Podcast Archives - Oxford Institute for Energy Studies

In this latest episode of the OIES Electricity Programme podcast, Dimitra Apostolopoulou speaks with Sarah Montgomery, CEO and Co-Founder of Infyos, about the critical role of energy storage in achieving net zero. Building on Sarah’s recent presentation at the OIES annual Energy Transition event in June, the conversation begins with a deep dive into how storage technologies fit within the broader strategy for delivering reliable, low-carbon electricity systems. Dimitra and Sarah discuss the scale of storage needed to meet decarbonisation targets and examine where deployment is accelerating most rapidly, from China and the United States to emerging regional markets. They unpack the economics of storage, exploring how projects generate revenue today, how business models may evolve amid price volatility, and how policy tools such as capacity markets or cap-and-floor schemes provide revenue stability. Beyond economics, the episode also highlights key bottlenecks, including grid infrastructure constraints, permitting delays, and the global competition for critical minerals that underpin battery supply chains. Sarah offers her perspective on how these challenges intersect with geopolitics and supply security, providing a view of what it will take to scale up energy storage in the years ahead. The post OIES Podcast – Storage in the Energy Transition: Reality Check and Challenges appeared first on Oxford Institute for Energy Studies.

Dimitra Apostolopoulou, a Research Fellow specializing in electricity system coordination and decarbonisation, discusses her co-authored paper on energy system challenges. She highlights the complexities of coordinating a diverse array of stakeholders, from large operators to individual prosumers. Key issues include misaligned incentives and systemic risks that hinder effective transitions to net zero. Dimitra advocates for a hybrid governance model, blending authoritative oversight with market mechanisms to enhance coordination and efficiency as we navigate a carbon-constrained future.