, growing data volumes, and intensifying geopolitical competition, the security and resilience of these infrastructures have become essential components of the European Union's economic and technological security.

Benchmark gas prices in Europe will need to rise above €100 (US$117) a megawatt-hour in December 2026 for the European countries to rebuild enough inventory to last the winter, according to analysts at the U.S. bank Goldman Sachs Group.

SLB has signed an agreement to acquire Kelvion, a global provider of thermal management and heat exchange technologies. The acquisition strengthens SLB’s Data Center Solutions business with critical thermal management technologies and expands the company’s role in data center infrastructure, which is one of the world’s fastest-growing industrial and technology markets. “AI is driving the most significant infrastructure investment cycle in our lifetime,” said Olivier Le Peuch, Chief Executive Officer of SLB. “This transaction accelerates our ambition to become an industrial technology partner to the data center industry and help customers address the growing infrastructure complexity required to scale AI. Kelvion advances our path toward more integrated data center infrastructure solutions, expands our addressable market — more than doubling our revenue opportunity per gigawatt of delivered capacity — and allows us to scale both our offerings and the global reach of the business.” Founded more than 100 years ago, Kelvion provides thermal management and heat exchange technologies serving data center, energy and industrial markets. Its portfolio spans a broad range of cooling and heat-transfer applications, positioning the company at the intersection of two powerful long-term growth trends: AI infrastructure and energy system transformation. In 2026, Kelvion is expected to generate revenue of approximately $2.3 billion to $2.4 billion and adjusted EBITDA of approximately $350 million to $400 million. Data centers represent Kelvion’s largest and fastest-growing end market, with revenue expected to reach between $1.2 billion and $1.3 billion in 2026. Beyond data centers, Kelvion has established positions in key energy and industrial markets, including heat pumps, renewables, carbon capture and processing solutions where thermal management plays an increasingly important role in efficiency, reliability and performance. SLB’s Data Center Solutions business has grown rapidly over the past few years, with revenue expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) exceeding 90 percent between 2024 and 2026 and delivered capacity expected to surpass 2 gigawatts cumulatively by the end of the year. SLB combines modular manufacturing, offsite construction, engineering, and digital capabilities to deliver data center infrastructure solutions from design to system integration. This modular approach can reduce onsite construction complexity and accelerate time to operation by up to 40%. “Data centers are becoming more sophisticated and energy-intensive, and customers are increasingly looking for partners that can optimize how critical systems work together across the facility and help bring new capacity online faster,” said Gavin Rennick, President of SLB’s New Energy and Industrial business. “Thermal management is central to that challenge, and this acquisition allows us to address it directly by delivering more integrated cooling solutions, accelerating innovation, optimizing thermal efficiency, and more directly embedding thermal management into our modular infrastructure offering.” Under the terms of the agreement, SLB will acquire Kelvion from Apollo-managed funds – the majority owner – and funds advised by Triton, which holds a minority interest, for approximately $3.4 billion in cash and will assume approximately $0.7 billion of debt, representing a total transaction value of approximately 11 times estimated 2026 EBITDA before synergies, or approximately 8.5 times EBITDA including expected annual run-rate synergies. SLB expects the transaction to be accretive to both earnings per share and free cash flow per share in the first 12 months following closing. The company also expects to generate approximately $120 million in annual EBITDA synergies within three years from cost efficiencies and incremental revenue opportunities. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the first half of 2027. Together, SLB and Kelvion are expected to generate more than $2 billion in data center revenue and approximately $300 million in adjusted EBITDA on a pro-forma basis in 2026. Building on that foundation, SLB is targeting revenue of $4.5 billion to $5 billion and adjusted EBITDA of $700 million to $800 million for its combined data center solutions business in 2028. Following the transaction, SLB will retain a strong investment-grade balance sheet with net debt-to-EBITDA ratio remaining within its previously stated through-cycle target of up to 1.5 times. The company also reaffirms its commitment to return more than $4 billion to shareholders in 2026 through dividends and share repurchases. While formal 2027 targets will be finalized as part of the annual planning process, SLB expects total returns to shareholders to be at least in line with 2026 levels. Key points SLB has agreed to acquire Kelvion, a global provider of thermal management and heat exchange technologies, expanding its role across data center infrastructure and strengthening its position in the rapidly growing AI infrastructure market. The acquisition adds critical thermal management capabilities that will help customers improve efficiency, reliability and performance in increasingly complex and energy-intensive data centers. Kelvion advances SLB’s strategy to provide more integrated data center infrastructure solutions by combining cooling technologies with its existing engineering, modular manufacturing, offsite construction and digital capabilities. Beyond data centers, Kelvion has established positions in key energy and industrial markets, including heat pumps, renewables, carbon capture and processing solutions where thermal management plays an increasingly important role in efficiency, reliability and performance. For 2026, SLB’s and Kelvion’s data center businesses are expected to generate more than $2 billion in combined revenue on a pro forma basis, creating a leading platform for long-term growth in AI infrastructure. SLB is targeting revenue of $4.5 billion to $5 billion and adjusted EBITDA of $700 million to $800 million for its combined data center solutions business in 2028.