As Europe accelerates toward a low-carbon electricity system, storage is under the spotlight. But while battery deployments are scaling quickly, long-duration assets like pumped hydro remain a crucial part of the flexibility mix.

So how do these technologies complement each other, and what’s really needed to make large-scale storage viable across different European markets?

In this episode of Transmission, Ed talks with Lukas Gresnigt (Member of Executive Board) and Nadiya Vargola (Head of BESS Business Development) at Alpiq.

Over the conversation they explore Alpiq’s approach to balancing legacy infrastructure with modern flexibility. From developing batteries across multiple markets to operating an 80-to-100 year lifespan pumped hydro plant in the Swiss Alps, this conversation dives into the commercial realities of grid-scale storage. You’ll hear how Alpiq is navigating cross-border market design, adapting gas peaker strategies in solar-saturated regions like Iberia, and structuring long-term investments in flexibility across Europe.

Key insights include:

How pumped hydro and batteries complement each other, and where each technology shines
What it takes to bring large storage projects to life, from decade-long build times to multigenerational returns
How Alpiq is acquiring and developing BESS assets across European markets
Why Iberia is a case study in flexibility, and how legacy gas assets are adapting to new solar peaks
What market reforms are needed to unlock storage at the scale the energy transition demands

About our guests

Nadiya Vargola is Head of BESS Business Development at Alpiq. With over 12 years in the energy sector, she is a key part of Alpiq's core team in implementing flexibility strategy and is involved in building & managing Alpiq's portfolio of BESS opportunities across Europe.

Lukas Gresnigt is Head of International at Alpiq, overseeing the company’s activities outside Switzerland. His work focuses on expanding Alpiq’s commercial footprint across European energy markets, with a particular emphasis on flexibility, market access, and innovation.

For more information - head to Alpiq's website.

About Modo 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.

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