As the industry evolves, the role of battery storage is expanding beyond just wholesale trading. The demand for stability services such as synthetic inertia and reactive power are increasing as more renewables enter the grid. In this episode, we take a look Zenobē’s Blackhillock BESS project, the UK’s first large-scale battery storage project with a stability contract from National Grid. Feautring grid-forming inverters, it aims to provide crucial reactive power and inertia to support renewable energy integration.Please note: This episode was recorded January 9th, at which point the Blackhillock project was in the final stages of commissioning. At the point of publishing, Zenobē’s Blackhillock project is now operational.Tom Palmer, Head of Business Development in Network Infrastructure at Zenobē shares insights into the evolving landscape of battery storage, including the impact of grid constraints, investment outlook, and the role of stability services. Over the conversation, you’ll hear about:The 200MW/400MWh Black Hillock storage project: the UK’s largest battery storage facility and the first commercial deployment of grid-forming inverters.New stability contracts providing reactive power, inertia, and short circuit level.Evolution of battery storage market from frequency response to wholesale markets.The challenge of ‘skip rates’ and the impact they have on investment outlook in energy storage.Future pathways for storage, including co-location with renewable assets and policy shifts.About our guest Zenobē design, finance, build and operate battery solutions. Capturing renewable energy, balancing supply on the grid and transporting it to electric vehicles. Zenobē also focus on end-of-life repurposing of battery storage systems. Tom Palmer leads the business development team at Zenobē’s standalone storage and network infrastructure division. His team focuses on developing large-scale grid storage solutions, with a key emphasis on new revenue streams and the evolving business case for battery storage. About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work.

Brandon Faber, Director at NORD/LB, shares his expertise in financing renewable energy, focusing on battery energy storage projects. He discusses the complexities of raising capital in this field, including how banks evaluate and structure financing. Brandon elaborates on the significance of tolling agreements and how merchant risk impacts lending decisions. He also highlights the relationship between solar energy and battery storage, while shedding light on the evolving landscape shaped by incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act.

Dr. Neil Kidner, Co-Founder and CSO at Adena Power, shares insights into the promising world of sodium-ion batteries. He discusses how sodium-based solid-state batteries can provide a safer and more sustainable alternative to lithium-ion technology. With challenges in lithium supply chains, sodium-ion may be the answer for large-scale grid storage. Neil emphasizes the importance of innovative materials, domestic supply chains, and engaging stakeholders to drive advancements in energy storage. He also explores the potential impact of these technologies on achieving net-zero emissions.

Shyam Srinivasan, CEO and Co-Founder of Zitara Technologies, specializes in advanced battery analytics and real-time edge monitoring for energy storage. He discusses how battery management systems' inaccuracies can lead to significant financial losses. Shyam explains the challenges of lithium iron phosphate batteries and the need for accurate data in energy trading. He advocates for a shift towards real-time edge computing, emphasizing its advantages over cloud analytics, and highlights essential data requirements for better procurement in the battery sector.

In this engaging discussion, Campbell Faulkner, Senior VP and Chief Data Analyst at OTC Global Holdings, unpacks the complexities of commodity markets. He emphasizes the crucial role of interdealer brokers in enhancing market stability through anonymity and liquidity. The conversation reveals how market regulation and volatility shape trading strategies, and why over-the-counter markets are vital for risk management. Faulkner also shares a contrarian perspective on net-zero policies, exploring the challenges and innovations needed for sustainable energy infrastructure.

Join Paul Reed, Founder and CEO of RSunrise Energy, as he dives into the evolving landscape of battery storage in the Northeast. With nearly a decade of experience, he discusses how queue reform is reshaping PJM and NYISO's market dynamics. Paul highlights why 2025 could be a pivotal year for capacity prices and how state incentives are paving the way for investment. He also explains the role of the Inflation Reduction Act and the significance of local manufacturing in driving the region's energy transition.

Guy Nicholson, Head of Grid Integration UK at Statkraft, shares his 33 years of expertise in renewable energy. He discusses the rising complexities of grid stability with the increase of wind and solar power. Synchronous compensators are highlighted as key technologies that provide necessary inertia. Guy explains their operational dynamics and contrasts them with battery-based responses. The conversation touches on the National Grid's Stability Pathfinder program and the critical lessons learned from the 2019 blackout, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions in energy management.

Catherine Cleary, a Specialist Connections Engineer at Roadnight Taylor, and Joe Colebrook, Head of Grid Connections at Innova, delve into the complex world of grid connections. They unpack the arduous process of integrating renewable energy projects into the UK’s electrical grid, discussing both commercial and engineering perspectives. The guests emphasize the urgent need for reform and collaboration to meet the Clean Power 2030 goals. They also explore innovative solutions, such as connection pots, which could streamline project approvals and enhance overall efficiency.

In this engaging discussion, Ali Karimian, Market Optimization Director at GridBeyond, delves into the fast-evolving landscape of energy markets and battery storage strategies. He highlights the dynamic nature of markets like ERCOT and PJM while discussing the recent capacity market overhaul. Ali reveals how cryptocurrency miners are becoming key players in energy markets, aiding grid stability and unlocking new revenue streams. He also shares insights on regulatory changes and innovative optimization strategies to maximize battery revenues.

In this engaging discussion, Alex Leemon, Flexibility Markets Lead at Gridcog, dives into Australia's National Electricity Market (NEM) and its transition towards renewable energy. He sheds light on the disparity in renewable adoption across states and the critical role of AEMO in maintaining system stability. The conversation explores the current challenges including battery capacity growth, the impact of rooftop solar on grid dynamics, and the ambitious goal of achieving 82% renewable energy by 2030 amidst market volatility.