Optimization in Australia’s National Electricity Market with Matt Grover (Fluence)

Operating a battery in Australia’s National Electricity Market (NEM) is no simple task. With a five-minute dispatch interval, nodal pricing, and an energy-only market structure, success hinges on the ability to process and respond to massive amounts of data in real time. These unique market dynamics demand sophisticated strategies for battery optimization, underpinned by algorithmic bidding and advanced forecasting.

As renewable penetration grows and the grid becomes more volatile, batteries are playing a pivotal role in providing fast, flexible support. But unlocking their full value requires a deep understanding of the NEM’s fast-paced, data-driven environment—where every five minutes counts.

In this episode, Matt Grover, Director of Sales Engineering and Energy Markets for Fluence in APAC - joins Wendel Hortop to discuss what optimization looks like in the NEM.

Over the course of the conversation, you’ll hear about:

• How algorithmic bidding continues to evolve in the NEM, demanding adaptability to successfully optimize batteries.
• Challenges faced by asset owners in managing state of charge in real time.
• Local dispatch prices vs. regional settlement prices in Australia.
• The emergence of virtual toll agreements in the NEM.

• The growth of battery portfolios and the challenge of co-optimization.

About our guest

Fluence is on a mission to create a more sustainable future by transforming the way we power our world. Fluence brings proven energy storage products and services, and digital applications for renewables and storage to support the modernization of our energy networks. For more information on the services Fluence provides, check out their website.

Matt leads the Energy Markets team and the Sales Engineering function within Fluence's Digital division in APAC, looking after Fluence's Mosaic software product offering and helping dozens of renewable generators and BESS assets trade in Australia's National Electricity Market.

About Modo Energy

Modo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.

All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work.