Transmission

To get the latest on energy storage, market movements, and revenue indices, straight to your inbox every week, sign up the Weekly Dispatch.Want the latest news, analysis, and price indices from power markets around the globe - delivered to your inbox, every week?Sign up for the Weekly Dispatch - Modo Energy's unmissable newsletterThe United States is at a pivotal moment in its energy transition. Massive policy shifts like the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) have unlocked unprecedented levels of clean energy investment, from wind and solar to hydrogen and carbon capture. But ambition alone doesn't build projects the real challenge is how to finance, structure, and deliver gigawatts of new capacity at the speed net zero requires.Tax credits, long-term offtake structures, and regulatory frameworks will determine which projects attract capital and which stall in development. Add in the complexity of interconnection queues, supply chain constraints, and regional market rules, and it's clear that capital deployment in the US clean energy sector is as complex as it is urgent.In this episode of *Transmission*, Quentin speaks with **Chris Taylor, CEO of GridStor**, to explore how capital is flowing into US energy storage, what investors are looking for, and why regulatory clarity is key to unlocking large-scale deployment. They discuss how storage fits into the wider clean energy build-out, and what it will take to turn climate ambition into bankable, shovel-ready projects.Key topics covered include: - How the Inflation Reduction Act is reshaping storage investment in the US.- Why interconnection queues are one of the biggest barriers to deployment.- What investors need to see to back large-scale storage projects.- The balance between federal incentives and private capital.- The impact of tariffs and domestic production incentives on supply chains.About our guestChris Taylor is the CEO of GridStor, a US-based developer focused on large-scale battery energy storage. With a career spanning energy investment, infrastructure, and project development, Chris brings deep expertise in how capital, policy, and technology intersect to accelerate the clean energy transition. At GridStor, he leads efforts to deliver gigawatt-scale storage projects that help balance the grid, integrate renewables, and provide critical flexibility to the power system. His perspective combines hands-on development experience with an investor's eye for risk, regulation, and long-term value creation in the rapidly evolving US energy market. For more information on what GridStor do, head to their [website.](https://gridstor.com/)

To get the latest on energy storage, market movements, and revenue indices, straight to your inbox every week, sign up the Weekly Dispatch.Want the latest news, analysis, and price indices from power markets around the globe - delivered to your inbox, every week?Sign up for the Weekly Dispatch - Modo Energy's unmissable newsletterThe United States is at a pivotal moment in its energy transition. Massive policy shifts like the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) have unlocked unprecedented levels of clean energy investment, from wind and solar to hydrogen and carbon capture. But ambition alone doesn't build projects the real challenge is how to finance, structure, and deliver gigawatts of new capacity at the speed net zero requires.Tax credits, long-term offtake structures, and regulatory frameworks will determine which projects attract capital and which stall in development. Add in the complexity of interconnection queues, supply chain constraints, and regional market rules, and it's clear that capital deployment in the US clean energy sector is as complex as it is urgent.In this episode of *Transmission*, Quentin speaks with **Chris Taylor, CEO of GridStor**, to explore how capital is flowing into US energy storage, what investors are looking for, and why regulatory clarity is key to unlocking large-scale deployment. They discuss how storage fits into the wider clean energy build-out, and what it will take to turn climate ambition into bankable, shovel-ready projects.Key topics covered include: - How the Inflation Reduction Act is reshaping storage investment in the US.- Why interconnection queues are one of the biggest barriers to deployment.- What investors need to see to back large-scale storage projects.- The balance between federal incentives and private capital.- The impact of tariffs and domestic production incentives on supply chains.About our guestChris Taylor is the CEO of GridStor, a US-based developer focused on large-scale battery energy storage. With a career spanning energy investment, infrastructure, and project development, Chris brings deep expertise in how capital, policy, and technology intersect to accelerate the clean energy transition. At GridStor, he leads efforts to deliver gigawatt-scale storage projects that help balance the grid, integrate renewables, and provide critical flexibility to the power system. His perspective combines hands-on development experience with an investor's eye for risk, regulation, and long-term value creation in the rapidly evolving US energy market. For more information on what GridStor do, head to their [website.](https://gridstor.com/)

Want the latest news, analysis, and price indices from power markets around the globe - delivered to your inbox, every week?Sign up for the Weekly Dispatch - Modo Energy's unmissable newsletter.Electric vehicles are no longer a niche technology. Costs are falling, ranges are increasing, and adoption is growing across the UK and beyond. But despite this progress, the EV transition is still battling misinformation, cultural resistance, and outdated narratives that slow down change.The problem isn't just about technology, it's about how the story is told. From charging infrastructure myths to debates over grid capacity, the way we talk about EVs has a direct impact on how fast people adopt them. To accelerate the shift, the industry needs clear communication, positive examples, and a willingness to challenge entrenched scepticism.In this episode of Transmission, Ed is joined by Robert Llewellyn - actor, writer, and founder of Everything Electric - to explore how storytelling, education, and culture are shaping the clean transport revolution. Together, they dig into why better narratives matter just as much as better batteries in driving the shift to zero-carbon mobility. Over the course of the conversation they discuss:⚡ Why EV myths still dominate the conversation and how to challenge them.⚡ The role of media and storytelling in accelerating adoption.⚡ How charging infrastructure is developing faster than public perception.⚡ Why the grid can cope with electrification and what still needs work.⚡ What's next for EV culture as the transition goes mainstream.About our guestRobert Llewellyn is an actor, writer, presenter, and the creator of Everything Electric, one of the world's leading channels dedicated to electric vehicles and clean energy. Best known to many as Kryten from Red Dwarf and host of Scrapheap Challenge, Robert has become a driving force in the public conversation around electrification and sustainability. Through Everything Electric (and Fully Charged before it), he has built a global platform that champions EV adoption, renewable power, and smarter energy systems making complex topics accessible and inspiring millions to engage with the transition to net zero. Find Robert on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-llewellyn-0a43992b/?originalSubdomain=ukAbout Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work.

Want the latest news, analysis, and price indices from power markets around the globe - delivered to your inbox, every week?Sign up for the Weekly Dispatch - Modo Energy's unmissable newsletter.Electric vehicles are no longer a niche technology. Costs are falling, ranges are increasing, and adoption is growing across the UK and beyond. But despite this progress, the EV transition is still battling misinformation, cultural resistance, and outdated narratives that slow down change.The problem isn't just about technology, it's about how the story is told. From charging infrastructure myths to debates over grid capacity, the way we talk about EVs has a direct impact on how fast people adopt them. To accelerate the shift, the industry needs clear communication, positive examples, and a willingness to challenge entrenched scepticism.In this episode of Transmission, Ed is joined by Robert Llewellyn - actor, writer, and founder of Everything Electric - to explore how storytelling, education, and culture are shaping the clean transport revolution. Together, they dig into why better narratives matter just as much as better batteries in driving the shift to zero-carbon mobility. Over the course of the conversation they discuss:⚡ Why EV myths still dominate the conversation and how to challenge them.⚡ The role of media and storytelling in accelerating adoption.⚡ How charging infrastructure is developing faster than public perception.⚡ Why the grid can cope with electrification and what still needs work.⚡ What's next for EV culture as the transition goes mainstream.About our guestRobert Llewellyn is an actor, writer, presenter, and the creator of Everything Electric, one of the world's leading channels dedicated to electric vehicles and clean energy. Best known to many as Kryten from Red Dwarf and host of Scrapheap Challenge, Robert has become a driving force in the public conversation around electrification and sustainability. Through Everything Electric (and Fully Charged before it), he has built a global platform that champions EV adoption, renewable power, and smarter energy systems making complex topics accessible and inspiring millions to engage with the transition to net zero. Find Robert on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-llewellyn-0a43992b/?originalSubdomain=ukAbout Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work.

The energy grid is facing a new kind of challenge: enormous, fast-arriving demand from hyperscale data centres, driven by AI and digitalisation. These “giga-campuses” are no longer talking about tens of megawatts they're applying for a gigawatt of capacity in a single location.That's the same scale of demand Portugal expects to add across the entire country over a decade - now requested in one UK town. For National Grid, developers, and policymakers, the question is urgent: how do you connect this demand without waiting 15 years for traditional reinforcements? It is increasingly clear that the future of large-scale demand isn't just about building faster, it's about building smarter. Flexible connections, real-time load management, and accurate grid modelling will be essential to connect AI-era demand without crippling the network or wasting resources.In this episode of Transmission, Ed sits down with Paul Manning, Commercial Director at Novogrid, about how real-time data and control can transform grid operations. From improving renewable integration to reducing connection delays, they explore the technology, market design, and operational shifts needed to build a more dynamic and efficient electricity system. ⚡ Why hyperscale data centres break the old rules for grid planning and capacity allocation.⚡The bottleneck: why firm connections could delay projects for over a decade.⚡ Flexible (non-firm) connections as a faster route and what this means for data centre operations.⚡ How to align computational load with grid availability to avoid stranded assets and wasted capacity.⚡ The role of grid analytics in de-risking curtailment and speeding up the transitionAbout the GuestPaul Manning is Co-Founder and Commercial Director at Novogrid, a grid analytics company acquired by Danish energy services firm Opora. Novagrid specialises in modelling the energy grid and helping clients plan projects from “time zero” before a single cable is laid, to secure the best possible connection strategy. For more information, check out their website. About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work. Sign up to the Modo Energy Weekly Dispatch for expert insights on energy storage, market shifts, and policy updates - delivered straight to your inbox every week.

The energy grid is facing a new kind of challenge: enormous, fast-arriving demand from hyperscale data centres, driven by AI and digitalisation. These “giga-campuses” are no longer talking about tens of megawatts they're applying for a gigawatt of capacity in a single location.That's the same scale of demand Portugal expects to add across the entire country over a decade - now requested in one UK town. For National Grid, developers, and policymakers, the question is urgent: how do you connect this demand without waiting 15 years for traditional reinforcements? It is increasingly clear that the future of large-scale demand isn't just about building faster, it's about building smarter. Flexible connections, real-time load management, and accurate grid modelling will be essential to connect AI-era demand without crippling the network or wasting resources.In this episode of Transmission, Ed sits down with Paul Manning, Commercial Director at Novogrid, about how real-time data and control can transform grid operations. From improving renewable integration to reducing connection delays, they explore the technology, market design, and operational shifts needed to build a more dynamic and efficient electricity system. ⚡ Why hyperscale data centres break the old rules for grid planning and capacity allocation.⚡The bottleneck: why firm connections could delay projects for over a decade.⚡ Flexible (non-firm) connections as a faster route and what this means for data centre operations.⚡ How to align computational load with grid availability to avoid stranded assets and wasted capacity.⚡ The role of grid analytics in de-risking curtailment and speeding up the transitionAbout the GuestPaul Manning is Co-Founder and Commercial Director at Novogrid, a grid analytics company acquired by Danish energy services firm Opora. Novagrid specialises in modelling the energy grid and helping clients plan projects from “time zero” before a single cable is laid, to secure the best possible connection strategy. For more information, check out their website. About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work. Sign up to the Modo Energy Weekly Dispatch for expert insights on energy storage, market shifts, and policy updates - delivered straight to your inbox every week.

The UK's clean energy ambitions depend on more than just building wind farms and solar arrays they rely on the systems and schemes that decide how those projects connect to the grid and how they sell their power.From the long-established Contracts for Difference (CfD) auctions to the upcoming Clean Power 30 reforms, the rules and incentives that have shaped renewable deployment are now under pressure. With the volume of projects in the pipeline and 2030 targets approaching fast, the question is whether these mechanisms are fit for today's pace of change.Without changes to connection processes and offtake frameworks, gigawatts of clean energy could stay stuck in the queue, missing climate deadlines and adding costs. Reforming these systems is critical to delivering the UK's 2030 decarbonisation goals.In this special Transmission × Energy Revolution Podcast crossover, Sulaiman Ilyas-Jarrett, who has worked at the heart of government energy policy joins Modo Energy's Ed Porter to explore: How today's grid connection schemes work and where delays are building up. The role CfDs have played in accelerating renewables, and the limitations they now face.What Clean Power 30 could mean for developers, investors, and the wider market. The balance between speed, fairness, and system stability in connecting new generation. Lessons from inside government on designing schemes that actually deliver.About our guestSulaiman Ilyas-Jarrett is a recognised leader in energy and climate policy. Formerly Head of Policy and Strategy for Renewable Delivery at the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and a Policy Fellow at the University of Cambridge, he brings deep expertise in renewable energy systems, market design, and policy innovation. With a career spanning government, academia, and climate advocacy, Sulaiman has shaped strategies to accelerate the energy transition and unlock renewable deployment at scale.Connect with Sulaiman on LinkedInAbout Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work. Sign up to the Modo Energy Weekly Dispatch for expert insights on energy storage, market shifts, and policy updates - delivered straight to your inbox every week.

The UK's clean energy ambitions depend on more than just building wind farms and solar arrays they rely on the systems and schemes that decide how those projects connect to the grid and how they sell their power.From the long-established Contracts for Difference (CfD) auctions to the upcoming Clean Power 30 reforms, the rules and incentives that have shaped renewable deployment are now under pressure. With the volume of projects in the pipeline and 2030 targets approaching fast, the question is whether these mechanisms are fit for today's pace of change.Without changes to connection processes and offtake frameworks, gigawatts of clean energy could stay stuck in the queue, missing climate deadlines and adding costs. Reforming these systems is critical to delivering the UK's 2030 decarbonisation goals.In this special Transmission × Energy Revolution Podcast crossover, Sulaiman Ilyas-Jarrett, who has worked at the heart of government energy policy joins Modo Energy's Ed Porter to explore: How today's grid connection schemes work and where delays are building up. The role CfDs have played in accelerating renewables, and the limitations they now face.What Clean Power 30 could mean for developers, investors, and the wider market. The balance between speed, fairness, and system stability in connecting new generation. Lessons from inside government on designing schemes that actually deliver.About our guestSulaiman Ilyas-Jarrett is a recognised leader in energy and climate policy. Formerly Head of Policy and Strategy for Renewable Delivery at the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and a Policy Fellow at the University of Cambridge, he brings deep expertise in renewable energy systems, market design, and policy innovation. With a career spanning government, academia, and climate advocacy, Sulaiman has shaped strategies to accelerate the energy transition and unlock renewable deployment at scale.Connect with Sulaiman on LinkedInAbout Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work. Sign up to the Modo Energy Weekly Dispatch for expert insights on energy storage, market shifts, and policy updates - delivered straight to your inbox every week.

Solar has never been cheaper, cleaner, or more popular. Across rooftops, fields, and industrial sites, it's quietly reshaping the UK's energy mix. But momentum alone isn't enough. Without faster grid connections, streamlined planning, and a stable policy environment, the UK risks falling far short of its solar ambitions.The technology is proven, the economics are compelling, and the public is on board. What's missing is the speed and scale of deployment needed to hit net zero targets. The next phase for UK solar isn't about invention, it's about removing bottlenecks, integrating storage, and creating the right conditions for investors to back projects at pace.In this episode of Transmission, Ed is joined by Chris Hewett, Chief Executive of Solar Energy UK, to unpack the challenges and opportunities facing the sector, and outline how the UK can shift from incremental growth to a genuine solar surge.Over the conversation, they discuss: Why solar's rapid cost reductions haven't guaranteed rapid deploymentThe grid connection backlog and how to fix it How co-location with storage can unlock more capacity Why planning reform is critical for utility-scale solar The role of investor confidence in hitting solar deployment targetsAbout our guestChris Hewett is the Chief Executive of Solar Energy UK, the trade association representing the UK's solar and energy storage industries. With years of experience in policy, advocacy, and the renewable energy sector, Chris is at the forefront of shaping the market conditions needed for solar to thrive. He works closely with government, industry, and stakeholders to unlock barriers to deployment, promote co-location with storage, and accelerate the UK's transition to a low-carbon power system. His insight spans everything from market growth trends to the regulatory reforms essential for scaling solar at pace. For more information - head to the Solar Energy UK website. About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work. Sign up to the Modo Energy Weekly Dispatch for expert insights on energy storage, market shifts, and policy updates - delivered straight to your inbox every week.

Solar has never been cheaper, cleaner, or more popular. Across rooftops, fields, and industrial sites, it's quietly reshaping the UK's energy mix. But momentum alone isn't enough. Without faster grid connections, streamlined planning, and a stable policy environment, the UK risks falling far short of its solar ambitions.The technology is proven, the economics are compelling, and the public is on board. What's missing is the speed and scale of deployment needed to hit net zero targets. The next phase for UK solar isn't about invention, it's about removing bottlenecks, integrating storage, and creating the right conditions for investors to back projects at pace.In this episode of Transmission, Ed is joined by Chris Hewett, Chief Executive of Solar Energy UK, to unpack the challenges and opportunities facing the sector, and outline how the UK can shift from incremental growth to a genuine solar surge.Over the conversation, they discuss: Why solar's rapid cost reductions haven't guaranteed rapid deploymentThe grid connection backlog and how to fix it How co-location with storage can unlock more capacity Why planning reform is critical for utility-scale solar The role of investor confidence in hitting solar deployment targetsAbout our guestChris Hewett is the Chief Executive of Solar Energy UK, the trade association representing the UK's solar and energy storage industries. With years of experience in policy, advocacy, and the renewable energy sector, Chris is at the forefront of shaping the market conditions needed for solar to thrive. He works closely with government, industry, and stakeholders to unlock barriers to deployment, promote co-location with storage, and accelerate the UK's transition to a low-carbon power system. His insight spans everything from market growth trends to the regulatory reforms essential for scaling solar at pace. For more information - head to the Solar Energy UK website. About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work. Sign up to the Modo Energy Weekly Dispatch for expert insights on energy storage, market shifts, and policy updates - delivered straight to your inbox every week.

We already have many solutions needed to decarbonise the grid, wind, solar, storage, and electrification solutions are proven and ready to go. But the real challenge now is speed: getting these technologies into the market, at scale, in a way that works for consumers, industry, and the grid.It's about optimising what we already have, removing bottlenecks, and aligning the policy, regulation, and market frameworks that will allow these solutions to flourish. From integrating heat pumps at pace to rethinking the incentives that drive investment, the next decade will be defined by how quickly we can turn ambition into delivery.In this episode of Transmission, Guy Newey, Chief Executive of Energy Systems Catapult, joins Ed to explore where the UK's focus should be, how to overcome the biggest barriers to scale, and why putting consumers at the heart of system design is critical to net zero success.key topics covered:Why innovation, not just new inventions, will determine net zero timelines.How to integrate more heat pumps into the energy system at pace.The role of consumer-centric design in decarbonising homes and transport.What market reforms mean for investment and innovation in GB. Where policy and industry alignment is critical to scaling proven tech.About our guestsGuy Newey is Chief Executive of Energy Systems Catapult, the UK's innovation centre dedicated to accelerating the transition to net zero. With a career spanning government policy, think tank leadership, and industry strategy, Guy has worked at the heart of the UK's clean energy transformation. He brings deep expertise in how markets, regulation, and innovation interact and how to turn proven technology into system-wide change. At Energy Systems Catapult, he leads efforts to design, test, and scale the solutions that will decarbonise heat, power, and transport while keeping consumers at the centre of the transition. For more information on what Energy Systems Catapult do - head to their website.About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work. Sign up to the Modo Energy Weekly Dispatch for expert insights on energy storage, market shifts, and policy updates - delivered straight to your inbox every week.

We already have many solutions needed to decarbonise the grid, wind, solar, storage, and electrification solutions are proven and ready to go. But the real challenge now is speed: getting these technologies into the market, at scale, in a way that works for consumers, industry, and the grid.It's about optimising what we already have, removing bottlenecks, and aligning the policy, regulation, and market frameworks that will allow these solutions to flourish. From integrating heat pumps at pace to rethinking the incentives that drive investment, the next decade will be defined by how quickly we can turn ambition into delivery.In this episode of Transmission, Guy Newey, Chief Executive of Energy Systems Catapult, joins Ed to explore where the UK's focus should be, how to overcome the biggest barriers to scale, and why putting consumers at the heart of system design is critical to net zero success.key topics covered:Why innovation, not just new inventions, will determine net zero timelines.How to integrate more heat pumps into the energy system at pace.The role of consumer-centric design in decarbonising homes and transport.What market reforms mean for investment and innovation in GB. Where policy and industry alignment is critical to scaling proven tech.About our guestsGuy Newey is Chief Executive of Energy Systems Catapult, the UK's innovation centre dedicated to accelerating the transition to net zero. With a career spanning government policy, think tank leadership, and industry strategy, Guy has worked at the heart of the UK's clean energy transformation. He brings deep expertise in how markets, regulation, and innovation interact and how to turn proven technology into system-wide change. At Energy Systems Catapult, he leads efforts to design, test, and scale the solutions that will decarbonise heat, power, and transport while keeping consumers at the centre of the transition. For more information on what Energy Systems Catapult do - head to their website.About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work. Sign up to the Modo Energy Weekly Dispatch for expert insights on energy storage, market shifts, and policy updates - delivered straight to your inbox every week.

Billions in private capital are looking to back clean energy in Australia. But connecting those dollars to real projects isn't as simple as it sounds.From shifting policy environments to underdeveloped contracting models, developers and investors are navigating a fast-evolving energy landscape. Getting projects built, whether transmission, generation, or storage, requires more than just a good business case. It demands the right financial structures, policy clarity, and risk-sharing mechanisms.In this episode of Transmission, Belinda Cogswell, Partner at EY's Energy Lead Advisory team, joins Wendel to unpack what's working and what's holding things back when it comes to financing Australia's energy transition. Over the course of the conversation, they discuss:⚡ Why financial advisory has become central to delivering energy transition infrastructure.Belinda's role in the recently launched Waratah Super Battery Project. What's missing in contracting models for large-scale renewables and storage. How to structure deals in the face of market reform, volatility, and rising complexity. Why better alignment between public and private capital is critical to net zero timelines. About our guestBelinda Cogswell is a Partner in EY's Energy Lead Advisory team, where she advises on the financing and structuring of major energy transition projects across Australia. With a background that spans investment banking, infrastructure advisory, and public sector experience in the New South Wales government, Belinda works at the intersection of policy, private capital, and commercial delivery.About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work. Sign up to the Modo Energy Weekly Dispatch for expert insights on energy storage, market shifts, and policy updates - delivered straight to your inbox every week. #BatteryStorage #EnergyStorage #GridScaleBatteries #AustraliaEnergyMarket #RenewableEnergy #EnergyTransition #FinancingRenewables #BatteryProjects #NetZero #CapacityInvestmentScheme #MerchantRisk #WaratahSuperBattery

Billions in private capital are looking to back clean energy in Australia. But connecting those dollars to real projects isn't as simple as it sounds.From shifting policy environments to underdeveloped contracting models, developers and investors are navigating a fast-evolving energy landscape. Getting projects built, whether transmission, generation, or storage, requires more than just a good business case. It demands the right financial structures, policy clarity, and risk-sharing mechanisms.In this episode of Transmission, Belinda Cogswell, Partner at EY's Energy Lead Advisory team, joins Wendel to unpack what's working and what's holding things back when it comes to financing Australia's energy transition. Over the course of the conversation, they discuss:⚡ Why financial advisory has become central to delivering energy transition infrastructure.Belinda's role in the recently launched Waratah Super Battery Project. What's missing in contracting models for large-scale renewables and storage. How to structure deals in the face of market reform, volatility, and rising complexity. Why better alignment between public and private capital is critical to net zero timelines. About our guestBelinda Cogswell is a Partner in EY's Energy Lead Advisory team, where she advises on the financing and structuring of major energy transition projects across Australia. With a background that spans investment banking, infrastructure advisory, and public sector experience in the New South Wales government, Belinda works at the intersection of policy, private capital, and commercial delivery.About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work. Sign up to the Modo Energy Weekly Dispatch for expert insights on energy storage, market shifts, and policy updates - delivered straight to your inbox every week. #BatteryStorage #EnergyStorage #GridScaleBatteries #AustraliaEnergyMarket #RenewableEnergy #EnergyTransition #FinancingRenewables #BatteryProjects #NetZero #CapacityInvestmentScheme #MerchantRisk #WaratahSuperBattery

As the grid decarbonises, our need for flexible, affordable, and longer-duration energy storage is growing fast. But are we overlooking some of the best tools for the job?Whilst lithium-ion and pumped hydro dominate the energy storage conversation, thermal energy storage offers a low-cost, scalable alternative that could complement renewables at massive scale.Explore how pumped thermal energy storage works, what makes it commercially compelling, and why it deserves more attention in the conversation around grid flexibility and net zero. In this episode, Alexis Dole, CTO at SynchroStor, joins Quentin. Over the course of the conversation they discuss: What sets thermal energy storage apart from alternatives like lithium-ion and pumped hydro. Why Synchrostor is betting on crushed rock and heat cycles over batteries. The storage challenge: balancing duration, cost, efficiency, and scale. How to design storage for real-world flexibility - not just peak shaving. Why the market undervalues long-duration storage and how that's starting to shift.About our GuestAlexis Dole is Chief Technology Officer at Synchrostor, a UK-based company developing pumped thermal energy storage solutions. With a background in mechanical and energy systems engineering, Alexis leads the development of novel long-duration storage technologies designed to integrate clean energy more effectively into the grid. For more information on SynchrStore - head to their website. About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work. Sign up to the Modo Energy Weekly Dispatch for expert insights on energy storage, market shifts, and policy updates - delivered straight to your inbox every week.

As the grid decarbonises, our need for flexible, affordable, and longer-duration energy storage is growing fast. But are we overlooking some of the best tools for the job?Whilst lithium-ion and pumped hydro dominate the energy storage conversation, thermal energy storage offers a low-cost, scalable alternative that could complement renewables at massive scale.Explore how pumped thermal energy storage works, what makes it commercially compelling, and why it deserves more attention in the conversation around grid flexibility and net zero. In this episode, Alexis Dole, CTO at SynchroStor, joins Quentin. Over the course of the conversation they discuss: What sets thermal energy storage apart from alternatives like lithium-ion and pumped hydro. Why Synchrostor is betting on crushed rock and heat cycles over batteries. The storage challenge: balancing duration, cost, efficiency, and scale. How to design storage for real-world flexibility - not just peak shaving. Why the market undervalues long-duration storage and how that's starting to shift.About our GuestAlexis Dole is Chief Technology Officer at Synchrostor, a UK-based company developing pumped thermal energy storage solutions. With a background in mechanical and energy systems engineering, Alexis leads the development of novel long-duration storage technologies designed to integrate clean energy more effectively into the grid. For more information on SynchrStore - head to their website. About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work. Sign up to the Modo Energy Weekly Dispatch for expert insights on energy storage, market shifts, and policy updates - delivered straight to your inbox every week.

As wind and solar ramp up in Europe and Great Britain, one thing becomes clear - clean energy works better when it's connected. Interconnectors are high capacity cables linking electricity grids between countries, and are critical to making the most of renewable power. They help move surplus wind across borders, balance supply and demand in real time, and can help reduce costs for consumers. The more we build, the more efficiently we can use clean energy across the whole of the UK and Europe.In this episode of Transmission, Rebecca Sedler, Managing Director of Interconnectors at National Grid, joins Ed to explain how these workhorses of the energy system operate and why they're set to play an even bigger role in the future grid.Over the conversation, we'll explore:• How interconnectors enable cross-border power flows and real-time system balancing.• How the UK moves electricity in and out of Europe in real time.• The role of interconnectors in reducing curtailment and maximising renewable asset utilisation.• Market coupling, price convergence, and the impact on system cost and consumer bills.• How projects like LionLink could help build a North Sea power grid.About our guestRebecca Sedler is Managing Director of Interconnectors at National Grid, where she leads the team responsible for the UK's network of subsea links with Europe. With a background in energy trading and commercial strategy, she brings a systems-wide perspective to one of the most complex and essential pieces of our future electricity infrastructure. For more information head to the National Grid website. About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work. Sign up to the Modo Energy Weekly Dispatch for expert insights on energy storage, market shifts, and policy updates - delivered straight to your inbox every week.

As wind and solar ramp up in Europe and Great Britain, one thing becomes clear - clean energy works better when it's connected. Interconnectors are high capacity cables linking electricity grids between countries, and are critical to making the most of renewable power. They help move surplus wind across borders, balance supply and demand in real time, and can help reduce costs for consumers. The more we build, the more efficiently we can use clean energy across the whole of the UK and Europe.In this episode of Transmission, Rebecca Sedler, Managing Director of Interconnectors at National Grid, joins Ed to explain how these workhorses of the energy system operate and why they're set to play an even bigger role in the future grid.Over the conversation, we'll explore:• How interconnectors enable cross-border power flows and real-time system balancing.• How the UK moves electricity in and out of Europe in real time.• The role of interconnectors in reducing curtailment and maximising renewable asset utilisation.• Market coupling, price convergence, and the impact on system cost and consumer bills.• How projects like LionLink could help build a North Sea power grid.About our guestRebecca Sedler is Managing Director of Interconnectors at National Grid, where she leads the team responsible for the UK's network of subsea links with Europe. With a background in energy trading and commercial strategy, she brings a systems-wide perspective to one of the most complex and essential pieces of our future electricity infrastructure. For more information head to the National Grid website. About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work. Sign up to the Modo Energy Weekly Dispatch for expert insights on energy storage, market shifts, and policy updates - delivered straight to your inbox every week.

As renewables dominate more of the UK grid, the role of gas is being fundamentally redefined.
It's no longer the workhorse it once was, but we're still going to need a lot of it. Even if gas makes up just 5% of electricity generation by 2030, we could still need around 35GW of capacity to back up wind and solar when the weather doesn't play ball. Transitioning from today's two-shift, baseload model to one that acts more like a strategic reserve in an intermittent, renewables-driven system. In this episode of Transmission, Tom Glover, UK Country Chair for RWE, joins the podcast to explore the future of gas in a net-zero electricity system, the realities of hydrogen and CCS retrofits, and what it will take to revive onshore wind in Great Britain.

Key topics include:Why the UK still needs 35GW of gas capacity, even as generation declines.What hydrogen and CCS really mean for the future of thermal plants.How gas is shifting from a baseload resource to a flexibility reserve.Why market design and investment signals must evolve for net zero.What's holding back UK onshore wind and how to fix it.About our guestTom Glover is the UK Country Chair at RWE, which operates Britain's largest power generation fleet. With more than two decades of experience in the energy sector, Tom brings a wide-angle view of how the UK's electricity system is changing from fossil fuels to renewables, and everything in between. He also chairs RWE's UK renewables business and holds board roles at Energy UK and the Carbon Capture and Storage Association, making him a key voice in the country's energy transition conversation.About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work. Sign up to the Modo Energy Weekly Dispatch for expert insights on energy storage, market shifts, and policy updates - delivered straight to your inbox every week.

As renewables dominate more of the UK grid, the role of gas is being fundamentally redefined.
It's no longer the workhorse it once was, but we're still going to need a lot of it. Even if gas makes up just 5% of electricity generation by 2030, we could still need around 35GW of capacity to back up wind and solar when the weather doesn't play ball. Transitioning from today's two-shift, baseload model to one that acts more like a strategic reserve in an intermittent, renewables-driven system. In this episode of Transmission, Tom Glover, UK Country Chair for RWE, joins the podcast to explore the future of gas in a net-zero electricity system, the realities of hydrogen and CCS retrofits, and what it will take to revive onshore wind in Great Britain.

Key topics include:Why the UK still needs 35GW of gas capacity, even as generation declines.What hydrogen and CCS really mean for the future of thermal plants.How gas is shifting from a baseload resource to a flexibility reserve.Why market design and investment signals must evolve for net zero.What's holding back UK onshore wind and how to fix it.About our guestTom Glover is the UK Country Chair at RWE, which operates Britain's largest power generation fleet. With more than two decades of experience in the energy sector, Tom brings a wide-angle view of how the UK's electricity system is changing from fossil fuels to renewables, and everything in between. He also chairs RWE's UK renewables business and holds board roles at Energy UK and the Carbon Capture and Storage Association, making him a key voice in the country's energy transition conversation.About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work. Sign up to the Modo Energy Weekly Dispatch for expert insights on energy storage, market shifts, and policy updates - delivered straight to your inbox every week.

As battery energy storage scales across Great Britain, the commercial model behind each project is becoming as critical as the technology itself. For developers, investors, and offtakers, securing the right revenue structure is key to unlocking finance, managing risk, and delivering bankable returns.With revenue streams coming from a mix of merchant markets, capacity schemes, and ancillary service, navigating this environment requires a clear understanding of how different route-to-market structures allocate risk and reward. As capital becomes more selective, contract structure is now a core driver of whether projects progress or stall.In this episode, Ed is joined by Victoria Upton, European Power Originator at bp. Over the conversation they discuss: Why tolling agreements are becoming a go-to model for de-risking battery revenues.How the optimiser you choose can make or break your floor contract returns.What virtual battery swaps offer as a flexible, asset-free hedging tool.The implications of co-locating solar and storage.How splitting large batteries into multiple BMUs unlocks revenue and control.About our guestVictoria Upton is a Power Originator at bp, working at the intersection of energy trading and commercial structuring for low-carbon assets. With deep experience in route-to-market strategies, Victoria plays a key role in developing and executing commercial models for battery storage and renewable energy projects across Great Britain and Europe.About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work. Sign up to the Modo Energy Weekly Dispatch for expert insights on energy storage, market shifts, and policy updates - delivered straight to your inbox every week.

As battery energy storage scales across Great Britain, the commercial model behind each project is becoming as critical as the technology itself. For developers, investors, and offtakers, securing the right revenue structure is key to unlocking finance, managing risk, and delivering bankable returns.With revenue streams coming from a mix of merchant markets, capacity schemes, and ancillary services -navigating this environment requires a clear understanding of how different route-to-market structures allocate risk and reward. As capital becomes more selective, contract structure is now a core driver of whether projects progress or stall.In this episode, Ed is joined by Victoria Upton, European Power Originator at bp. Over the conversation they discuss: Why tolling agreements are becoming a go-to model for de-risking battery revenues.How the optimiser you choose can make or break your floor contract returns.What virtual battery swaps offer as a flexible, asset-free hedging tool.The implications of co-locating solar and storage.How splitting large batteries into multiple BMUs unlocks revenue and control.About our guestVictoria Upton is a Power Originator at bp, working at the intersection of energy trading and commercial structuring for low-carbon assets. With deep experience in route-to-market strategies, Victoria plays a key role in developing and executing commercial models for battery storage and renewable energy projects across Great Britain and Europe.About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work. Sign up to the Modo Energy Weekly Dispatch for expert insights on energy storage, market shifts, and policy updates - delivered straight to your inbox every week.

The shift from traditional fuels to electricity presents one of the biggest infrastructure challenges of the energy transition. For industries like haulage, shipping, and logistics, accessing and managing gigawatt-scale electrical connections isn't just difficult, it's often the main barrier to progress.Delivering timely, affordable, and scalable access to power is critical for accelerating electrification and enabling hard-to-abate sectors to decarbonise at pace.In this episode of Transmission, Ed is joined by Mikey Clark, CEO of Reload Energy, to explore how the company's “power parks” aim to solve this challenge by bringing grid-scale electricity access to where it's needed most. From siting strategy to connection reform and workforce shortages, they dive into the infrastructure puzzle that underpins net zero.Key topics include:Why hard-to-abate sectors are struggling to secure large-scale grid connections.How Reload Energy is unlocking gigawatt-scale access through its power park model.The logic behind co-locating energy and freight infrastructure.How grid delays, planning, and skills shortages are slowing delivery.Why fleet electrification could scale faster than expected and what's needed to enable it.About our guestMikey Clark is the CEO of Reload Energy .Before founding Reload, Mikey co-founded Pivot Power, where he led the development of a 2GW battery storage network that was ultimately acquired by EDF Renewables.He has worked across infrastructure, R&D, and grid-scale storage. At Reload, he's focused on solving one of the most urgent challenges in the energy transition: how to connect new, high-demand users like HGV fleets, ports, and data centres to gigawatt-scale electricity, quickly and affordably.About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work. Sign up to the Modo Energy Weekly Dispatch for expert insights on energy storage, market shifts, and policy updates - delivered straight to your inbox every week.

The shift from traditional fuels to electricity presents one of the biggest infrastructure challenges of the energy transition. For industries like haulage, shipping, and logistics, accessing and managing gigawatt-scale electrical connections isn't just difficult, it's often the main barrier to progress.Delivering timely, affordable, and scalable access to power is critical for accelerating electrification and enabling hard-to-abate sectors to decarbonise at pace.In this episode of Transmission, Ed is joined by Mikey Clark, CEO of Relode, to explore how the company's “power parks” aim to solve this challenge by bringing grid-scale electricity access to where it's needed most. From siting strategy to connection reform and workforce shortages, they dive into the infrastructure puzzle that underpins net zero.Key topics include:Why hard-to-abate sectors are struggling to secure large-scale grid connections.How Reload Energy is unlocking gigawatt-scale access through its power park model.The logic behind co-locating energy and freight infrastructure.How grid delays, planning, and skills shortages are slowing delivery.Why fleet electrification could scale faster than expected and what's needed to enable it.About our guestMikey Clark is the CEO of Relode .Before founding Relode, Mikey co-founded Pivot Power, where he led the development of a 2GW battery storage network that was ultimately acquired by EDF Renewables.He has worked across infrastructure, R&D, and grid-scale storage. At Relode, he's focused on solving one of the most urgent challenges in the energy transition: how to connect new, high-demand users like HGV fleets, ports, and data centres to gigawatt-scale electricity, quickly and affordably.About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work. Sign up to the Modo Energy Weekly Dispatch for expert insights on energy storage, market shifts, and policy updates - delivered straight to your inbox every week.

Getting battery energy storage systems built isn't just an engineering challenge - it's a financial one. While the technology is ready and the pipeline is booming, getting these projects financed remains one of the biggest challenges in the market.From navigating merchant risk to structuring offtake agreements, financing a grid-scale battery project is a high-stakes balancing act.In this episode of Transmission, Harrison Moore, Partner at Azure Capital, joins Wendel to unpack the financial side of energy storage in Australia, what's working, what's not, and what's needed next.Over the conversation, they discuss: The key steps and common roadblocks in financing battery project.How different commercial models impact bankability and investor interest.The growing appetite (and caution) from equity and debt providers.How policy shifts like the Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) are influencing deal flow.Whether the Australian market has enough capital and advisory depth to keep up with demand.About our guestHarrison Moore is a Partner at Azure Capital, where he leads the firm's work in energy and renewables. With over a decade of experience advising on mergers, acquisitions, and capital raising, Harrison specialises in structuring and financing large-scale infrastructure projects, particularly battery energy storage systems. His team has supported transactions totalling over 10GW of battery capacity, helping navigate the commercial, technical, and regulatory challenges that come with building grid-scale flexibility in Australia. About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work. Sign up to the Modo Energy Weekly Dispatch for expert insights on energy storage, market shifts, and policy updates - delivered straight to your inbox every week. https://share-eu1.hsforms.com/1kDKOqrBjTpGU82n__HV7dQexu3k

Getting battery energy storage systems built isn't just an engineering challenge - it's a financial one. While the technology is ready and the pipeline is booming, getting these projects financed remains one of the biggest challenges in the market.From navigating merchant risk to structuring offtake agreements, financing a grid-scale battery project is a high-stakes balancing act.In this episode of Transmission, Harrison Moore, Partner at Azure Capital, joins Wendel to unpack the financial side of energy storage in Australia, what's working, what's not, and what's needed next.Over the conversation, they discuss: The key steps and common roadblocks in financing battery project.How different commercial models impact bankability and investor interest.The growing appetite (and caution) from equity and debt providers.How policy shifts like the Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) are influencing deal flow.Whether the Australian market has enough capital and advisory depth to keep up with demand.About our guestHarrison Moore is a Partner at Azure Capital, where he leads the firm's work in energy and renewables. With over a decade of experience advising on mergers, acquisitions, and capital raising, Harrison specialises in structuring and financing large-scale infrastructure projects, particularly battery energy storage systems. His team has supported transactions totalling over 10GW of battery capacity, helping navigate the commercial, technical, and regulatory challenges that come with building grid-scale flexibility in Australia. About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work. Sign up to the Modo Energy Weekly Dispatch for expert insights on energy storage, market shifts, and policy updates - delivered straight to your inbox every week. https://share-eu1.hsforms.com/1kDKOqrBjTpGU82n__HV7dQexu3k

As the UK accelerates its transition to a net-zero electricity system, the challenge of maintaining grid stability is growing. 
A key part of a balanced system is large-scale, long-duration flexibility: assets that can store energy when it's abundant and release it when it's needed most.But much of the capacity that can provide it already exists. One of the most mature and proven forms of energy storage - pumped hydro is able to deliver gigawatts of power in seconds, store energy for hours, and provide inertia and frequency response that batteries alone can't match. Despite being decades old, they remain some of the fastest, most reliable, and highest-capacity tools for balancing supply and demand. In a world aiming for net zero, understanding and upgrading these assets is no longer optional, it's essential.In this episode, Delphine Chérel-Sparham - Engie's Managing Director of Hydro UK joins Ed Porter to discuss how ENGIE is breathing new life into two of the UK's most iconic pumped storage assets: Dinorwig and Ffestiniog. Over the conversation, they discuss:
Why pumped hydro remains unmatched for long-duration storage and grid inertia.How ENGIE is modernising vast underground infrastructure.The role of fast-responding, synchronous machines in providing inertia and flexibility to the grid.How repowering legacy assets creates headroom for more renewables on the system.Delphine's engineering journey and her advice for young people considering careers in energy infrastructure.About our guestDelphine is Managing Director of ENGIE's pumped hydro business, where she leads the strategy, operations, and refurbishment of some of Europe's most iconic energy infrastructure. With over 30 years' experience in the energy sector, Delphine has worked across gas, LNG, oil, and renewables. Today, she's focused on revitalising legacy pumped hydro assets like Dinorwig and Ffestiniog, to support the evolving needs of a flexible, decarbonised grid.About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work. Sign up to the Modo Energy Weekly Dispatch for expert insights on energy storage, market shifts, and policy updates - delivered straight to your inbox every week.

As the UK accelerates its transition to a net-zero electricity system, the challenge of maintaining grid stability is growing. 
A key part of a balanced system is large-scale, long-duration flexibility: assets that can store energy when it's abundant and release it when it's needed most.But much of the capacity that can provide it already exists. One of the most mature and proven forms of energy storage - pumped hydro is able to deliver gigawatts of power in seconds, store energy for hours, and provide inertia and frequency response that batteries alone can't match. Despite being decades old, they remain some of the fastest, most reliable, and highest-capacity tools for balancing supply and demand. In a world aiming for net zero, understanding and upgrading these assets is no longer optional, it's essential.In this episode, Delphine Chérel-Sparham - Engie's Managing Director of Hydro UK joins Ed Porter to discuss how ENGIE is breathing new life into two of the UK's most iconic pumped storage assets: Dinorwig and Ffestiniog. Over the conversation, they discuss:
Why pumped hydro remains unmatched for long-duration storage and grid inertia.How ENGIE is modernising vast underground infrastructure.The role of fast-responding, synchronous machines in providing inertia and flexibility to the grid.How repowering legacy assets creates headroom for more renewables on the system.Delphine's engineering journey and her advice for young people considering careers in energy infrastructure.About our guestDelphine is Managing Director of ENGIE's pumped hydro business, where she leads the strategy, operations, and refurbishment of some of Europe's most iconic energy infrastructure. With over 30 years' experience in the energy sector, Delphine has worked across gas, LNG, oil, and renewables. Today, she's focused on revitalising legacy pumped hydro assets like Dinorwig and Ffestiniog, to support the evolving needs of a flexible, decarbonised grid.About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work. Sign up to the Modo Energy Weekly Dispatch for expert insights on energy storage, market shifts, and policy updates - delivered straight to your inbox every week.

Battery costs have shaped the pace and scale of the energy transition. For years, falling cell prices underpinned bullish business cases, opened up new flexibility markets, and helped grid-scale storage move from niche to mainstream.But what happens when those cost declines level off?In this episode of Transmission, Aaron Wade returns to unpack the state of battery pricing in 2025. With lithium prices stabilising and cell costs holding firm in the $40–50/kWh range, the era of dramatic year-on-year price drops appears to be over. That shift is changing how developers plan, how integrators position themselves, and what buyers prioritise when building or procuring storage.We dig into the structural factors behind the price plateau, explore the commercial and technical implications, and ask: if price is no longer the main lever - what is?In this episode we explore⚡ Why have cell prices stabilised around $40–50/kWh and what's keeping them there?⚡ Are the big cost drops over for battery manufacturing?⚡ What matters more than price now when designing storage systems?⚡ How integrators are adapting to a more stable, competitive market⚡ Are buyers over-specifying solutions and adding avoidable cost?About our guestAaron is a leading figure in the battery industry, currently serving as the Business Development Lead at Gaussion, a UK-based startup focused on enhancing battery performance through magneto-enhancement technology. He also holds the position of Project Director at the Volta Foundation, where he co-authors the annual Battery Report and organizes European networking events to foster collaboration within the battery community. You can find Aaron on LinkedIn About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work. Sign up to the Modo Energy Weekly Dispatch for expert insights on energy storage, market shifts, and policy updates - delivered straight to your inbox every week. #BatteryStorage #CleanEnergy #EnergyTransition #CapexTrends #PowerMarkets

Battery costs have shaped the pace and scale of the energy transition. For years, falling cell prices underpinned bullish business cases, opened up new flexibility markets, and helped grid-scale storage move from niche to mainstream.But what happens when those cost declines level off?In this episode of Transmission, Aaron Wade returns to unpack the state of battery pricing in 2025. With lithium prices stabilising and cell costs holding firm in the $40–50/kWh range, the era of dramatic year-on-year price drops appears to be over. That shift is changing how developers plan, how integrators position themselves, and what buyers prioritise when building or procuring storage.We dig into the structural factors behind the price plateau, explore the commercial and technical implications, and ask: if price is no longer the main lever - what is?In this episode we explore⚡ Why have cell prices stabilised around $40–50/kWh and what's keeping them there?⚡ Are the big cost drops over for battery manufacturing?⚡ What matters more than price now when designing storage systems?⚡ How integrators are adapting to a more stable, competitive market⚡ Are buyers over-specifying solutions and adding avoidable cost?About our guestAaron is a leading figure in the battery industry, currently serving as the Business Development Lead at Gaussion, a UK-based startup focused on enhancing battery performance through magneto-enhancement technology. He also holds the position of Project Director at the Volta Foundation, where he co-authors the annual Battery Report and organizes European networking events to foster collaboration within the battery community. You can find Aaron on LinkedIn About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work. Sign up to the Modo Energy Weekly Dispatch for expert insights on energy storage, market shifts, and policy updates - delivered straight to your inbox every week. #BatteryStorage #CleanEnergy #EnergyTransition #CapexTrends #PowerMarkets

Germany's battery boom is charging ahead - without subsidies. So how is it working?
While many markets rely on government support to kickstart energy storage, Germany is doing things differently. With more than 500 GW of battery connection requests in the pipeline, it's quickly becoming one of Europe's most competitive and dynamic battery markets.
From stacking wholesale and ancillary revenues to striking new kinds of long-term contracts, we explore how Germany's storage sector is evolving in real time and how that's changing the game for developers, corporates, and financiers alike.
In this episode of Transmission, Martin Daronnat, Head of Flexibility and Structured Origination in Germany at Engie, joins Quentin to explore the market mechanisms, commercial strategies, and contract structures that are enabling battery storage to scale, without public funding.
Highlights include: How batteries in Germany stack revenue across energy, capacity, and grid services.Why fixed-price flexibility agreements are emerging as a key financial innovation for managing merchant risk.The role of large industrial players, and why developers and buyers are both leaning in.What other countries can learn from Germany's approach, especially when it comes to risk appetite and regulatory design.
About our guestMartin is Head of Flexibility and Structured Origination in Germany at Engie, the French multinational electric utility. He's at the forefront of commercialising flexibility in one of Europe's fastest-moving energy storage markets, structuring offtake agreements, managing risk, and unlocking new revenue models for grid-scale batteries. With a background spanning power trading, corporate PPAs, and clean energy project origination, Martin brings deep insight into how flexibility is becoming investable in real-world markets.
About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work.Sign up to the Modo Energy Weekly Dispatch for expert insights on energy storage, market shifts, and policy updates - delivered straight to your inbox every week.

Germany's battery boom is charging ahead - without subsidies. So how is it working?
While many markets rely on government support to kickstart energy storage, Germany is doing things differently. With more than 500 GW of battery connection requests in the pipeline, it's quickly becoming one of Europe's most competitive and dynamic battery markets.
From stacking wholesale and ancillary revenues to striking new kinds of long-term contracts, we explore how Germany's storage sector is evolving in real time and how that's changing the game for developers, corporates, and financiers alike.
In this episode of Transmission, Martin Daronnat, Head of Flexibility and Structured Origination in Germany at Engie, joins Quentin to explore the market mechanisms, commercial strategies, and contract structures that are enabling battery storage to scale, without public funding.
Highlights include: How batteries in Germany stack revenue across energy, capacity, and grid services.Why fixed-price flexibility agreements are emerging as a key financial innovation for managing merchant risk.The role of large industrial players, and why developers and buyers are both leaning in.What other countries can learn from Germany's approach, especially when it comes to risk appetite and regulatory design.
About our guestMartin is Head of Flexibility and Structured Origination in Germany at Engie, the French multinational electric utility. He's at the forefront of commercialising flexibility in one of Europe's fastest-moving energy storage markets, structuring offtake agreements, managing risk, and unlocking new revenue models for grid-scale batteries. With a background spanning power trading, corporate PPAs, and clean energy project origination, Martin brings deep insight into how flexibility is becoming investable in real-world markets.
About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work.Sign up to the Modo Energy Weekly Dispatch for expert insights on energy storage, market shifts, and policy updates - delivered straight to your inbox every week.

As we shift toward a net-zero power system, inverter-based resources are rapidly replacing traditional generators. But replicating the critical system services once provided by large rotating machines isn't just about plugging in renewables - it's about designing smarter, more stable infrastructure at the grid edge.

In this episode of Transmission, we dive into one of the most technically important, yet often overlooked, aspects of modern power systems: the role of inverters. Ed Porter is joined by Daniel Duckwitz, who leads SMA's global grid stability portfolio, to unpack the differences between grid-forming and grid-following inverters and why that distinction matters more than ever.This episode covers:What grid-forming inverters actually do and why they're crucial for system strength and inertia replacement.How grid-forming requirements differ across global markets, and where the industry is heading.The role of inverter controls in stabilising power systems with high renewables.What makes grid-following and grid-forming inverters technically distinct and what's just marketing.Why transitioning to a 100% inverter-based grid is both possible and already underway.Whether you're an engineer working on battery integration, a policymaker shaping grid code, or just trying to understand how inverters affect system resilience, this conversation is packed with insight into one of the most transformative shifts in power system design.About our guestDr. Daniel Duckwitz is the Product Manager for Grid Services at SMA Solar Technology AG, where he leads the development of large-scale stability applications. His work focuses on optimizing battery energy storage systems (BESS) to provide critical grid services such as inertia, short-circuit current, and system restoration through advanced grid-forming technology.
For more information on what Daniel and SMA do, head to the website. https://www.sma.de/en/company/about-smaAbout Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work.

As we shift toward a net-zero power system, inverter-based resources are rapidly replacing traditional generators. But replicating the critical system services once provided by large rotating machines isn't just about plugging in renewables - it's about designing smarter, more stable infrastructure at the grid edge.

In this episode of Transmission, we dive into one of the most technically important, yet often overlooked, aspects of modern power systems: the role of inverters. Ed Porter is joined by Daniel Duckwitz, who leads SMA's global grid stability portfolio, to unpack the differences between grid-forming and grid-following inverters and why that distinction matters more than ever.This episode covers:What grid-forming inverters actually do and why they're crucial for system strength and inertia replacement.How grid-forming requirements differ across global markets, and where the industry is heading.The role of inverter controls in stabilising power systems with high renewables.What makes grid-following and grid-forming inverters technically distinct and what's just marketing.Why transitioning to a 100% inverter-based grid is both possible and already underway.Whether you're an engineer working on battery integration, a policymaker shaping grid code, or just trying to understand how inverters affect system resilience, this conversation is packed with insight into one of the most transformative shifts in power system design.About our guestDr. Daniel Duckwitz is the Product Manager for Grid Services at SMA Solar Technology AG, where he leads the development of large-scale stability applications. His work focuses on optimizing battery energy storage systems (BESS) to provide critical grid services such as inertia, short-circuit current, and system restoration through advanced grid-forming technology.
For more information on what Daniel and SMA do, head to the website. https://www.sma.de/en/company/about-smaAbout Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work.

As demand for electricity skyrockets, large flexible loads like data centers and Bitcoin miners are reshaping how – and where – energy infrastructure is built. But integrating these loads into a grid already under pressure requires a rethink of both project development and power market participation.

In this episode of Transmission, Quentin is joined by Brock Petersen, COO at Satoshi Energy, to unpack how digital infrastructure is co-locating with renewables – and why that could unlock new opportunities for grid flexibility and clean energy investment. From the load profiles of AI data centers to the geographic arbitrage of Bitcoin mining, this episode explores what these emerging industries mean for grid planning, transmission bottlenecks, and the economics of new build generation.
In this episode, you'll learn:How co-location unlocks stranded renewables: Why pairing flexible data center load with renewable assets helps monetize energy that would otherwise go unused.Bitcoin vs. AI load profiles: The key differences in cooling needs, flexibility, and infrastructure requirements.ERCOT's load boom: What 135 GW of new load requests means for one of the world's most dynamic power markets.The role of transmission and interconnection queues: How load-following strategies could help relieve pressure on grid infrastructure.What utilities and developers should know: Insights for navigating site selection, market design, and emerging opportunities in flexible load integration.About our guestBrock Petersen is the Chief Operating Officer of Satoshi Energy, a Houston-based energy technology company pioneering the integration of renewable energy with data center operations. Brock leads the company's strategy and execution, focusing on co-locating flexible data center loads with renewable energy assets.

Satoshi Energy has secured over 467 MW in contracted projects and is developing an additional 2,000 MW pipeline, aiming to enhance grid reliability and support sustainable energy investments.
For more information, check out their website.https://satoshienergy.com/About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work.

As demand for electricity skyrockets, large flexible loads like data centers and Bitcoin miners are reshaping how – and where – energy infrastructure is built. But integrating these loads into a grid already under pressure requires a rethink of both project development and power market participation.

In this episode of Transmission, Quentin is joined by Brock Petersen, COO at Satoshi Energy, to unpack how digital infrastructure is co-locating with renewables – and why that could unlock new opportunities for grid flexibility and clean energy investment. From the load profiles of AI data centers to the geographic arbitrage of Bitcoin mining, this episode explores what these emerging industries mean for grid planning, transmission bottlenecks, and the economics of new build generation.
In this episode, you'll learn:How co-location unlocks stranded renewables: Why pairing flexible data center load with renewable assets helps monetize energy that would otherwise go unused.Bitcoin vs. AI load profiles: The key differences in cooling needs, flexibility, and infrastructure requirements.ERCOT's load boom: What 135 GW of new load requests means for one of the world's most dynamic power markets.The role of transmission and interconnection queues: How load-following strategies could help relieve pressure on grid infrastructure.What utilities and developers should know: Insights for navigating site selection, market design, and emerging opportunities in flexible load integration.About our guestBrock Petersen is the Chief Operating Officer of Satoshi Energy, a Houston-based energy technology company pioneering the integration of renewable energy with data center operations. Brock leads the company's strategy and execution, focusing on co-locating flexible data center loads with renewable energy assets.

Satoshi Energy has secured over 467 MW in contracted projects and is developing an additional 2,000 MW pipeline, aiming to enhance grid reliability and support sustainable energy investments.
For more information, check out their website.https://satoshienergy.com/About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work.

As rooftop solar booms and the grid grows more complex, one question is gaining urgency: how do we store energy locally, efficiently, and in a way that benefits everyone? Community batteries are emerging as one solution small-scale, shared storage systems designed to maximise solar self-consumption, reduce network strain, and deliver value back to neighbourhoods.In this episode of Transmission, Wendel is joined by Graeme Martin - Founder of Village Power to take a closer look at the real-world deployment of community batteries in Australia. From funding and grid integration to ownership models and consumer trust, this conversation explores what it takes to build energy infrastructure at street level and why that might be the key to a more resilient, inclusive electricity system.In this episode, you'll learn:What community batteries actually do and how they fit between household solar and grid-scale storage.The biggest roadblocks to rollout, from regulatory complexity to grid connection delays.Why customer experience and transparency matter, and how trust shapes participation.The economics of local storage, including how these systems are funded and who benefits.How community-led models can scale, and what Australia's experience means for global grids.About our guestGraeme Martin is Founder and Director of Village Power, a volunteer-led community energy group based in Melbourne. With over 30 years in environmental science and geospatial consulting, Graeme has led the group's multi-year campaign to install a community battery in Alphington/Fairfield. For more information on the work Village Power is doing - head to their website. About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work.

As rooftop solar booms and the grid grows more complex, one question is gaining urgency: how do we store energy locally, efficiently, and in a way that benefits everyone? Community batteries are emerging as one solution small-scale, shared storage systems designed to maximise solar self-consumption, reduce network strain, and deliver value back to neighbourhoods.In this episode of Transmission, Wendel is joined by Graeme Martin - Founder of Village Power to take a closer look at the real-world deployment of community batteries in Australia. From funding and grid integration to ownership models and consumer trust, this conversation explores what it takes to build energy infrastructure at street level and why that might be the key to a more resilient, inclusive electricity system.In this episode, you'll learn:What community batteries actually do and how they fit between household solar and grid-scale storage.The biggest roadblocks to rollout, from regulatory complexity to grid connection delays.Why customer experience and transparency matter, and how trust shapes participation.The economics of local storage, including how these systems are funded and who benefits.How community-led models can scale, and what Australia's experience means for global grids.About our guestGraeme Martin is Founder and Director of Village Power, a volunteer-led community energy group based in Melbourne. With over 30 years in environmental science and geospatial consulting, Graeme has led the group's multi-year campaign to install a community battery in Alphington/Fairfield. For more information on the work Village Power is doing - head to their website. About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work.

As Europe accelerates toward a low-carbon electricity system, storage is under the spotlight. But while battery deployments are scaling quickly, long-duration assets like pumped hydro remain a crucial part of the flexibility mix.So how do these technologies complement each other, and what's really needed to make large-scale storage viable across different European markets?In this episode of Transmission, Ed talks with Lukas Gresnigt (Member of Executive Board) and Nadiya Vargola (Head of BESS Business Development) at Alpiq. Over the conversation they explore Alpiq's approach to balancing legacy infrastructure with modern flexibility. From developing batteries across multiple markets to operating an 80-to-100 year lifespan pumped hydro plant in the Swiss Alps, this conversation dives into the commercial realities of grid-scale storage. You'll hear how Alpiq is navigating cross-border market design, adapting gas peaker strategies in solar-saturated regions like Iberia, and structuring long-term investments in flexibility across Europe.Key insights include:How pumped hydro and batteries complement each other, and where each technology shinesWhat it takes to bring large storage projects to life, from decade-long build times to multigenerational returnsHow Alpiq is acquiring and developing BESS assets across European marketsWhy Iberia is a case study in flexibility, and how legacy gas assets are adapting to new solar peaksWhat market reforms are needed to unlock storage at the scale the energy transition demandsAbout our guestsNadiya Vargola is Head of BESS Business Development at Alpiq. With over 12 years in the energy sector, she is a key part of Alpiq's core team in implementing flexibility strategy and is involved in building & managing Alpiq's portfolio of BESS opportunities across Europe.Lukas Gresnigt is Head of International at Alpiq, overseeing the company's activities outside Switzerland. His work focuses on expanding Alpiq's commercial footprint across European energy markets, with a particular emphasis on flexibility, market access, and innovation.For more information - head to Alpiq's website. About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work.

As Europe accelerates toward a low-carbon electricity system, storage is under the spotlight. But while battery deployments are scaling quickly, long-duration assets like pumped hydro remain a crucial part of the flexibility mix.So how do these technologies complement each other, and what's really needed to make large-scale storage viable across different European markets?In this episode of Transmission, Ed talks with Lukas Gresnigt (Member of Executive Board) and Nadiya Vargola (Head of BESS Business Development) at Alpiq. Over the conversation they explore Alpiq's approach to balancing legacy infrastructure with modern flexibility. From developing batteries across multiple markets to operating an 80-to-100 year lifespan pumped hydro plant in the Swiss Alps, this conversation dives into the commercial realities of grid-scale storage. You'll hear how Alpiq is navigating cross-border market design, adapting gas peaker strategies in solar-saturated regions like Iberia, and structuring long-term investments in flexibility across Europe.Key insights include:How pumped hydro and batteries complement each other, and where each technology shinesWhat it takes to bring large storage projects to life, from decade-long build times to multigenerational returnsHow Alpiq is acquiring and developing BESS assets across European marketsWhy Iberia is a case study in flexibility, and how legacy gas assets are adapting to new solar peaksWhat market reforms are needed to unlock storage at the scale the energy transition demandsAbout our guestsNadiya Vargola is Head of BESS Business Development at Alpiq. With over 12 years in the energy sector, she is a key part of Alpiq's core team in implementing flexibility strategy and is involved in building & managing Alpiq's portfolio of BESS opportunities across Europe.Lukas Gresnigt is Head of International at Alpiq, overseeing the company's activities outside Switzerland. His work focuses on expanding Alpiq's commercial footprint across European energy markets, with a particular emphasis on flexibility, market access, and innovation.For more information - head to Alpiq's website. About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work.

Carbon accounting underpins nearly every climate commitment and energy market, but today's system often misses the mark. Most reporting is based on annual averages and generic certificates, ignoring when and where emissions are actually avoided. That mismatch creates blind spots for investors, policymakers, and clean energy developers alike.In this episode of Transmission, Quentin sits down with McGee Young, Founder & CEO at WattCarbon to explore how more accurate, time- and location-specific carbon data could transform the way we value clean energy.From tracking real emissions impact to building virtual power plants at the community level, this is a conversation about making carbon accounting smarter, and climate action more meaningful.In this episode, you'll learn:Why traditional carbon accounting is broken and how granular, real-time data can fix it.What time-stamped energy attributes are, and why they matter for valuing clean energy projects.How virtual power plants (VPPs) can unlock local flexibility, avoid expensive grid upgrades, and share value with communities.The case for ‘sleeved VPPs', where large energy users fund local demand-side programs instead of building new capacity.How community-led decarbonisation could reshape climate finance and deliver impact from the ground up.About our guestMcGee Young is founder and CEO of WattCarbon, a US-based company building the first platform for real-time, time-based carbon accounting and community-scale decarbonisation. At WattCarbon, he is delivering visibility into hourly carbon intensity and enabling more transparent, impact-driven carbon markets for buildings and energy projects. For more information about WattCarbons mission, head to their website. https://www.wattcarbon.com/About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work.

Carbon accounting underpins nearly every climate commitment and energy market, but today's system often misses the mark. Most reporting is based on annual averages and generic certificates, ignoring when and where emissions are actually avoided. That mismatch creates blind spots for investors, policymakers, and clean energy developers alike.In this episode of Transmission, Quentin sits down with McGee Young, Founder & CEO at WattCarbon to explore how more accurate, time- and location-specific carbon data could transform the way we value clean energy.From tracking real emissions impact to building virtual power plants at the community level, this is a conversation about making carbon accounting smarter, and climate action more meaningful.In this episode, you'll learn:Why traditional carbon accounting is broken and how granular, real-time data can fix it.What time-stamped energy attributes are, and why they matter for valuing clean energy projects.How virtual power plants (VPPs) can unlock local flexibility, avoid expensive grid upgrades, and share value with communities.The case for ‘sleeved VPPs', where large energy users fund local demand-side programs instead of building new capacity.How community-led decarbonisation could reshape climate finance and deliver impact from the ground up.About our guestMcGee Young is founder and CEO of WattCarbon, a US-based company building the first platform for real-time, time-based carbon accounting and community-scale decarbonisation. At WattCarbon, he is delivering visibility into hourly carbon intensity and enabling more transparent, impact-driven carbon markets for buildings and energy projects. For more information about WattCarbons mission, head to their website. https://www.wattcarbon.com/About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work.

As the UK works toward a fully decarbonised power system by 2035, one thing is clear: hitting climate targets will require a more flexible electricity system. But that flexibility won't just come from utility-scale batteries or grid-scale innovation. It will need support from consumers, households, businesses, and communities that can shift, shape, and reduce their electricity use.In this episode of Transmission, Ed Porter is joined by Marzia Zafar, Deputy Director of Governance for Data & Digitalization at Ofgem, to explore why consumer flexibility is no longer just a nice-to-have, it's now essential for grid stability, cost efficiency, and net-zero progress.We dig into the economics behind demand-side response, the role of price signals and digital infrastructure, and the policy decisions needed to unlock this potential at scale. Whether you're a system operator, innovator, or just trying to understand what demand flexibility actually means, this conversation is packed with insight.In this episode you'll learn:Why demand-side flexibility matters now more than ever, and how it supports both consumers and the system.The practical and policy steps needed to scale flexibility across millions of homes and businesses.How real-time price signals and automation can help shift consumer load and reduce system costs.The regulatory shift underway at Ofgem, and why this matters for innovators and aggregators.Why enabling consumer flexibility is a ‘no regrets' decision for a decarbonised energy future.About our guestMarzia Zafar is Deputy Director of Strategy and Decarbonisation at Ofgem, the UK's energy regulator. With nearly three decades of experience across policy, utilities, and innovation, Marzia has worked on both sides of the Atlantic to design regulatory frameworks that support the clean energy transition. At Ofgem, she plays a leading role in shaping strategy around consumer flexibility, digitalisation, and system planning ensuring that market design keeps pace with the evolving needs of a net-zero grid. For more information on Ofgem - head to their website.About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work.

As the UK works toward a fully decarbonised power system by 2035, one thing is clear: hitting climate targets will require a more flexible electricity system. But that flexibility won't just come from utility-scale batteries or grid-scale innovation. It will need support from consumers, households, businesses, and communities that can shift, shape, and reduce their electricity use.In this episode of Transmission, Ed Porter is joined by Marzia Zafar, Deputy Director of Governance for Data & Digitalization at Ofgem, to explore why consumer flexibility is no longer just a nice-to-have, it's now essential for grid stability, cost efficiency, and net-zero progress.We dig into the economics behind demand-side response, the role of price signals and digital infrastructure, and the policy decisions needed to unlock this potential at scale. Whether you're a system operator, innovator, or just trying to understand what demand flexibility actually means, this conversation is packed with insight.In this episode you'll learn:Why demand-side flexibility matters now more than ever, and how it supports both consumers and the system.The practical and policy steps needed to scale flexibility across millions of homes and businesses.How real-time price signals and automation can help shift consumer load and reduce system costs.The regulatory shift underway at Ofgem, and why this matters for innovators and aggregators.Why enabling consumer flexibility is a ‘no regrets' decision for a decarbonised energy future.About our guestMarzia Zafar is Deputy Director of Strategy and Decarbonisation at Ofgem, the UK's energy regulator. With nearly three decades of experience across policy, utilities, and innovation, Marzia has worked on both sides of the Atlantic to design regulatory frameworks that support the clean energy transition. At Ofgem, she plays a leading role in shaping strategy around consumer flexibility, digitalisation, and system planning ensuring that market design keeps pace with the evolving needs of a net-zero grid. For more information on Ofgem - head to their website.About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work.

Raising capital for grid-scale storage in Australia is a balancing act. Projects need to navigate volatile wholesale prices, tight grid constraints and uncertain policy timelines while still delivering reliable returns. Government-backed green banks and specialist financiers have stepped in to bridge that gap, creating new structures that share merchant risk, widen the pool of lenders and move projects from concept to construction.This episode of Transmission breaks down how innovative finance is accelerating battery storage across the National Electricity Market. Modo Energy Director, Wendel Hortop sits down with Niall Brady - Head of Solar and Storage at the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) to explore the mechanics of concessional debt, profit-share structures and revenue floors, and examine how early deals paved the way for today's multi gigawatt pipeline. If you want to understand why capital remains a bottleneck for Australia's energy transition and how the right instruments can unlock it, this conversation is for you.In this episode you'll learn:• Why merchant risk still scares traditional lenders and how tailored debt packages make first-of-a-kind battery projects bankable• How profit-share and upside mechanisms work to align public finance, private equity and project developers• What makes an effective revenue stack in the NEM, including energy arbitrage, FCAS and emerging capacity paymentsLessons from Australia's earliest solar-storage hybrids and how their financing models have evolved with falling capex and sharper price spreads• The next frontiers for green finance, from long-duration storage to regional microgrids and community energy hubsAbout our guestNiall Brady is Head of Solar and Storage at the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), Australia's $30 billion government-owned green bank. Niall leads investment strategy for large-scale PV and battery projects, structuring deals that de-risk merchant exposure and crowd in private capital. His portfolio covers Australia's first utility-scale solar-storage hybrids as well as new market entrants targeting firmed renewable generation for the NEM. For more information on what the CEFC do - head to their website.https://www.cefc.com.au/About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work.

Raising capital for grid-scale storage in Australia is a balancing act. Projects need to navigate volatile wholesale prices, tight grid constraints and uncertain policy timelines while still delivering reliable returns. Government-backed green banks and specialist financiers have stepped in to bridge that gap, creating new structures that share merchant risk, widen the pool of lenders and move projects from concept to construction.This episode of Transmission breaks down how innovative finance is accelerating battery storage across the National Electricity Market. Modo Energy Director, Wendel Hortop sits down with Niall Brady - Head of Solar and Storage at the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) to explore the mechanics of concessional debt, profit-share structures and revenue floors, and examine how early deals paved the way for today's multi gigawatt pipeline. If you want to understand why capital remains a bottleneck for Australia's energy transition and how the right instruments can unlock it, this conversation is for you.In this episode you'll learn:• Why merchant risk still scares traditional lenders and how tailored debt packages make first-of-a-kind battery projects bankable• How profit-share and upside mechanisms work to align public finance, private equity and project developers• What makes an effective revenue stack in the NEM, including energy arbitrage, FCAS and emerging capacity paymentsLessons from Australia's earliest solar-storage hybrids and how their financing models have evolved with falling capex and sharper price spreads• The next frontiers for green finance, from long-duration storage to regional microgrids and community energy hubsAbout our guestNiall Brady is Head of Solar and Storage at the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), Australia's $30 billion government-owned green bank. Niall leads investment strategy for large-scale PV and battery projects, structuring deals that de-risk merchant exposure and crowd in private capital. His portfolio covers Australia's first utility-scale solar-storage hybrids as well as new market entrants targeting firmed renewable generation for the NEM. For more information on what the CEFC do - head to their website.About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work.

Building large-scale battery storage is much more than securing capital and selecting technology. Success hinges on navigating market rules, regulatory timelines, permitting, grid connection challenges, and talent gaps - each of which varies from one country to another. Developing in a single market can alreadt present complexity. Expanding across borders introduces a new set of operational and commercial challenges, but it also unlocks huge opportunity.
In this episode of Transmission, Quentin is joined by Erik Strømsø - Chief Executive Officer at BW ESS. Erik discusses how BW ESS has adjusted to different grid codes, policy timelines, and market signals, and why success often means building a local strategy within a broader portfolio vision. Whether it's managing duration risk in the Nordics, securing interconnection in Italy, or navigating regulatory change in Germany, this episode offers a real-world look at what it takes to build flexible, investable storage in today's fragmented energy landscape.

Key topics include:
Why the UK led the early storage build-out: Market liberalisation, merchant opportunities, and a clear policy signal made the UK the launchpad for battery investment.How different European markets compare: What sets Sweden, Germany, and Italy apart in terms of project bankability, permitting, and revenue models.Scarcity as a competitive edge: How grid connection constraints and market friction can work in a developer's favour - if approached strategically.The bottlenecks no one talks about: Why access to qualified people and institutional knowledge is one of the most critical limits to scale.Contracting and capital discipline: How a long-term investor approaches merchant exposure, offtake, and project risk in high-growth markets.

About our guestErik Strømsø is Chief Executive Officer at BW ESS, the energy storage platform of BW Group - a global industrial group active in shipping, infrastructure, and renewables. Erik leads BW ESS's efforts to deploy utility-scale battery storage across Europe and Australia, with a particular focus on markets with long-duration needs and supportive policy tailwinds. He brings a background in private equity and infrastructure investment, with experience structuring and delivering energy transition projects across multiple jurisdictions. Under his leadership, BW ESS is positioning itself as a long-term owner and operator of flexible grid assets designed for net zero power systems. For more information on BW ESS, head to their website.About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work.

Building large-scale battery storage is much more than securing capital and selecting technology. Success hinges on navigating market rules, regulatory timelines, permitting, grid connection challenges, and talent gaps - each of which varies from one country to another. Developing in a single market can alreadt present complexity. Expanding across borders introduces a new set of operational and commercial challenges, but it also unlocks huge opportunity.
In this episode of Transmission, Quentin is joined by Erik Strømsø - Chief Executive Officer at BW ESS. Erik discusses how BW ESS has adjusted to different grid codes, policy timelines, and market signals, and why success often means building a local strategy within a broader portfolio vision. Whether it's managing duration risk in the Nordics, securing interconnection in Italy, or navigating regulatory change in Germany, this episode offers a real-world look at what it takes to build flexible, investable storage in today's fragmented energy landscape.

Key topics include:
Why the UK led the early storage build-out: Market liberalisation, merchant opportunities, and a clear policy signal made the UK the launchpad for battery investment.How different European markets compare: What sets Sweden, Germany, and Italy apart in terms of project bankability, permitting, and revenue models.Scarcity as a competitive edge: How grid connection constraints and market friction can work in a developer's favour - if approached strategically.The bottlenecks no one talks about: Why access to qualified people and institutional knowledge is one of the most critical limits to scale.Contracting and capital discipline: How a long-term investor approaches merchant exposure, offtake, and project risk in high-growth markets.

About our guestErik Strømsø is Chief Executive Officer at BW ESS, the energy storage platform of BW Group - a global industrial group active in shipping, infrastructure, and renewables. Erik leads BW ESS's efforts to deploy utility-scale battery storage across Europe and Australia, with a particular focus on markets with long-duration needs and supportive policy tailwinds. He brings a background in private equity and infrastructure investment, with experience structuring and delivering energy transition projects across multiple jurisdictions. Under his leadership, BW ESS is positioning itself as a long-term owner and operator of flexible grid assets designed for net zero power systems. For more information on BW ESS, head to their website.About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work.

As electricity systems decarbonise, the role of national planners and system operators is going through a major shift. Strategic planning is no longer just about keeping the lights on. It now involves reshaping the grid to support high levels of renewable generation, growing electrification, and new sources of flexibility. The challenge lies in aligning long-term goals with real-world system operations.In this episode of Transmission, Ed sits down with Julian Leslie, Director of Strategic Energy Planning and Chief Engineer at the National Energy System Operator (NESO). The conversation explores how long-term energy planning is changing in Great Britain and the need for low-carbon dispatchable power, the role of storage and interconnectors, and the uncertainty around technologies like hydrogen and carbon capture. We also unpack how NESO is managing competing pressures while working to design a future-proof system. If you want to understand how the UK grid is being reimagined for net zero, this one is worth a listen.Key topics include:How Great Britain's system operator is evolving from National Grid ESO to NESOWhy strategic planning must now consider the whole energy system, not just electricityThe role of low-carbon dispatchable generation in a net zero futureHow hydrogen, storage, and CCS are being factored into long-term plansWhy planning under uncertainty is so difficult, and how NESO is respondingAbout our guestJulian Leslie is Director of Strategic Energy Planning and Chief Engineer at NESO, the new National Energy System Operator for Great Britain. With more than 30 years of experience at National Grid and the ESO, Julian has helped shape both real-time system operations and long-term planning. He now leads the team responsible for designing the future of Britain's electricity system, ensuring it can meet climate targets while staying reliable and cost effective.For more information on NESO's work, head to their website.About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work.

As electricity systems decarbonise, the role of national planners and system operators is going through a major shift. Strategic planning is no longer just about keeping the lights on. It now involves reshaping the grid to support high levels of renewable generation, growing electrification, and new sources of flexibility. The challenge lies in aligning long-term goals with real-world system operations.In this episode of Transmission, Ed sits down with Julian Leslie, Director of Strategic Energy Planning and Chief Engineer at the National Energy System Operator (NESO). The conversation explores how long-term energy planning is changing in Great Britain and the need for low-carbon dispatchable power, the role of storage and interconnectors, and the uncertainty around technologies like hydrogen and carbon capture. We also unpack how NESO is managing competing pressures while working to design a future-proof system. If you want to understand how the UK grid is being reimagined for net zero, this one is worth a listen.Key topics include:How Great Britain's system operator is evolving from National Grid ESO to NESOWhy strategic planning must now consider the whole energy system, not just electricityThe role of low-carbon dispatchable generation in a net zero futureHow hydrogen, storage, and CCS are being factored into long-term plansWhy planning under uncertainty is so difficult, and how NESO is respondingAbout our guestJulian Leslie is Director of Strategic Energy Planning and Chief Engineer at NESO, the new National Energy System Operator for Great Britain. With more than 30 years of experience at National Grid and the ESO, Julian has helped shape both real-time system operations and long-term planning. He now leads the team responsible for designing the future of Britain's electricity system, ensuring it can meet climate targets while staying reliable and cost effective.For more information on NESO's work, head to their website.About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work.

Europe is seeing a rapid increase in battery energy storage, but no two markets are quite the same. Each country presents its own blend of policy ambition, grid challenges, market structures, and investor appetite. For developers and capital providers, this means a highly fragmented landscape where understanding the local context is just as critical as getting the technology or financing right.In this episode of Transmission, we take a pan-European view of battery investment looking at how the economics, regulation, and risk profile of projects vary from Belgium to the Baltics. Director of Investment Management for Battery Storage at Aquila Clean Energy EMEA - Kilian Leykam joins Ed to explore everything from four-hour assets in the Benelux to co-location in Italy, capacity markets in Greece, and merchant risk in Germany, this conversation explores what it takes to scale a diversified battery portfolio in today's evolving energy landscape.In this episode, we cover:Project development across multiple European markets: How site selection, policy maturity and market signals drive investment strategy.Four-hour storage in the Benelux: What early operational data tells us about long-duration battery economics.Germany and Italy: Why grid support and flexibility services are gaining momentum.The role of harmonisation: How EU-wide reforms may help or hinder cross-border battery investmentMarket risks and revenue models: From merchant exposure to capacity payments and co-location opportunities.About our guest:Kilian Leykam is Director of Investment Management for Battery Storage at Aquila Clean Energy, where he oversees one of Europe's most geographically diverse battery portfolios. With more than 7 GW of battery projects spanning nine European countries, Kilian brings deep experience in project development, trading, and strategic energy investment. For more information on what Aquila Clean Energy do, head to the website. About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work.