Transmission

Battery storage in Africa is one of the most misunderstood opportunities in global energy. Only 8% of the continent's hydro power has been tapped. In Malawi, just 14% of the population is connected to the grid. Africa needs to add an estimated 100 GW of capacity in the next decade and the fastest way is with renewables and storage. Michael Cupit develops BESS projects in Malawi and Kenya, and he's spent years working inside the gap between how these markets look from the outside and how they actually operate on the ground.In this episode of Transmission, Ed Porter sits down with Michael to break down the real risk picture in Sub-Saharan Africa: why mid-to-high-teen IRRs are the reality, how 20-year capacity payment contracts compare to merchant BESS in Europe, and what it actually takes to get a project from bare earth to operational - a journey that took eight years in Malawi.They cover:The two biggest misconceptions about doing business in AfricaHow South Africa, Malawi, and Kenya's grids differ and where batteries fit in eachThe role of DFIs, MIGA guarantees, and multilateral risk wrappers in making projects bankableChina's declining role in African infrastructure and what's replacing itThe O&M challenge: building operational capability from scratch in frontier marketsWhy winning the argument for renewables means making the commercial case - not just the climate oneWant to track battery storage capacity and market trends across Africa and beyond? Ko, Modo Energy's AI analyst, is built for exactly these questions. Free sign up: https://modoenergy.com/sign-up?utm_source=podcast_apps&utm_medium=podcast&utm_id=michael_cupitSubscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@modoenergy────────────────────────────⏱ CHAPTERS0:00 Introduction1:08 The two biggest misconceptions about Africa4:30 IRRs, risk and contracted vs merchant returns8:00 Why Africa is skipping the fossil fuel grid model9:40 South Africa: load shedding, rooftop solar and grid constraints13:00 Battery use cases: the transmission line problem17:00 Malawi's grid: run-of-river hydro and the diesel spread19:00 Kenya: geothermal, 10 GW buildout and hyperscaler demand22:30 Rare earth mining and the electrification push in Malawi26:30 Financing: DFIs, MIGA, project finance and currency risk31:45 How long does it really take? The 8-year development journey33:10 China's role in African infrastructure - myth vs reality33:45 Engineering talent, local capacity and the O&M challenge36:55 What success looks like in 5 years────────────────────────────You can watch or listen to new episodes every Tuesday.Transmission is a Modo Energy production. Your host is Ed Porter - Director EMEA & APAC at Modo Energy.

Battery storage in Africa is one of the most misunderstood opportunities in global energy. Only 8% of the continent's hydro power has been tapped. In Malawi, just 14% of the population is connected to the grid. Africa needs to add an estimated 100 GW of capacity in the next decade and the fastest way is with renewables and storage. Michael Cupit develops BESS projects in Malawi and Kenya, and he's spent years working inside the gap between how these markets look from the outside and how they actually operate on the ground.In this episode of Transmission, Ed Porter sits down with Michael to break down the real risk picture in Sub-Saharan Africa: why mid-to-high-teen IRRs are the reality, how 20-year capacity payment contracts compare to merchant BESS in Europe, and what it actually takes to get a project from bare earth to operational - a journey that took eight years in Malawi.They cover:The two biggest misconceptions about doing business in AfricaHow South Africa, Malawi, and Kenya's grids differ and where batteries fit in eachThe role of DFIs, MIGA guarantees, and multilateral risk wrappers in making projects bankableChina's declining role in African infrastructure and what's replacing itThe O&M challenge: building operational capability from scratch in frontier marketsWhy winning the argument for renewables means making the commercial case - not just the climate oneWant to track battery storage capacity and market trends across Africa and beyond? Ko, Modo Energy's AI analyst, is built for exactly these questions. Free sign up: https://modoenergy.com/sign-up?utm_source=podcast_apps&utm_medium=podcast&utm_id=michael_cupitSubscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@modoenergy────────────────────────────⏱ CHAPTERS0:00 Introduction1:08 The two biggest misconceptions about Africa4:30 IRRs, risk and contracted vs merchant returns8:00 Why Africa is skipping the fossil fuel grid model9:40 South Africa: load shedding, rooftop solar and grid constraints13:00 Battery use cases: the transmission line problem17:00 Malawi's grid: run-of-river hydro and the diesel spread19:00 Kenya: geothermal, 10 GW buildout and hyperscaler demand22:30 Rare earth mining and the electrification push in Malawi26:30 Financing: DFIs, MIGA, project finance and currency risk31:45 How long does it really take? The 8-year development journey33:10 China's role in African infrastructure - myth vs reality33:45 Engineering talent, local capacity and the O&M challenge36:55 What success looks like in 5 years────────────────────────────You can watch or listen to new episodes every Tuesday.Transmission is a Modo Energy production. Your host is Ed Porter - Director EMEA & APAC at Modo Energy.

Biomethane currently supplies just 1% of UK gas demand. Could it reach 30% by 2050? Philipp Lukas, founder and CEO of Future Biogas, makes the case.The UK uses around 700 terawatt hours of gas every year. Even as electrification reduces that to 150–250 TWh by 2050, the gas that remains will be harder than ever to replace. Industrial heat, steel, glass, shipping, aviation.Biomethane, produced from organic waste and agricultural byproducts through anaerobic digestion, could supply 50–60 TWh of that demand. That's roughly 10 times what the UK produces today.In this episode of Transmission, Ed speaks with Philipp Lukas, CEO of Future Biogas. Philipp explains how the technology works, why the gas grid is the biggest battery in the country, and why turning it off would be a mistake. You can watch or listen to new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.Transmission is a Modo Energy production. Your host is Ed Porter - Director EMEA & APAC at Modo Energy.Battery revenues, nodal spreads, trading strategies, Ko answers your most business-critical questions instantly, powered by Modo's IOSCO-aligned benchmark data. Try Ko for free now→https://modoenergy.com/sign-up?utm_source=podcast_apps&utm_medium=podcast&utm_id=philipp_lukasWatch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Y1pWt2-cKi4Chapters0:00 Introduction — the gas grid as a clean energy asset1:20 What everyone gets wrong about biogas2:00 How anaerobic digestion works (the basics)8:00 Ranking the top uses of biomethane10:00 The price gap: natural gas vs. biomethane today15:00 The future of the UK gas grid — 700 TWh to 200 TWh18:00 How much could biomethane supply by 2050?25:00 Why the gas grid won't be switched off29:00 Dunkelflaute and the case for backup gas33:00 Feedstocks: sewage, food waste, animal manure, energy crops37:00 Biogas vs. ethanol: land use and the rotation argument40:00 How biogas plants actually work (reliability, engineering)43:00 The subsidy journey and the obligation model47:00 Closing

Biomethane currently supplies just 1% of UK gas demand. Could it reach 30% by 2050? Philipp Lukas, founder and CEO of Future Biogas, makes the case.The UK uses around 700 terawatt hours of gas every year. Even as electrification reduces that to 150–250 TWh by 2050, the gas that remains will be harder than ever to replace. Industrial heat, steel, glass, shipping, aviation.Biomethane, produced from organic waste and agricultural byproducts through anaerobic digestion, could supply 50–60 TWh of that demand. That's roughly 10 times what the UK produces today.In this episode of Transmission, Ed speaks with Philipp Lukas, CEO of Future Biogas. Philipp explains how the technology works, why the gas grid is the biggest battery in the country, and why turning it off would be a mistake. You can watch or listen to new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.Transmission is a Modo Energy production. Your host is Ed Porter - Director EMEA & APAC at Modo Energy.Battery revenues, nodal spreads, trading strategies, Ko answers your most business-critical questions instantly, powered by Modo's IOSCO-aligned benchmark data. Try Ko for free now→ https://modoenergy.com/sign-up?utm_source=podcast_apps&utm_medium=podcast&utm_id=philipp_lukasWatch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Y1pWt2-cKi4Chapters0:00 Introduction — the gas grid as a clean energy asset1:20 What everyone gets wrong about biogas2:00 How anaerobic digestion works (the basics)8:00 Ranking the top uses of biomethane10:00 The price gap: natural gas vs. biomethane today15:00 The future of the UK gas grid — 700 TWh to 200 TWh18:00 How much could biomethane supply by 2050?25:00 Why the gas grid won't be switched off29:00 Dunkelflaute and the case for backup gas33:00 Feedstocks: sewage, food waste, animal manure, energy crops37:00 Biogas vs. ethanol: land use and the rotation argument40:00 How biogas plants actually work (reliability, engineering)43:00 The subsidy journey and the obligation model47:00 Closing

Eight in ten clean energy projects never make it through development. Not because of bad ideas, but because of how the process is run: sequential, analog, and fragmented across consultants, spreadsheets, and months of waiting.In this episode of Transmission, Alejandro speaks with Stuart Pomeroy from Paces .Stuart breaks down exactly why the traditional development model fails, what a parallel workflow looks like in practice, and how compressing land, environmental, interconnection, and permitting work into a single ecosystem can cut development timelines by more than half.You can watch or listen to new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.Transmission is a Modo Energy production. Your host is Alejandro De Diego - US Market AnalystBattery revenues, nodal spreads, trading strategies, Ko answers your most business-critical questions instantly, powered by Modo's IOSCO-aligned benchmark data. Try Ko for free now→ https://modoenergy.com/sign-upFor more information on Paces, Head to their website → https://www.paces.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacesai/Reach Stuart at sales@paces.com0:00 Introduction: the hidden cost of delay in clean energy3:18 How clients use Paces day-to-day4:29 The data model: land, zoning, and interconnection layers5:25 The old sequential development model7:30 Cutting development time by 50%+9:02 Does Paces replace environmental consultants?11:05 Cost savings and pipeline conversion metrics13:47 Assessing permitting risk and policy uncertainty15:42 The Permitting Predictor tool17:17 Predicting landowner behaviour18:37 Hottest US regions for development activity27:42 Community sentiment and opposition risk31:22 Off-grid development and on-site generation34:10 Cost, complexity, and time: the off-grid advantage36:40 LMP data suite and revenue signals37:40 Getting projects bankable: track record and case studies39:31 What Paces are building next41:23 Contrarian takes: off-grid and permitting44:19 Closing

Eight in ten clean energy projects never make it through development. Not because of bad ideas, but because of how the process is run: sequential, analog, and fragmented across consultants, spreadsheets, and months of waiting.In this episode of Transmission, Alejandro speaks with Stuart Pomeroy from Paces .Stuart breaks down exactly why the traditional development model fails, what a parallel workflow looks like in practice, and how compressing land, environmental, interconnection, and permitting work into a single ecosystem can cut development timelines by more than half.You can watch or listen to new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.Transmission is a Modo Energy production. Your host is Alejandro De Diego - US Market AnalystBattery revenues, nodal spreads, trading strategies, Ko answers your most business-critical questions instantly, powered by Modo's IOSCO-aligned benchmark data. Try Ko for free now→ https://modoenergy.com/sign-upFor more information on Paces, Head to their website → https://www.paces.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacesai/Reach Stuart at sales@paces.com0:00 Introduction: the hidden cost of delay in clean energy3:18 How clients use Paces day-to-day4:29 The data model: land, zoning, and interconnection layers5:25 The old sequential development model7:30 Cutting development time by 50%+9:02 Does Paces replace environmental consultants?11:05 Cost savings and pipeline conversion metrics13:47 Assessing permitting risk and policy uncertainty15:42 The Permitting Predictor tool17:17 Predicting landowner behaviour18:37 Hottest US regions for development activity27:42 Community sentiment and opposition risk31:22 Off-grid development and on-site generation34:10 Cost, complexity, and time: the off-grid advantage36:40 LMP data suite and revenue signals37:40 Getting projects bankable: track record and case studies39:31 What Paces are building next41:23 Contrarian takes: off-grid and permitting44:19 Closing

Tax insurance helps clean energy projects manage the risk of the IRS challenging their tax credits - like the Investment Tax Credit (ITC), Production Tax Credit (PTC), or bonus depreciation. Instead of carrying that uncertainty, developers and investors can transfer it to insurers, adding confidence to project financing.In this episode, Alejandro speaks with James Chenoweth Managing Director at Alliant Insurance Services, about how the market works and who's using it. They also touch on the key areas of risk today, such as whether projects properly qualify for credits, potential recapture issues, and structuring above the project level, along with ongoing uncertainty around foreign ownership rules (FEOC), which are still awaiting clearer IRS guidance.You can watch or listen to new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.Transmission is a Modo Energy production. Your host is Alejandro De Diego - US Market AnalystModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage understand the market — and make the most out of their assets. Want all the latest power market news? Sign up for our free Weekly Dispatch newsletter: https://bit.ly/TheWeeklyDispatch00:00:00 Introduction00:03:48 What is tax insurance?00:05:19 Who needs it and why?00:06:18 Is a project insurable?00:07:05 Insurable risk examples00:07:51 Which technologies lead demand?00:08:43 FEOC rules explained00:09:56 How tax insurance is priced00:10:57 Where it sits in the finance stack00:13:49 Who benefits from risk transfer?00:14:01 Impact on project returns00:14:32 The next big insurable wedge00:15:13 Why Texas leads the sector00:15:57 Houston: oil & gas to renewables00:17:14 War stories from the boom years00:18:32 Advice for developers00:19:07 Alliant's large-scale capabilities00:21:00 Contrarian take: tax policy is stabilising

Tax insurance helps clean energy projects manage the risk of the IRS challenging their tax credits - like the Investment Tax Credit (ITC), Production Tax Credit (PTC), or bonus depreciation. Instead of carrying that uncertainty, developers and investors can transfer it to insurers, adding confidence to project financing.In this episode, Alejandro speaks with James Chenoweth Managing Director at Alliant Insurance Services, about how the market works and who's using it. They also touch on the key areas of risk today, such as whether projects properly qualify for credits, potential recapture issues, and structuring above the project level, along with ongoing uncertainty around foreign ownership rules (FEOC), which are still awaiting clearer IRS guidance.You can watch or listen to new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.Transmission is a Modo Energy production. Your host is Alejandro De Diego - US Market AnalystModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage understand the market — and make the most out of their assets. Want all the latest power market news? Sign up for our free Weekly Dispatch newsletter: https://bit.ly/TheWeeklyDispatch00:00:00 Introduction00:03:48 What is tax insurance?00:05:19 Who needs it and why?00:06:18 Is a project insurable?00:07:05 Insurable risk examples00:07:51 Which technologies lead demand?00:08:43 FEOC rules explained00:09:56 How tax insurance is priced00:10:57 Where it sits in the finance stack00:13:49 Who benefits from risk transfer?00:14:01 Impact on project returns00:14:32 The next big insurable wedge00:15:13 Why Texas leads the sector00:15:57 Houston: oil & gas to renewables00:17:14 War stories from the boom years00:18:32 Advice for developers00:19:07 Alliant's large-scale capabilities00:21:00 Contrarian take: tax policy is stabilisinghttps://modoenergy.com/sign-up?utm_source=podcast_apps&utm_medium=podcast&utm_id=james_chenoweth

How does a major renewable operator decide what gets built, where, and with whose capital? Lolita Carry, Director of Portfolio Strategy at Engie North America, explains how Engie manages a 20GW BESS, wind, and solar pipeline across ERCOT, PJM, MISO, and CAISO.In this episode Alejandro de Diego speaks with Lolita Carry about how one of the US's largest battery storage operators structures its investment decisions across multiple ISO markets.They take a look at how Engie steers a 20GW development pipeline across ERCOT, PJM, MISO, and CAISO; the capital recycling model behind Engie's 2.7GW asset sale to SES; what the Broad Reach Power acquisition brought to Engie's battery portfolio; how ancillary service saturation and energy price cannibalisation are reshaping BESS investment cases; and why Engie remains bullish on batteries despite tightening revenues.You can watch or listen to new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.Transmission is a Modo Energy production. Your host is Alejandro De Diego - US Market AnalystModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage understand the market — and make the most out of their assets. Want all the latest power market news? Sign up for our free Weekly Dispatch newsletter: https://bit.ly/TheWeeklyDispatchChapters:0:00 Introduction — Engie's 20GW pipeline and the portfolio challenge4:01 Capital allocation and key technologies in focus5:17 Priority ISO markets: ERCOT, PJM, MISO, CAISO6:04 What makes each market unique 9:27 BESS + solar development: from site to FID11:00 Risk assessment and project showstoppers12:32 Network upgrades and interconnection queue dynamics14:49 Raising and lowering the investment bar across markets18:01 Where Engie captures the most value: development vs. construction vs. operations18:59 The capital recycling model — Engie's 2.7GW SES deal explained20:20 How grid-scale batteries operate day to day21:45 BESS revenue decline: ancillary services, cannibalisation, and energy arbitrage22:34 Investment stance23:27 In-house energy management vs. external optimisers24:07 Advantages of scale vs. smaller developers29:10 Career advice for those entering the energy investment sector30:20 The Broad Reach Power acquisition — lessons and integration32:05 Final plug and contrarian view on the energy industry

How does a major renewable operator decide what gets built, where, and with whose capital? Lolita Carry, Director of Portfolio Strategy at Engie North America, explains how Engie manages a 20GW BESS, wind, and solar pipeline across ERCOT, PJM, MISO, and CAISO.In this episode Alejandro de Diego speaks with Lolita Carry about how one of the US's largest battery storage operators structures its investment decisions across multiple ISO markets.They take a look at how Engie steers a 20GW development pipeline across ERCOT, PJM, MISO, and CAISO; the capital recycling model behind Engie's 2.7GW asset sale to SES; what the Broad Reach Power acquisition brought to Engie's battery portfolio; how ancillary service saturation and energy price cannibalisation are reshaping BESS investment cases; and why Engie remains bullish on batteries despite tightening revenues.You can watch or listen to new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.Transmission is a Modo Energy production. Your host is Alejandro De Diego - US Market AnalystModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage understand the market — and make the most out of their assets. Want all the latest power market news? Sign up for our free Weekly Dispatch newsletter: https://bit.ly/TheWeeklyDispatchChapters:0:00 Introduction — Engie's 20GW pipeline and the portfolio challenge4:01 Capital allocation and key technologies in focus5:17 Priority ISO markets: ERCOT, PJM, MISO, CAISO6:04 What makes each market unique 9:27 BESS + solar development: from site to FID11:00 Risk assessment and project showstoppers12:32 Network upgrades and interconnection queue dynamics14:49 Raising and lowering the investment bar across markets18:01 Where Engie captures the most value: development vs. construction vs. operations18:59 The capital recycling model — Engie's 2.7GW SES deal explained20:20 How grid-scale batteries operate day to day21:45 BESS revenue decline: ancillary services, cannibalisation, and energy arbitrage22:34 Investment stance23:27 In-house energy management vs. external optimisers24:07 Advantages of scale vs. smaller developers29:10 Career advice for those entering the energy investment sector30:20 The Broad Reach Power acquisition — lessons and integration32:05 Final plug and contrarian view on the energy industry

The money for German battery storage exists. What's scarce is bankability - the clarity that lets a lender actually commit. What are banks really evaluating when they look at BESS projects in Germany and why regulatory uncertainty, grid connection risk, and the structure of offtake agreements can make or break the chances of getting debt across the line.In this conversation, Ed is joined by Florian Hock, Senior Director, Origination Energy Europe at NORD/LB to explore what separates a financeable BESS project from one that stalls.If you're developing, financing, or investing in battery storage in Germany or watching the market, this is the episode to understand what the financing layer actually looks like from the inside.0:00 Introduction0:57 Banks as advisors, not ATMs2:50 Financial & regulatory hurdles7:46 Defining bankability9:01 Regulatory risks to revenues10:25 Tolling contracts & capacity markets16:37 The grid fees debate19:03 Offtake 1.0 to 4.022:49 Germany vs UK valuations25:10 Navigating ancillary saturation27:49 The bankability framework33:33 Beyond capital: NIBC's role36:53 Grid connection delays38:14 Flexible connection agreements39:56 Lessons from the UK43:31 One change for Europe#BatteryStorage #EnergyFinance #GermanEnergyMarket #BESS #EnergyTransition

The money for German battery storage exists. What's scarce is bankability - the clarity that lets a lender actually commit. What are banks really evaluating when they look at BESS projects in Germany and why regulatory uncertainty, grid connection risk, and the structure of offtake agreements can make or break the chances of getting debt across the line.In this conversation, Ed is joined by Florian Hock, Senior Director, Origination Energy Europe at NORD/LB to explore what separates a financeable BESS project from one that stalls.If you're developing, financing, or investing in battery storage in Germany or watching the market, this is the episode to understand what the financing layer actually looks like from the inside.0:00 Introduction0:57 Banks as advisors, not ATMs2:50 Financial & regulatory hurdles7:46 Defining bankability9:01 Regulatory risks to revenues10:25 Tolling contracts & capacity markets16:37 The grid fees debate19:03 Offtake 1.0 to 4.022:49 Germany vs UK valuations25:10 Navigating ancillary saturation27:49 The bankability framework33:33 Beyond capital: NIBC's role36:53 Grid connection delays38:14 Flexible connection agreements39:56 Lessons from the UK43:31 One change for Europe#BatteryStorage #EnergyFinance #GermanEnergyMarket #BESS #EnergyTransition

The AI boom has created an energy problem no one quite planned for. Every new data center needs power now - not in three years when the grid connection finally arrives. Developers are skipping the queue, installing on-site generation at a scale that would have seemed extraordinary five years ago.But speed to power isn't the only pressure. Data center operators are also staring down net zero commitments, sustainability departments that want decarbonisation, and an energy trilemma of cost, carbon, and resilience.In this episode Alejandro is joined by Alex Marshall, Group Business Development and Marketing Director at Clarke Energy. Alex explains why gas engines have become the bridging technology of choice for hyperscale data centers, what a 450 MW peaking station outside London actually looks like, and whether the engineering department and the sustainability team will ever agree.You can watch or listen to new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.Transmission is a Modo Energy production. Your host is Alejandro De Diego - US Market AnalystModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage understand the market — and make the most out of their assets. Want all the latest power market news? Sign up for our free Weekly Dispatch newsletter: https://bit.ly/TheWeeklyDispatchChapters- 0:00 — Introduction- 1:44 — Guest intro: Alex Marshall & Clarke Energy- 3:30 — Data centers and the shift to self-generation- 5:00 — The inflection point: Ireland to the US- 7:00 — Biggest project: 450 MW peaking station, London- 7:45 — Gas engines vs batteries: what fills the dunkelflaute gap- 9:00 — What US data centers actually buy- 10:20 — The net zero pathway for gas engines- 14:00 — Speed to power vs cost savings- 17:00 — Europe vs US: sustainability and energy culture- 18:00 — 45Y production tax credit: what's at stake- 22:10 — Clarke Energy's business model- 22:40 — Project highlights: Ireland, Indiana, Nigeria, Romania- 25:00 — The contrarian view: biogas & organic waste

The AI boom has created an energy problem no one quite planned for. Every new data center needs power now - not in three years when the grid connection finally arrives. Developers are skipping the queue, installing on-site generation at a scale that would have seemed extraordinary five years ago.But speed to power isn't the only pressure. Data center operators are also staring down net zero commitments, sustainability departments that want decarbonisation, and an energy trilemma of cost, carbon, and resilience.In this episode Alejandro is joined by Alex Marshall, Group Business Development and Marketing Director at Clarke Energy. Alex explains why gas engines have become the bridging technology of choice for hyperscale data centers, what a 450 MW peaking station outside London actually looks like, and whether the engineering department and the sustainability team will ever agree.You can watch or listen to new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.Transmission is a Modo Energy production. Your host is Alejandro De Diego - US Market AnalystModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage understand the market — and make the most out of their assets. Want all the latest power market news? Sign up for our free Weekly Dispatch newsletter: https://bit.ly/TheWeeklyDispatchChapters- 0:00 — Introduction- 1:44 — Guest intro: Alex Marshall & Clarke Energy- 3:30 — Data centers and the shift to self-generation- 5:00 — The inflection point: Ireland to the US- 7:00 — Biggest project: 450 MW peaking station, London- 7:45 — Gas engines vs batteries: what fills the dunkelflaute gap- 9:00 — What US data centers actually buy- 10:20 — The net zero pathway for gas engines- 14:00 — Speed to power vs cost savings- 17:00 — Europe vs US: sustainability and energy culture- 18:00 — 45Y production tax credit: what's at stake- 22:10 — Clarke Energy's business model- 22:40 — Project highlights: Ireland, Indiana, Nigeria, Romania- 25:00 — The contrarian view: biogas & organic waste

Australia has built one of the world's most competitive battery storage markets — and it got there faster than almost anywhere else on the planet. What started as an experiment in South Australia in 2017 has grown into a mature, multi-gigawatt industry that is now redefining what grid-scale batteries can do.In this episode of Transmission, host Wendel Hortop sits down with Jérémie Yvon, Head of Energy Management at Neoen Australia, to explore how one of the country's largest renewable energy companies is navigating the rapidly evolving battery landscape across both the National Electricity Market (NEM) and the Western Australian Electricity Market (WEM). They cover the maturation of the Australian battery market, how Neoen structures battery revenue across two very different market designs, the rise of virtual batteries and firm renewable PPAs, long-duration storage investment, and why Jérémie believes battery oversupply is a credible - and under appreciated - risk.You can watch or listen to new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.Transmission is a Modo Energy production. Your host is Wendel Hortop - Head of AustraliaModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage understand the market — and make the most out of their assets. Want all the latest power market news? Sign up for our free Weekly Dispatch newsletter:https://bit.ly/TheWeeklyDispatchChapters0:00 Introduction — the hospital generator analogy1:45 Guest intro: Jérémie Yvon and Neoen Australia4:30 NEM vs WEM: how battery economics differ8:30 Hornsdale: from proof of concept to system services11:30 NEM design — volatility and five-minute trading14:00 WEM design — capacity market mechanics17:00 Revenue compression in ancillary services20:30 How Neoen builds optimisation capabilities in-house23:00 Battery + wind firming: delivering baseload renewables25:30 Virtual battery products explained29:00 Risk management for firm products32:00 Solar cannibalisation and price suppression38:00 Long-duration storage pipeline44:00 Rate of change of frequency (RoCoF) services47:00 Are batteries now the cheapest system service provider?50:00 Contrarian view: what the market is getting wrong51:39 Wrap-upModo Energy | modoenergy.com

Australia has built one of the world's most competitive battery storage markets — and it got there faster than almost anywhere else on the planet. What started as an experiment in South Australia in 2017 has grown into a mature, multi-gigawatt industry that is now redefining what grid-scale batteries can do.In this episode of Transmission, host Wendel Hortop sits down with Jérémie Yvon, Head of Energy Management at Neoen Australia, to explore how one of the country's largest renewable energy companies is navigating the rapidly evolving battery landscape across both the National Electricity Market (NEM) and the Western Australian Electricity Market (WEM). They cover the maturation of the Australian battery market, how Neoen structures battery revenue across two very different market designs, the rise of virtual batteries and firm renewable PPAs, long-duration storage investment, and why Jérémie believes battery oversupply is a credible - and under appreciated - risk.You can watch or listen to new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.Transmission is a Modo Energy production. Your host is Wendel Hortop - Head of AustraliaModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage understand the market — and make the most out of their assets. Want all the latest power market news? Sign up for our free Weekly Dispatch newsletter:https://bit.ly/TheWeeklyDispatchChapters0:00 Introduction — the hospital generator analogy1:45 Guest intro: Jérémie Yvon and Neoen Australia4:30 NEM vs WEM: how battery economics differ8:30 Hornsdale: from proof of concept to system services11:30 NEM design — volatility and five-minute trading14:00 WEM design — capacity market mechanics17:00 Revenue compression in ancillary services20:30 How Neoen builds optimisation capabilities in-house23:00 Battery + wind firming: delivering baseload renewables25:30 Virtual battery products explained29:00 Risk management for firm products32:00 Solar cannibalisation and price suppression38:00 Long-duration storage pipeline44:00 Rate of change of frequency (RoCoF) services47:00 Are batteries now the cheapest system service provider?50:00 Contrarian view: what the market is getting wrong51:39 Wrap-upModo Energy | modoenergy.com

The energy grid needs reliable, carbon-free power around the clock and geothermal might be the most underestimated solution on the table. A century of oil and gas expertise is now being repurposed to unlock heat sitting beneath our feet almost anywhere on Earth, and in doing so, it's also unlocking a new form of long-duration energy storage that requires no mountain, no reservoir, and no battery chemistry.In this episode, host Alejandro Diego sits down with Cindy Taff, CEO of Sage Geo Systems. Together they explore how Sage is moving beyond the geological constraints of conventional geothermal, what it takes to engineer a reservoir from scratch, how their underground pressure storage system works like an inverted pumped hydro plant, and why companies like Meta and the US Department of Defense are already signing on.You can watch or listen to new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.Transmission is a Modo Energy production. Your host is Alejandro De Diego - US Market AnalystModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage understand the market — and make the most out of their assets. Want all the latest power market news? Sign up for our free Weekly Dispatch newsletter:https://bit.ly/TheWeeklyDispatch Chapters:00:00 Next-gen geothermal intro01:49 Cindy Taff background04:51 Geothermal opportunity07:19 Conventional geothermal limits08:39 How geothermal works10:38 Geothermal grid baseload11:44 US heat resource map13:13 Oil and gas drilling tech16:50 Discovering underground storage17:21 Earth Store technology18:07 Storage capacity explained19:35 Fast dispatch no degradation21:42 Pelton turbine explained23:47 Why viable now25:30 Energy storage business model27:12 Target customers28:27 Development obstacles29:52 Permitting process31:36 Meta 150MW deal33:41 5.5 terawatt potential36:17 Grid transformation impact37:49 What drives Cindy39:16 Direct heating use case40:30 Sage 2035 milestones42:20 Energy expansion contrarian view

The energy grid needs reliable, carbon-free power around the clock and geothermal might be the most underestimated solution on the table. A century of oil and gas expertise is now being repurposed to unlock heat sitting beneath our feet almost anywhere on Earth, and in doing so, it's also unlocking a new form of long-duration energy storage that requires no mountain, no reservoir, and no battery chemistry.In this episode, host Alejandro Diego sits down with Cindy Taff, CEO of Sage Geo Systems. Together they explore how Sage is moving beyond the geological constraints of conventional geothermal, what it takes to engineer a reservoir from scratch, how their underground pressure storage system works like an inverted pumped hydro plant, and why companies like Meta and the US Department of Defense are already signing on.You can watch or listen to new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.Transmission is a Modo Energy production. Your host is Alejandro De Diego - US Market AnalystModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage understand the market — and make the most out of their assets. Want all the latest power market news? Sign up for our free Weekly Dispatch newsletter:https://bit.ly/TheWeeklyDispatch Chapters:00:00 Next-gen geothermal intro01:49 Cindy Taff background04:51 Geothermal opportunity07:19 Conventional geothermal limits08:39 How geothermal works10:38 Geothermal grid baseload11:44 US heat resource map13:13 Oil and gas drilling tech16:50 Discovering underground storage17:21 Earth Store technology18:07 Storage capacity explained19:35 Fast dispatch no degradation21:42 Pelton turbine explained23:47 Why viable now25:30 Energy storage business model27:12 Target customers28:27 Development obstacles29:52 Permitting process31:36 Meta 150MW deal33:41 5.5 terawatt potential36:17 Grid transformation impact37:49 What drives Cindy39:16 Direct heating use case40:30 Sage 2035 milestones42:20 Energy expansion contrarian view

How a battery gets optimised, from the moment a contract is signed to the millisecond a trade is placed, is still a black box for most people in the industry. Understanding that process is the difference between leaving money on the table and extracting maximum value from every asset.In this episode of Transmission, Ed Porter is joined by Fabrizio Fenu, Head of Business Development at EDF UK. They pull back the curtain on how battery optimisation actually works at scale: how assets are treated fairly across a large portfolio, why merchant, floor and tolling contracts suit different investors, what role AI and algorithms play on a live trading desk, and why co-located solar and battery projects are harder to finance than they look. Chapters00:00 Intro: Optimising 5GW01:18 EDF's Battery Business01:47 5GW Portfolio Scale02:25 From 50kW to Commercial04:44 Inside the Trading Floor06:22 Winning Big Battery Contracts08:01 Debt and Revenue Certainty09:21 Merchant vs Floor vs Toll11:05 Optimiser Market Consolidation13:39 AI in Energy Trading16:10 Energy Careers Advice17:57 Fair Asset Treatment19:25 Day-Ahead and Ancillary Markets22:45 Enduring Auction Capability Explained25:51 Intraday Pricing and Indexing28:37 Perfect Battery Asset Quickfire31:45 Co-location Solar and Battery35:12 Battery Retrofitting Explained36:21 Connection Reform and Scale37:37 Simplify the Energy Industry

How a battery gets optimised, from the moment a contract is signed to the millisecond a trade is placed, is still a black box for most people in the industry. Understanding that process is the difference between leaving money on the table and extracting maximum value from every asset.In this episode of Transmission, Ed Porter is joined by Fabrizio Fenu, Head of Business Development at EDF UK. They pull back the curtain on how battery optimisation actually works at scale: how assets are treated fairly across a large portfolio, why merchant, floor and tolling contracts suit different investors, what role AI and algorithms play on a live trading desk, and why co-located solar and battery projects are harder to finance than they look. Chapters00:00 Intro: Optimising 5GW01:18 EDF's Battery Business01:47 5GW Portfolio Scale02:25 From 50kW to Commercial04:44 Inside the Trading Floor06:22 Winning Big Battery Contracts08:01 Debt and Revenue Certainty09:21 Merchant vs Floor vs Toll11:05 Optimiser Market Consolidation13:39 AI in Energy Trading16:10 Energy Careers Advice17:57 Fair Asset Treatment19:25 Day-Ahead and Ancillary Markets22:45 Enduring Auction Capability Explained25:51 Intraday Pricing and Indexing28:37 Perfect Battery Asset Quickfire31:45 Co-location Solar and Battery35:12 Battery Retrofitting Explained36:21 Connection Reform and Scale37:37 Simplify the Energy Industry

The energy grid fails in silence, long before the lights go out. The real problem is that most of the infrastructure keeping the grid alive is inspected too slowly, too infrequently, and with sensors that drift. We pour billions into building new power infrastructure, yet some of our biggest reliability gains might come from simply seeing existing assets more clearly. Quantum sensing promises exactly that, and it is closer to deployment than most people realise.In this conversation, Alex sits down with Emma Wong, Nuclear Principal Lead for Innovation, Quantum Technologies, and International Engagement at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), to explore how quantum sensing technology could transform grid reliability, reduce costly downtime at nuclear plants, and reshape how we think about energy security, from US utilities to communities in sub-Saharan Africa.Chapters00:00 Seeing Problems Early01:53 EPRI's Mission03:34 Into Nuclear Innovation06:27 Quantum Technologies Overview09:15 How Quantum Sensors Work12:33 No-Drift Sensing Advantage15:34 Real World Applications22:21 Cutting Nuclear Downtime25:20 Utility Pilot Programs26:15 Quantum Meets AI32:29 Key Stakeholders for Quantum35:37 Nuclear in a Renewable Grid41:43 Modern Reactor Safety46:43 G20 Nuclear Summit48:43 Energy Access in Africa53:22 Contrarian Energy Take#Nuclear #QuantumTechnology #EnergyTransition #CleanEnergy #FutureOfEnergy

The energy grid fails in silence, long before the lights go out. The real problem is that most of the infrastructure keeping the grid alive is inspected too slowly, too infrequently, and with sensors that drift. We pour billions into building new power infrastructure, yet some of our biggest reliability gains might come from simply seeing existing assets more clearly. Quantum sensing promises exactly that, and it is closer to deployment than most people realise.In this conversation, Alex sits down with Emma Wong, Nuclear Principal Lead for Innovation, Quantum Technologies, and International Engagement at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), to explore how quantum sensing technology could transform grid reliability, reduce costly downtime at nuclear plants, and reshape how we think about energy security, from US utilities to communities in sub-Saharan Africa.Chapters00:00 Seeing Problems Early01:53 EPRI's Mission03:34 Into Nuclear Innovation06:27 Quantum Technologies Overview09:15 How Quantum Sensors Work12:33 No-Drift Sensing Advantage15:34 Real World Applications22:21 Cutting Nuclear Downtime25:20 Utility Pilot Programs26:15 Quantum Meets AI32:29 Key Stakeholders for Quantum35:37 Nuclear in a Renewable Grid41:43 Modern Reactor Safety46:43 G20 Nuclear Summit48:43 Energy Access in Africa53:22 Contrarian Energy Take#Nuclear #QuantumTechnology #EnergyTransition #CleanEnergy #FutureOfEnergy

New York legally committed to generating 70% of its electricity from renewables by 2030, and 100% carbon-free power by 2040. Nearly a decade later, the state is way behind schedule.In the first episode of Modo Energy Presents, our new series of video documentaries, we examine why building renewable energy in New York is so difficult - despite strong political support and ambitious targets.We explore:Transmission bottlenecks between upstate and downstate.The NYISO interconnection queue, now holding ~27 GW of projects.Why 90% of proposed projects never reach commercial operations.Interconnection costs that can account for 60% of total project CapEx.Offshore wind policy uncertainty.Capacity market dynamics that favour dispatchable generation.And why battery energy storage economics differ from ERCOT and California.Featuring Peter Berini, Director of Industry at Modo Energy, this episode compares New York's “cluster study” interconnection model with ERCOT's faster “connect and manage” approach - and asks whether structural reform is necessary to hit renewable targets.A Modo Energy production.Music licensed via Artlist.Stock footage licensed via Pond5 (via Everly).This documentary is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.

New York legally committed to generating 70% of its electricity from renewables by 2030, and 100% carbon-free power by 2040. Nearly a decade later, the state is way behind schedule.In the first episode of Modo Energy Presents, our new series of video documentaries, we examine why building renewable energy in New York is so difficult - despite strong political support and ambitious targets.We explore:Transmission bottlenecks between upstate and downstate.The NYISO interconnection queue, now holding ~27 GW of projects.Why 90% of proposed projects never reach commercial operations.Interconnection costs that can account for 60% of total project CapEx.Offshore wind policy uncertainty.Capacity market dynamics that favour dispatchable generation.And why battery energy storage economics differ from ERCOT and California.Featuring Peter Berini, Director of Industry at Modo Energy, this episode compares New York's “cluster study” interconnection model with ERCOT's faster “connect and manage” approach - and asks whether structural reform is necessary to hit renewable targets.A Modo Energy production.Music licensed via Artlist.Stock footage licensed via Pond5 (via Everly).This documentary is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.

The UK has a bold target to triple solar capacity within a single parliament, but the path from ambition to deployment is riddled with grid bottlenecks, workforce shortages, and revenue uncertainty.In this episode, Ed Porter sits down with Matt Black Managing Director of IG renewables and Chair of Solar Energy UK, to unpack the realities of delivering large-scale solar in Great Britain, from the aftermath of the connections queue reform to the future role of co-located batteries, the Warm Homes Plan, and what it actually takes to build a solar career in 2025.Chapters00:00:03 Connection Reform Overview00:07:30 Gate Two Shakeout00:09:00 Solar M&A Activity00:13:30 Strategic Energy Planning00:18:30 Co-Located Solar Storage00:22:00 60GW Delivery Challenge00:24:30 EPC Workforce Gap00:28:30 CFD PPA Merchant Revenue00:33:00 Balcony Solar Growth00:37:47 Warm Homes Plan00:45:00 Future Solar Deployment Shift#SolarEnergy #EnergyTransition #RenewableEnergy #CleanPower #UKEnergy

The UK has a bold target to triple solar capacity within a single parliament, but the path from ambition to deployment is riddled with grid bottlenecks, workforce shortages, and revenue uncertainty.In this episode, Ed Porter sits down with Matt Black Managing Director of IG renewables and Chair of Solar Energy UK, to unpack the realities of delivering large-scale solar in Great Britain, from the aftermath of the connections queue reform to the future role of co-located batteries, the Warm Homes Plan, and what it actually takes to build a solar career in 2025.Chapters00:00:03 Connection Reform Overview00:07:30 Gate Two Shakeout00:09:00 Solar M&A Activity00:13:30 Strategic Energy Planning00:18:30 Co-Located Solar Storage00:22:00 60GW Delivery Challenge00:24:30 EPC Workforce Gap00:28:30 CFD PPA Merchant Revenue00:33:00 Balcony Solar Growth00:37:47 Warm Homes Plan00:45:00 Future Solar Deployment Shift#SolarEnergy #EnergyTransition #RenewableEnergy #CleanPower #UKEnergy

AI data center power demand is surging, solar prices are collapsing, and power markets like ERCOT are changing fast.Power trading strategies that worked just three years ago are now obsolete as markets transform in real-time.In this episode, Alex sits down with Terry Embury, Vice President of Trading and Market Operations at AES Clean Energy. The conversation explores the shift in electricity markets driven by solar proliferation, the evolving value proposition of battery storage across different markets, strategic lessons from decades of power trading experience, and how Terry's team is positioning themselves at the intersection of renewable energy and the data center boom that's driving unprecedented electricity demand growth.Chapters- 00:00 Clean Energy Timing Problem- 02:03 AES Company Overview- 04:45 Battery Storage California- 06:38 ERCOT Duck Curve- 08:15 Solar Trading Blocks- 09:45 Battery Revenue Streams- 12:21 CAISO vs ERCOT Batteries- 14:25 Market Volatility Dynamics- 15:30 Offtake Agreements Explained- 17:21 Belfield 500MW Battery- 18:45 Biggest Trade Ever- 21:00 Wind Solar Portfolio Management- 22:14 24/7 Clean Energy Matching- 25:11 Renewable Coverage Pricing- 26:07 Nuclear Energy Outlook- 28:21 SMR Timeline Concerns- 30:56 Nuclear Submarine Stories- 34:52 Transmission Constraint Challenges- 38:19 Data Center Generation Gap- 40:05 AI Growth Inflection Point- 42:00 Battery Market Opportunity- 44:39 AI Prompt Engineering Careers- 46:14 Trading Desk Culture Shift- 48:29 Managing Young Traders- 50:10 Head of Trading Daily Routine- 51:08 Worst Trading Day Story- 53:24 AES Future Announcements- 54:55 Contrarian Energy Market Views#AI #DataCenters #Solar #ERCOT #Batteries #CleanEnergy #Nuclear

AI data center power demand is surging, solar prices are collapsing, and power markets like ERCOT are changing fast.Power trading strategies that worked just three years ago are now obsolete as markets transform in real-time.In this episode, Alex sits down with Terry Embury, Vice President of Trading and Market Operations at AES Clean Energy. The conversation explores the shift in electricity markets driven by solar proliferation, the evolving value proposition of battery storage across different markets, strategic lessons from decades of power trading experience, and how Terry's team is positioning themselves at the intersection of renewable energy and the data center boom that's driving unprecedented electricity demand growth.Chapters- 00:00 Clean Energy Timing Problem- 02:03 AES Company Overview- 04:45 Battery Storage California- 06:38 ERCOT Duck Curve- 08:15 Solar Trading Blocks- 09:45 Battery Revenue Streams- 12:21 CAISO vs ERCOT Batteries- 14:25 Market Volatility Dynamics- 15:30 Offtake Agreements Explained- 17:21 Belfield 500MW Battery- 18:45 Biggest Trade Ever- 21:00 Wind Solar Portfolio Management- 22:14 24/7 Clean Energy Matching- 25:11 Renewable Coverage Pricing- 26:07 Nuclear Energy Outlook- 28:21 SMR Timeline Concerns- 30:56 Nuclear Submarine Stories- 34:52 Transmission Constraint Challenges- 38:19 Data Center Generation Gap- 40:05 AI Growth Inflection Point- 42:00 Battery Market Opportunity- 44:39 AI Prompt Engineering Careers- 46:14 Trading Desk Culture Shift- 48:29 Managing Young Traders- 50:10 Head of Trading Daily Routine- 51:08 Worst Trading Day Story- 53:24 AES Future Announcements- 54:55 Contrarian Energy Market Views#AI #DataCenters #Solar #ERCOT #Batteries #CleanEnergy #Nuclear

The UK's electricity grid connection queue ballooned to over a Terawatt of projects - far more than the country will ever need, creating delays for renewable energy developers trying to bring solar, wind, and battery storage online. Connections reform was designed to clear this gridlock, but delays in the process are now pushing back critical infrastructure decisions that could make or break the UK's 2030 clean energy targets.In this episode, Ed Porter speaks with Ed Birkett, New Projects Director at Low Carbon.The conversation explores the current state of connections reform, the challenges facing renewable energy developers navigating the new grid offer system, the critical role of battery storage co-location with solar projects, and why substation siting decisions have become the new bottleneck for getting clean energy projects built on time.Chapters- 00:00 - Introduction and connections reform recap- 01:44 - The 1,000GW grid queue crisis- 02:04 - Transmission versus distribution network access differences- 03:21 - Gate one and gate two grid offers explained- 04:06 - Current status of gate two notifications- 05:28 - Connection date uncertainty and timeline delays- 07:39 - September deadline for final grid offers- 09:15 - Co-location of batteries with solar projects- 11:42 - Why Ofgem removed batteries from solar schemes- 14:58 - Network capacity constraints and upgrade costs- 17:25 - Active network management and curtailment solutions- 20:33 - Distribution versus transmission network capacity planning- 23:47 - Industry response to battery removal decisions- 26:19 - The business case for solar-battery portfolios- 29:51 - Substation siting challenges and planning delays- 32:44 - National Grid's role in new infrastructure- 35:16 - Summer solar generation and negative prices- 38:16 - How solar projects price curtailment risk- 40:10 - Next steps for connections reform implementation- 42:02 - Critical path issues for 2030 delivery- 43:24 - Contrarian view: using existing networks better

The UK's electricity grid connection queue ballooned to over a Terawatt of projects - far more than the country will ever need, creating delays for renewable energy developers trying to bring solar, wind, and battery storage online. Connections reform was designed to clear this gridlock, but delays in the process are now pushing back critical infrastructure decisions that could make or break the UK's 2030 clean energy targets.In this episode, Ed Porter speaks with Ed Birkett, New Projects Director at Low Carbon.The conversation explores the current state of connections reform, the challenges facing renewable energy developers navigating the new grid offer system, the critical role of battery storage co-location with solar projects, and why substation siting decisions have become the new bottleneck for getting clean energy projects built on time.Chapters- 00:00 - Introduction and connections reform recap- 01:44 - The 1,000GW grid queue crisis- 02:04 - Transmission versus distribution network access differences- 03:21 - Gate one and gate two grid offers explained- 04:06 - Current status of gate two notifications- 05:28 - Connection date uncertainty and timeline delays- 07:39 - September deadline for final grid offers- 09:15 - Co-location of batteries with solar projects- 11:42 - Why Ofgem removed batteries from solar schemes- 14:58 - Network capacity constraints and upgrade costs- 17:25 - Active network management and curtailment solutions- 20:33 - Distribution versus transmission network capacity planning- 23:47 - Industry response to battery removal decisions- 26:19 - The business case for solar-battery portfolios- 29:51 - Substation siting challenges and planning delays- 32:44 - National Grid's role in new infrastructure- 35:16 - Summer solar generation and negative prices- 38:16 - How solar projects price curtailment risk- 40:10 - Next steps for connections reform implementation- 42:02 - Critical path issues for 2030 delivery- 43:24 - Contrarian view: using existing networks better

Power grids are shifting from reactive crisis management to proactive simulation and planning. Utilities can now rehearse extreme weather events, wildfire scenarios, and load surges before they happen, fundamentally changing how the grid stays reliable.Alejandro De Diego speaks with Marcus Johansson, Senior Executive - Wildfire Mitigation, Digital Transformation, Grid Modernization at Xcel Energy. The conversation explores how digital twins, virtual replicas of the physical grid, are enabling utilities to run simulations of weather events, wildfire scenarios, and increasing electricity demand. You can watch or listen to new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.Transmission is a Modo Energy production. Your host is Alejandro De Deigo - VP of Insights.Modo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage understand the market — and make the most out of their assets. Want all the latest power market news? Sign up for our free Weekly Dispatch newsletter: https://bit.ly/TheWeeklyDispatchChapters- 00:03 - Introduction- 01:45 - Xcel Energy Overview- 03:05 - Grid Modernization Role- 04:26 - Digital Twin Technology- 05:27 - Analytics vs Simulations- 06:15 - Wildfire Mitigation Strategies- 07:28 - Advanced Metering Infrastructure- 08:13 - Predictive Maintenance Applications- 08:42 - Data Integration Challenges- 10:29 - Distribution Management Systems- 13:17 - AI Load Forecasting- 14:20 - Peak Demand Management- 16:01 - Sustainability Journey- 16:28 - Energy Transition Motivation- 17:10 - Infrastructure Investment Plans- 18:22 - Transmission Focus Areas- 18:58 - Join Xcel Energy- 19:18 - Contrarian Industry Views- 20:11 - Service Orchestration Mindset- 20:44 - Build vs Buy- 21:25 - Future Generation Optimism

Power grids are shifting from reactive crisis management to proactive simulation and planning. Utilities can now rehearse extreme weather events, wildfire scenarios, and load surges before they happen, fundamentally changing how the grid stays reliable.Alejandro De Diego speaks with Marcus Johansson, Senior Executive - Wildfire Mitigation, Digital Transformation, Grid Modernization at Xcel Energy. The conversation explores how digital twins, virtual replicas of the physical grid, are enabling utilities to run simulations of weather events, wildfire scenarios, and increasing electricity demand. You can watch or listen to new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.Transmission is a Modo Energy production. Your host is Alejandro De Deigo - VP of Insights.Modo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage understand the market — and make the most out of their assets. Want all the latest power market news? Sign up for our free Weekly Dispatch newsletter: https://bit.ly/TheWeeklyDispatchChapters- 00:03 - Introduction- 01:45 - Xcel Energy Overview- 03:05 - Grid Modernization Role- 04:26 - Digital Twin Technology- 05:27 - Analytics vs Simulations- 06:15 - Wildfire Mitigation Strategies- 07:28 - Advanced Metering Infrastructure- 08:13 - Predictive Maintenance Applications- 08:42 - Data Integration Challenges- 10:29 - Distribution Management Systems- 13:17 - AI Load Forecasting- 14:20 - Peak Demand Management- 16:01 - Sustainability Journey- 16:28 - Energy Transition Motivation- 17:10 - Infrastructure Investment Plans- 18:22 - Transmission Focus Areas- 18:58 - Join Xcel Energy- 19:18 - Contrarian Industry Views- 20:11 - Service Orchestration Mindset- 20:44 - Build vs Buy- 21:25 - Future Generation Optimism

Transmission is getting a glow up and we want to hear from you what we can improve. Help us by filling in this short survey. https://form.typeform.com/to/kCdj85iK?typeform-source=www.linkedin.comGas prices spiked over 25% in a week as cold weather and short squeezes created chaos across European and US markets in January 2026.Ed Porter speaks with Seb Kennedy, founder of Energy Flux, about the recent gas market crisis. Kennedy explains the short squeeze mechanics in European markets, US production freeze-offs, Trump's LNG policies, Venezuela's gas flaring tragedy, and Pakistan's solar boom versus LNG commitments.You can watch or listen to new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.Transmission is a Modo Energy production. Your host is Ed Porter - VP of Insights.Modo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage understand the market — and make the most out of their assets. Want all the latest power market news? Sign up for our free Weekly Dispatch newsletterChapters:00:00 - Introduction and January 2026 gas spike01:44 - Seb Kennedy's dual role journalist analyst04:26 - Understanding TTF and Henry Hub hubs05:37 - Investment fund positioning and short squeeze09:05 - Weather patterns driving European gas demand12:13 - Nuclear outages worsening European gas crisis14:44 - US gas price spike explained16:53 - Freeze-offs and US production challenges21:13 - LNG export constraints at Freeport facility25:20 - Trump administration's impact on LNG markets29:20 - Panama Canal and geopolitical LNG considerations30:47 - Venezuela's political upheaval and oil situation32:40 - Venezuela's massive gas flaring crisis35:20 - Pakistan's renewable boom versus LNG commitments42:53 - Key themes to watch in 202644:25 - Contrarian view on import dependence

Transmission is getting a glow up and we want to hear from you what we can improve. Help us by filling in this short survey. https://form.typeform.com/to/kCdj85iK?typeform-source=www.linkedin.comGas prices spiked over 25% in a week as cold weather and short squeezes created chaos across European and US markets in January 2026.Ed Porter speaks with Seb Kennedy, founder of Energy Flux, about the recent gas market crisis. Kennedy explains the short squeeze mechanics in European markets, US production freeze-offs, Trump's LNG policies, Venezuela's gas flaring tragedy, and Pakistan's solar boom versus LNG commitments.You can watch or listen to new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.Transmission is a Modo Energy production. Your host is Ed Porter - VP of Insights.Modo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage understand the market — and make the most out of their assets. Want all the latest power market news? Sign up for our free Weekly Dispatch newsletterChapters:00:00 - Introduction and January 2026 gas spike01:44 - Seb Kennedy's dual role journalist analyst04:26 - Understanding TTF and Henry Hub hubs05:37 - Investment fund positioning and short squeeze09:05 - Weather patterns driving European gas demand12:13 - Nuclear outages worsening European gas crisis14:44 - US gas price spike explained16:53 - Freeze-offs and US production challenges21:13 - LNG export constraints at Freeport facility25:20 - Trump administration's impact on LNG markets29:20 - Panama Canal and geopolitical LNG considerations30:47 - Venezuela's political upheaval and oil situation32:40 - Venezuela's massive gas flaring crisis35:20 - Pakistan's renewable boom versus LNG commitments42:53 - Key themes to watch in 202644:25 - Contrarian view on import dependence

Transmission is getting a glow up and we want to hear from you what we can improve. Help us by filling in this short survey. https://form.typeform.com/to/kCdj85iK?typeform-source=www.linkedin.comCan energy-only market design deliver both reliability and affordability as electricity grids face unprecedented transformation?In this episode, Alex speaks with Keith Collins, Vice President of Commercial Operations at ERCOT, about managing the unprecedented challenges facing Texas's electricity grid. As data centers and AI facilities flood into the state, ERCOT must balance explosive demand growth with affordability and reliability all within an energy-only market structure that's unique among major US grid operators.Chapters:00:00 ERCOT's role in Texas grid management01:09 Electricity market design and efficiency02:28 Winter Storm Uri and resource adequacy04:40 Texas data center boom explained06:39 Energy-only markets and price signals08:18 Grid resource adequacy challenges12:28 Dispatchable reliability reserve service ECRS18:45 Real-time energy and ancillary services22:15 765kV transmission expansion in Texas26:30 Residential demand response and virtual power plants31:45 Comparing ERCOT to other US markets36:27 Future grid technologies and storage growth40:05 Distributed battery systems and grid integration41:05 ERCOT market design frameworkYou can watch or listen to new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.Transmission is a Modo Energy production. Your host is Ed Porter, our VP of Insights.Modo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage understand the market — and make the most out of their assets. Want all the latest power market news? Sign up for our free Weekly Dispatch newsletter: https://bit.ly/TheWeeklyDispatch

Transmission is getting a glow up and we want to hear from you what we can improve. Help us by filling in this short survey. https://form.typeform.com/to/kCdj85iK?typeform-source=www.linkedin.comCan energy-only market design deliver both reliability and affordability as electricity grids face unprecedented transformation?In this episode, Alex speaks with Keith Collins, Vice President of Commercial Operations at ERCOT, about managing the unprecedented challenges facing Texas's electricity grid. As data centers and AI facilities flood into the state, ERCOT must balance explosive demand growth with affordability and reliability all within an energy-only market structure that's unique among major US grid operators.Chapters:00:00 ERCOT's role in Texas grid management01:09 Electricity market design and efficiency02:28 Winter Storm Uri and resource adequacy04:40 Texas data center boom explained06:39 Energy-only markets and price signals08:18 Grid resource adequacy challenges12:28 Dispatchable reliability reserve service ECRS18:45 Real-time energy and ancillary services22:15 765kV transmission expansion in Texas26:30 Residential demand response and virtual power plants31:45 Comparing ERCOT to other US markets36:27 Future grid technologies and storage growth40:05 Distributed battery systems and grid integration41:05 ERCOT market design frameworkYou can watch or listen to new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.Transmission is a Modo Energy production. Your host is Ed Porter, our VP of Insights.Modo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage understand the market — and make the most out of their assets. Want all the latest power market news? Sign up for our free Weekly Dispatch newsletter: https://bit.ly/TheWeeklyDispatch

While the industry often focuses on the cost of the hardware, the real challenge and value lies in successfully delivering, integrating, and operating these assets over their lifetime. As the market matures, the focus shifts from hardware procurement to the complexities of site integration, grid compliance, and ensuring long-term availability.In practice, microgrids are shaping how large-scale energy projects operate, helping to accelerate the use of grid-forming technology. Meanwhile, combining solar with battery storage is becoming an increasingly effective way to reduce wasted energy and improve project economics.In this conversation, Ed speaks with Lucie Kanius-Dujardin, Global Managing Director at NHOA, about what it really takes to deliver complex energy projects at scale. They discuss the realities of managing global supply chains, the push toward higher-capacity battery cells, and why the often-overlooked “brain” of the system - the Power Plant Controller - is just as important as the battery itself.Key topics discussed•Why the Power Plant Controller is critical to smooth commissioning and reliable performance - not just an add-on to the hardware.• How experience with microgrids has created an edge in deploying grid-forming technology on modern transmission networks.• Why more developers are pairing solar with storage to protect revenues and reduce grid constraints.• Whether a single global solution can work across very different local grid rules, from Scotland to Australia.• How integrators are keeping systems reliable as battery cells rapidly increase in size and capacity.About our guestLucie Kanius-Dujardin is the Global Managing Director of NHOA Energy, a global provider of turnkey battery energy storage solutions. With 15 years in the energy sector, she oversees the company's technology, delivery, and long-term asset service pillars across markets in Europe, Australia, and beyond.Connect with Lucie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucie-kanius-dujardin-47855521/?locale=en_USTo find out more about NHOA, head to their website: https://nhoa.energy/About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage understand the market — and make the most out of their assets.All episodes of Transmission are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To stay up to date with our analysis, research, data visualisations, live events, and conversations, follow us on LinkedIn. Explore The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series explaining how power markets work.

While the industry often focuses on the cost of the hardware, the real challenge and value lies in successfully delivering, integrating, and operating these assets over their lifetime. As the market matures, the focus shifts from hardware procurement to the complexities of site integration, grid compliance, and ensuring long-term availability.In practice, microgrids are shaping how large-scale energy projects operate, helping to accelerate the use of grid-forming technology. Meanwhile, combining solar with battery storage is becoming an increasingly effective way to reduce wasted energy and improve project economics.In this conversation, Ed speaks with Lucie Kanius-Dujardin, Global Managing Director at NHOA, about what it really takes to deliver complex energy projects at scale. They discuss the realities of managing global supply chains, the push toward higher-capacity battery cells, and why the often-overlooked “brain” of the system - the Power Plant Controller - is just as important as the battery itself.Key topics discussed•Why the Power Plant Controller is critical to smooth commissioning and reliable performance - not just an add-on to the hardware.• How experience with microgrids has created an edge in deploying grid-forming technology on modern transmission networks.• Why more developers are pairing solar with storage to protect revenues and reduce grid constraints.• Whether a single global solution can work across very different local grid rules, from Scotland to Australia.• How integrators are keeping systems reliable as battery cells rapidly increase in size and capacity.About our guestLucie Kanius-Dujardin is the Global Managing Director of NHOA Energy, a global provider of turnkey battery energy storage solutions. With 15 years in the energy sector, she oversees the company's technology, delivery, and long-term asset service pillars across markets in Europe, Australia, and beyond.Connect with Lucie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucie-kanius-dujardin-47855521/?locale=en_USTo find out more about NHOA, head to their website: https://nhoa.energy/About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage understand the market — and make the most out of their assets.All episodes of Transmission are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To stay up to date with our analysis, research, data visualisations, live events, and conversations, follow us on LinkedIn. Explore The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series explaining how power markets work.

The power grid is getting harder to run. There's more wind and solar on the system, more sudden weather shocks, and less room for mistakes. How can the energy industry move past basic demand forecasts and focus on the tougher question: what's the grid really going to need once you account for renewables?In this conversation, Alex is joined by Sean Kelly, CEO of Amperon. They explore how new weather models are offering better visibility for renewables and how the growing impact of data centers on electricity demand and grid planning is affecting markets, from Texas to Europe.Key topics discussed:• How forecasting accuracy can make or break performance during grid stress events.• Why forecasting 'net demand' is changing how renewable generation and storage is operated and traded.• How better forecasting is changing who wins (and loses) in power markets.• How data access and quality varies across ERCOT, NYISO, and European TSOs.• What rapid data center growth means for load, reliability, and energy security.About our guestSean Kelly is the Co-founder and CEO of Amperon, an AI-powered forecasting company built for the energy transition. Former energy trader with 20+ years of experience, including managing power portfolios and nuclear integration at EDF. Sean started Amperon after seeing firsthand how messy and limiting energy data can be and how much better decisions could be with the right tools. Find Sean on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-kelly-0792626/For more information on Amperon, head to their website: https://www.amperon.co/About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage understand the market — and make the most out of their assets.All episodes of Transmission are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To stay up to date with our analysis, research, data visualisations, live events, and conversations, follow us on LinkedIn. Explore The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series explaining how power markets work.#renewableenergy #AI #datacenter #EnergyStorage

The power grid is getting harder to run. There's more wind and solar on the system, more sudden weather shocks, and less room for mistakes. How can the energy industry move past basic demand forecasts and focus on the tougher question: what's the grid really going to need once you account for renewables?In this conversation, Alex is joined by Sean Kelly, CEO of Amperon. They explore how new weather models are offering better visibility for renewables and how the growing impact of data centers on electricity demand and grid planning is affecting markets, from Texas to Europe.Key topics discussed:• How forecasting accuracy can make or break performance during grid stress events.• Why forecasting 'net demand' is changing how renewable generation and storage is operated and traded.• How better forecasting is changing who wins (and loses) in power markets.• How data access and quality varies across ERCOT, NYISO, and European TSOs.• What rapid data center growth means for load, reliability, and energy security.About our guestSean Kelly is the Co-founder and CEO of Amperon, an AI-powered forecasting company built for the energy transition. Former energy trader with 20+ years of experience, including managing power portfolios and nuclear integration at EDF. Sean started Amperon after seeing firsthand how messy and limiting energy data can be and how much better decisions could be with the right tools. Find Sean on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-kelly-0792626/For more information on Amperon, head to their website: https://www.amperon.co/About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage understand the market — and make the most out of their assets.All episodes of Transmission are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To stay up to date with our analysis, research, data visualisations, live events, and conversations, follow us on LinkedIn. Explore The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series explaining how power markets work.#renewableenergy #AI #datacenter #EnergyStorage

Batteries are no longer just shifting energy from one time of day to another - they're becoming critical grid infrastructure. But to unlock their full potential, we need smarter ways to manage billions of data points in real time, so storage can deliver everything from peak shaving to power quality and grid support and keep them operating safely, efficiently, and optimally.In this conversation, Ed is joined by Roger Hollies, Chief Technical Officer at Arenko. Over the conversation, they discuss how market governance needs to evolve, why it's time to crack open the ‘black box' of automated trading, and how ‘rules as code' could be the key to unlocking a cleaner, cheaper energy future.Key topics discussed:How software can make ultra-complex battery assets manageable.Why batteries are overtaking fossil fuels in essential grid roles like frequency response, voltage control, and inertia.The data infrastructure required to handle seven billion datapoints a day across global energy portfolios.How open-source, “rules as code” market design could speed up innovation.What must regulators do to enforce fair markets and guarantee top-tier service delivery.About our guestRoger Hollies is the Chief Technology Officer at Arenko, where he leads the development of Arenko's Nimbus platform, a software solution that currently manages 1.2 gigawatts of battery, solar, and wind assets across the UK and international markets. Connect with Roger on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-hollies-a0650012/For more information on Arenko, head to their website: https://arenko.group/About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage understand the market — and make the most out of their assets.All episodes of Transmission are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To stay up to date with our analysis, research, data visualisations, live events, and conversations, follow us on LinkedIn. Explore The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series explaining how power markets work.

Batteries are no longer just shifting energy from one time of day to another - they're becoming critical grid infrastructure. But to unlock their full potential, we need smarter ways to manage billions of data points in real time, so storage can deliver everything from peak shaving to power quality and grid support and keep them operating safely, efficiently, and optimally.In this conversation, Ed is joined by Roger Hollies, Chief Technical Officer at Arenko. Over the conversation, they discuss how market governance needs to evolve, why it's time to crack open the ‘black box' of automated trading, and how ‘rules as code' could be the key to unlocking a cleaner, cheaper energy future.Key topics discussed:How software can make ultra-complex battery assets manageable.Why batteries are overtaking fossil fuels in essential grid roles like frequency response, voltage control, and inertia.The data infrastructure required to handle seven billion datapoints a day across global energy portfolios.How open-source, “rules as code” market design could speed up innovation.What must regulators do to enforce fair markets and guarantee top-tier service delivery.About our guestRoger Hollies is the Chief Technology Officer at Arenko, where he leads the development of Arenko's Nimbus platform, a software solution that currently manages 1.2 gigawatts of battery, solar, and wind assets across the UK and international markets. Connect with Roger on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-hollies-a0650012/For more information on Arenko, head to their website: https://arenko.group/About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage understand the market — and make the most out of their assets.All episodes of Transmission are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To stay up to date with our analysis, research, data visualisations, live events, and conversations, follow us on LinkedIn. Explore The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series explaining how power markets work.

The AI boom has led to unprecedented demand for data centers in the US. With interconnection queues stretching for years, hyperscalers can no longer wait for traditional grid capacity to catch up. In this episode, Alex speaks with Peter Sawicki - Vice President of Business Development of Emerging Technologies at Mitsubishi Power Americas. They explore how the industry is pivoting to "bring your own power" solutions to bridge the gap. They discuss how manufacturers are pairing trailer-mounted gas turbines with battery storage to deliver the critical reliability that data centers require, along with the evolving role of gas in the transition, the technical reality of hydrogen-ready infrastructure, and why the immediate priority has shifted from decarbonization to pure deliverability.Key topics discussedWhy unprecedented load growth from AI and domestic offshoring has caught the power industry by surprise.How developers are bypassing long interconnection queues.Why pairing gas generation with battery storage is essential for managing the millisecond demand surges of large language models.What ‘hydrogen-ready' actually mean for turbine technology and the future of long-duration seasonal storage.How the industry's priority stack fundamentally shifted from long-term decarbonization goals to immediate speed to power.About our guest.Peter Sawicki is the leader of the Emerging Technologies group at Mitsubishi Power, a division of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. A veteran of the power industry with 30 years of experience, Peter has spent the last 11 years at Mitsubishi. In his current role, Peter focuses on business development for "non-conventional" customers, specifically targeting hyperscalers, co-locators, and land developers navigating the massive data center build-out driven by the AI boom. You can find Peter on LinkedIn here About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage understand the market — and make the most out of their assets.All episodes of Transmission are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To stay up to date with our analysis, research, data visualisations, live events, and conversations, follow us on LinkedIn. Explore The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series explaining how power markets work.

The AI boom has led to unprecedented demand for data centers in the US. With interconnection queues stretching for years, hyperscalers can no longer wait for traditional grid capacity to catch up. In this episode, Alex speaks with Peter Sawicki - Vice President of Business Development of Emerging Technologies at Mitsubishi Power Americas. They explore how the industry is pivoting to "bring your own power" solutions to bridge the gap. They discuss how manufacturers are pairing trailer-mounted gas turbines with battery storage to deliver the critical reliability that data centers require, along with the evolving role of gas in the transition, the technical reality of hydrogen-ready infrastructure, and why the immediate priority has shifted from decarbonization to pure deliverability.Key topics discussedWhy unprecedented load growth from AI and domestic offshoring has caught the power industry by surprise.How developers are bypassing long interconnection queues.Why pairing gas generation with battery storage is essential for managing the millisecond demand surges of large language models.What ‘hydrogen-ready' actually mean for turbine technology and the future of long-duration seasonal storage.How the industry's priority stack fundamentally shifted from long-term decarbonization goals to immediate speed to power.About our guest.Peter Sawicki is the leader of the Emerging Technologies group at Mitsubishi Power, a division of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. A veteran of the power industry with 30 years of experience, Peter has spent the last 11 years at Mitsubishi. In his current role, Peter focuses on business development for "non-conventional" customers, specifically targeting hyperscalers, co-locators, and land developers navigating the massive data center build-out driven by the AI boom. You can find Peter on LinkedIn here About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage understand the market — and make the most out of their assets.All episodes of Transmission are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To stay up to date with our analysis, research, data visualisations, live events, and conversations, follow us on LinkedIn. Explore The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series explaining 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.https://bit.ly/TheWeeklyDispatchNavigating the energy transition requires more than just building assets; it requires a deep understanding of how to price risk in a market that is fundamentally cannibalising itself as it grows.The transition to a renewables dominated energy system requires expert commercial strategy, especially in the volatile realm of battery storage and renewable certificate. Ed Porter is joined by Josh Brown - Operations Team Manager at SSE plc to explore what the front office operations of a major utility look like in practice and what navigating market saturation in batteries and the management of third-party assets using financing tools like tolls and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).Key topics covered: •How utility origination teams manage the commercial complexity of battery assets in a fundamentally "self-cannibalizing" market?•What internal process are required to negotiate and approve complex, high-risk contracts such as tolls.• Is the energy sector prepared for the disruptive market shift from annual REGO matching to a 24/7 hourly certification system?• How commercial teams are structuring PPAs between developers and offtakers.• Whether Contracts for Difference (CFD) rules are creating significant exposure for large offtakers.About our guestJosh Brown is the Origination Team Manager at SSE, working within the Energy Markets division, managing market-facing power and gas positions for both SSE's own extensive asset base and third-party clients. He specialises in navigating the complexities of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for solar, wind, and hydro, alongside structured battery optimisation products and the management of green certificate trading (including REGOs and ROCs) for the entire group. Connect with Josh here https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-brown-4a8b0336/?originalSubdomain=ukSSE is a leading clean energy utility with a major presence across Great Britain and Ireland. The group is active across the entire energy value chain, including renewable and thermal generation, electricity networks, and supply. SSE has contracted over 2 GW of batteries and 3 GW of CfD-backed assets in the last two years alone for more information, head to their website. https://www.sse.com/About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage understand the market — and make the most out of their assets.All episodes of Transmission are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To stay up to date with our analysis, research, data visualisations, live events, and conversations, follow us on LinkedIn. Explore The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series explaining 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.https://bit.ly/TheWeeklyDispatchNavigating the energy transition requires more than just building assets; it requires a deep understanding of how to price risk in a market that is fundamentally cannibalising itself as it grows.The transition to a renewables dominated energy system requires expert commercial strategy, especially in the volatile realm of battery storage and renewable certificate. Ed Porter is joined by Josh Brown - Operations Team Manager at SSE plc to explore what the front office operations of a major utility look like in practice and what navigating market saturation in batteries and the management of third-party assets using financing tools like tolls and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).Key topics covered: •How utility origination teams manage the commercial complexity of battery assets in a fundamentally "self-cannibalizing" market?•What internal process are required to negotiate and approve complex, high-risk contracts such as tolls.• Is the energy sector prepared for the disruptive market shift from annual REGO matching to a 24/7 hourly certification system?• How commercial teams are structuring PPAs between developers and offtakers.• Whether Contracts for Difference (CFD) rules are creating significant exposure for large offtakers.About our guestJosh Brown is the Origination Team Manager at SSE, working within the Energy Markets division, managing market-facing power and gas positions for both SSE's own extensive asset base and third-party clients. He specialises in navigating the complexities of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for solar, wind, and hydro, alongside structured battery optimisation products and the management of green certificate trading (including REGOs and ROCs) for the entire group. Connect with Josh here https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-brown-4a8b0336/?originalSubdomain=ukSSE is a leading clean energy utility with a major presence across Great Britain and Ireland. The group is active across the entire energy value chain, including renewable and thermal generation, electricity networks, and supply. SSE has contracted over 2 GW of batteries and 3 GW of CfD-backed assets in the last two years alone for more information, head to their website. https://www.sse.com/About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage understand the market — and make the most out of their assets.All episodes of Transmission are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To stay up to date with our analysis, research, data visualisations, live events, and conversations, follow us on LinkedIn. Explore The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series explaining 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.https://bit.ly/TheWeeklyDispatchThe UK energy transition faces a critical bottleneck: a planning system crippled by risk aversion and procedural overload. In this episode, we explore the reality behind infrastructure delivery, from the 47 recommendations of the UK Prime Minister's nuclear regulatory task force to the exploding demand for data centers. In this episode, Mustafa Latif-Aramesh (Partner and Parliamentary Agent at TLT ) joins Ed to examine how overlapping regulation and institutional duplication push developers toward compliance theatre rather than meaningful environmental protection, epitomised by Hinkley Point C's infamous £700 million “fish disco.” The conversation explores what it would take to move the UK from a process-obsessed planning regime to one that rewards outcomes, accelerates delivery, and underpins the next wave of digital and energy infrastructure.Key topics covered:Why the UK's infrastructure planning system prioritises administrative process over real environmental outcomes.How spending £700 million to protect a fraction of a salmon population reveals a breakdown in regulatory proportionality.Whether a single Nuclear Regulatory Commission could cut duplicative red tape and unlock faster decommissioning and new nuclear build.Is the Planning Inspectorate equipped to handle 500 proposed data centres alongside the wider energy transition?Can co-locating Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) with data centres address the sector's “five nines” reliability challenge?About our guestMustafa Latif-Aramesh is a Partner at the law firm TLT, where he specialises in infrastructure planning across the entire energy spectrum from transmission lines and battery storage to wind, solar, and nuclear. He recently served on the Prime Minister's Nuclear Regulatory Task Force, a specialist group established to diagnose why building nuclear capacity in Britain takes so long and to identify solutions for expediting deliveryWorking alongside industry leaders and economists, Mustafa helped author a report containing 47 recommendations designed to eliminate regulatory duplication and shift the system's focus from administrative process to tangible outcomes. Beyond nuclear, he advises on the planning challenges facing the UK's rapidly expanding data center pipeline, advocating for a system that balances environmental standards with the need for critical infrastructure. You can follow his analysis on TLT's infrastructure planning blog. Connect with Mustafa on Linkedin here. About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage understand the market — and make the most out of their assets.All episodes of Transmission are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To stay up to date with our analysis, research, data visualisations, live events, and conversations, follow us on LinkedIn. Explore The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series explaining 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.https://bit.ly/TheWeeklyDispatchThe UK energy transition faces a critical bottleneck: a planning system crippled by risk aversion and procedural overload. In this episode, we explore the reality behind infrastructure delivery, from the 47 recommendations of the UK Prime Minister's nuclear regulatory task force to the exploding demand for data centers. In this episode, Mustafa Latif-Aramesh (Partner and Parliamentary Agent at TLT ) joins Ed to examine how overlapping regulation and institutional duplication push developers toward compliance theatre rather than meaningful environmental protection, epitomised by Hinkley Point C's infamous £700 million “fish disco.” The conversation explores what it would take to move the UK from a process-obsessed planning regime to one that rewards outcomes, accelerates delivery, and underpins the next wave of digital and energy infrastructure.Key topics covered:Why the UK's infrastructure planning system prioritises administrative process over real environmental outcomes.How spending £700 million to protect a fraction of a salmon population reveals a breakdown in regulatory proportionality.Whether a single Nuclear Regulatory Commission could cut duplicative red tape and unlock faster decommissioning and new nuclear build.Is the Planning Inspectorate equipped to handle 500 proposed data centres alongside the wider energy transition?Can co-locating Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) with data centres address the sector's “five nines” reliability challenge?About our guestMustafa Latif-Aramesh is a Partner at the law firm TLT, where he specialises in infrastructure planning across the entire energy spectrum from transmission lines and battery storage to wind, solar, and nuclear. He recently served on the Prime Minister's Nuclear Regulatory Task Force, a specialist group established to diagnose why building nuclear capacity in Britain takes so long and to identify solutions for expediting deliveryWorking alongside industry leaders and economists, Mustafa helped author a report containing 47 recommendations designed to eliminate regulatory duplication and shift the system's focus from administrative process to tangible outcomes. Beyond nuclear, he advises on the planning challenges facing the UK's rapidly expanding data center pipeline, advocating for a system that balances environmental standards with the need for critical infrastructure. You can follow his analysis on TLT's infrastructure planning blog. Connect with Mustafa on Linkedin here. About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage understand the market — and make the most out of their assets.All episodes of Transmission are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To stay up to date with our analysis, research, data visualisations, live events, and conversations, follow us on LinkedIn. Explore The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series explaining 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.https://bit.ly/TheWeeklyDispatchSolar projects in Great Britain are often framed as a trade-off: can we combat climate change without compromising the countryside? Increasingly, the answer is yes. Across the country, solar developers are not only installing panels but actively restoring and enhancing the ecosystems around them.Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is reshaping what responsible solar development looks like. Many leading projects are far exceeding the statutory 10% requirement, transforming intensively farmed monoculture into thriving habitats. These sites now deliver clean power while providing farmers with stable, long-term income—showing we don't have to choose between renewable energy and rich, living landscapes.In this conversation, Fran Button - deputy CEO at British Solar Renewables joins Ed to unpack how solar developers are designing projects that benefit both the grid and the natural world.• Why ecologists must establish a biodiversity baseline before construction begins.• How some developments are achieving BNG scores of 200% or more - well beyond what regulations demand.• Whether high-tech energy generation can genuinely coexist with low-tech agriculture.• Dispelling the misconception that solar farms are empty that solar developments lack ecological value.• How solar energy is providing farmers with a stable income stream that allows them to continue farming.About our guestFran Button is Deputy CEO of British Solar Renewables where she is responsible for all aspects of risk management and ESG. With a background as a specialist non-contentious construction lawyer involved in drafting and negotiating complex building contracts. Fran has particular expertise in renewables projects having being involved in large-scale solar development and funding and energy from waste projects.British Solar Renewables are developing, building, and operating renewable energy projects that power homes, businesses, and communities. From green fields to grid connection - creating clean energy that strengthens the UK's resilience, supports biodiversity, and delivers lasting value for people and the planet. For more information head to their website. https://britishrenewables.com/About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage understand the market — and make the most out of their assets.All episodes of Transmission are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To stay up to date with our analysis, research, data visualisations, live events, and conversations, follow us on LinkedIn. Explore The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series explaining 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.https://bit.ly/TheWeeklyDispatchSolar projects in Great Britain are often framed as a trade-off: can we combat climate change without compromising the countryside? Increasingly, the answer is yes. Across the country, solar developers are not only installing panels but actively restoring and enhancing the ecosystems around them.Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is reshaping what responsible solar development looks like. Many leading projects are far exceeding the statutory 10% requirement, transforming intensively farmed monoculture into thriving habitats. These sites now deliver clean power while providing farmers with stable, long-term income—showing we don't have to choose between renewable energy and rich, living landscapes.In this conversation, Fran Button - deputy CEO at British Solar Renewables joins Ed to unpack how solar developers are designing projects that benefit both the grid and the natural world.• Why ecologists must establish a biodiversity baseline before construction begins.• How some developments are achieving BNG scores of 200% or more - well beyond what regulations demand.• Whether high-tech energy generation can genuinely coexist with low-tech agriculture.• Dispelling the misconception that solar farms are empty that solar developments lack ecological value.• How solar energy is providing farmers with a stable income stream that allows them to continue farming.About our guestFran Button is Deputy CEO of British Solar Renewables where she is responsible for all aspects of risk management and ESG. With a background as a specialist non-contentious construction lawyer involved in drafting and negotiating complex building contracts. Fran has particular expertise in renewables projects having being involved in large-scale solar development and funding and energy from waste projects.British Solar Renewables are developing, building, and operating renewable energy projects that power homes, businesses, and communities. From green fields to grid connection - creating clean energy that strengthens the UK's resilience, supports biodiversity, and delivers lasting value for people and the planet. For more information head to their website. https://britishrenewables.com/About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage understand the market — and make the most out of their assets.All episodes of Transmission are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To stay up to date with our analysis, research, data visualisations, live events, and conversations, follow us on LinkedIn. Explore The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series explaining 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.https://bit.ly/TheWeeklyDispatchThe global energy sector is increasingly exposed to unpredicatble weather. Wind droughts and extreme temperatures can create massive financial instability. How do renewables that rely on an ever increasingly hard to predict energy source - manage the risk that the sun might not shine, and the wind might not blow?This episode demystifies the multi-billion-pound market of weather derivatives, exploring how energy utilities, renewable asset owners, and battery optimisers use these customised structured products - using signals like Heating Degree Days, wind speeds, or precipitation to effectively transfer operational riskKey topics covered:- How thus multi-billion-pound market operates almost entirely out of sight.- How a single wind drought drained €1.6 billion from Germany's energy system - highlighting why hedging renewable-generation risk has become mission-critical.- The financial “Lego bricks” that allow traders to build bespoke weather protection.- Why battery owners must hedge against boring weather and how low-volatility conditions could quietly erode their revenues.- Why financiers are insisting on weather insurance before funding new renewable assets.About our guestsTheresa Kammel - Weather Derivative Originator and Pierre Buisson - Senior Structurer, Weather and Energy work at Munich Re, one of the world's leading providers of reinsurance, primary insurance and insurance-related risk solutions. Munich Re is also playing a key role in driving forward the digital transformation of the insurance industry. For more information, head to their website. https://www.munichre.com/en.htmlAbout Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All episodes of Transmission are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To stay up to date with our analysis, research, data visualisations, live events, and conversations, follow us on LinkedIn. Explore The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series explaining how power markets work.