Transmission

As Europe’s energy markets evolve, the Nordic region provides a fascinating case study. High hydro penetration, cross-border interconnections, and shifting regulatory frameworks are shaping a unique electricity market with lessons for the rest of the continent. From Sweden’s shift to zonal pricing to growing debates around consumer fairness and the future role of storage, the region continues to test the boundaries of what a flexible, renewable-heavy market can look like and what it means for the rest of Europe.In this episode of Transmission, Ed is joined by Riku Merikoski, Senior Power Analyst at Axpo Group, to explore the distinct challenges and opportunities in the Nordics. Over the course of the conversation, you’ll hear about:The role of batteries in the Nordics – in a system already dominated by flexible hydro, where exactly do batteries fit in?Swedens move away from a national market in 2011 and adoption of a zonal market structure.Interconnection and integration in the region.Rethinking fairness in energy policy – who really needs support, and should subsidies extend to second homes?What the Nordics can teach the rest of Europe (and the world) about balancing renewable integration, price signals, and consumer outcomes.About our guestAxpo Group is Switzerland’s largest producer of renewable energy and a leading international player in energy trading and the marketing of solar and wind power. Headquartered in Baden, the company operates across more than 30 countries in Europe, North America, and Asia, offering innovative energy solutions to industrial and commercial customers. With a diverse portfolio that includes hydropower, nuclear, biomass, and gas-fired plants, Axpo is committed to enabling a sustainable future through technological innovation and strategic investments in clean energy. For more info, head to their website.Riku Merikoski is a Senior Power Analyst at Axpo Group, specializing in Nordic and UK power market analysis within the company's fundamental analysis team. With over a decade of experience in the North European power markets, his insights have supported significant investments across major low-carbon power production technologies.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.

Riku Merikoski, a Senior Power Analyst at Axpo Group with over a decade of experience in Nordic power markets, dives deep into the complexities of electricity in the Nordic region. He discusses Sweden's transition to zonal pricing and how hydroelectric power plays a pivotal role in balancing renewable energy. Riku also explores the strategic integration of battery storage and the ongoing debates around consumer fairness in energy policy, highlighting what these innovations mean for Europe's broader energy landscape.

As the energy transition accelerates, batteries are no longer just utility-scale infrastructure - they're moving into homes, neighbourhoods, and communities. Residential storage is emerging as a powerful tool for improving grid reliability, reducing electricity costs, and giving consumers more control over their energy use. This shift is being driven by falling technology costs, growing demand for backup power, and the need for faster, more flexible ways to support an increasingly electrified grid.While most attention in the battery world focuses on utility-scale systems, Base Power is scaling something different: a distributed, behind-the-meter fleet of residential batteries installed across Texas homes.Zach walks us through the business model, the reasons residential deployment is faster and more scalable than many assume, and how Base’s vertically integrated strategy is unlocking both customer trust and capital efficiency. From billing and software to partnerships with utilities, the conversation unpacks what it takes to bring batteries to the grid at speed and at scale.In this episode of Transmission, Quentin is joined by Zach Dell, CEO and founder of Base Power, a fast-growing startup redefining how residential batteries are deployed and monetised in the U.S.Over the course of the conversation, you’ll hear about:The story of Base Power and why it is focusing on distributed, behind the meter residential deployment.How Base participates in ERCOT markets and plans for ancillary services.Zach’s take on cost curves, solar + storage vs nuclear, and the future of distributed energy.The role of vertical integration in reducing cost and increasing speed at every step of the process.Why more granular price signals in Texas could supercharge DER investmentAbout our guestBase Power is a Texas-based energy company pioneering a new model of home energy service by combining residential battery storage with retail electricity provision. Founded in 2023, the company aims to enhance grid reliability and affordability through a network of distributed, software-connected batteries across Texas homes. For more information on Base Power, head to their website.Zach Dell is the founder and CEO of Base Power. A Texas native with a background in finance, Zach started Base after working in New York and seeing the opportunity to accelerate battery deployment through a distributed, vertically integrated model.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.

As the energy transition accelerates, batteries are no longer just utility-scale infrastructure - they're moving into homes, neighbourhoods, and communities. Residential storage is emerging as a powerful tool for improving grid reliability, reducing electricity costs, and giving consumers more control over their energy use. This shift is being driven by falling technology costs, growing demand for backup power, and the need for faster, more flexible ways to support an increasingly electrified grid.While most attention in the battery world focuses on utility-scale systems, Base Power is scaling something different: a distributed, behind-the-meter fleet of residential batteries installed across Texas homes.Zach walks us through the business model, the reasons residential deployment is faster and more scalable than many assume, and how Base’s vertically integrated strategy is unlocking both customer trust and capital efficiency. From billing and software to partnerships with utilities, the conversation unpacks what it takes to bring batteries to the grid at speed and at scale.In this episode of Transmission, Quentin is joined by Zach Dell, CEO and founder of Base Power, a fast-growing startup redefining how residential batteries are deployed and monetised in the U.S.Over the course of the conversation, you’ll hear about:The story of Base Power and why it is focusing on distributed, behind the meter residential deployment.How Base participates in ERCOT markets and plans for ancillary services.Zach’s take on cost curves, solar + storage vs nuclear, and the future of distributed energy.The role of vertical integration in reducing cost and increasing speed at every step of the process.Why more granular price signals in Texas could supercharge DER investmentAbout our guestBase Power is a Texas-based energy company pioneering a new model of home energy service by combining residential battery storage with retail electricity provision. Founded in 2023, the company aims to enhance grid reliability and affordability through a network of distributed, software-connected batteries across Texas homes. For more information on Base Power, head to their website.Zach Dell is the founder and CEO of Base Power. A Texas native with a background in finance, Zach started Base after working in New York and seeing the opportunity to accelerate battery deployment through a distributed, vertically integrated model.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.

Matt Grover, Director of Energy Markets at Fluence APAC, shares his insights on optimizing battery systems in Australia’s National Electricity Market. He discusses the evolving landscape of algorithmic bidding and the challenges of real-time state management. Grover highlights the significance of local vs. regional pricing dynamics and introduces the concept of virtual toll agreements. The conversation delves into the growth of battery portfolios and the need for sophisticated strategies in a rapidly changing, data-driven environment.

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 guestFluence 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 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.

Philipp Emig, Senior Vice President at Picus Capital, specializes in early-stage investments in energy and climate technology. In this discussion, he unveils how startups can successfully navigate the evolving landscape of energy funding. He highlights key trends, including the decline in climate tech investment and the rise of innovative energy storage solutions. Emig also explores the challenges faced by entrepreneurs in diverse markets and the need for adaptive strategies, emphasizing the role of venture capital in the green transition.

As the energy transition accelerates, the landscape of start-up funding is evolving, particularly in the energy storage sector. The impact of the recent downturns and the growing complexity of the capital stack means energy start-ups need to be ahead of the curve to secure funding in an ever-changing environment.From scaling energy technologies across diverse regulatory environments to the opportunities facing climate tech entrepreneurs today, the world of venture capital is changing and so must the strategies to ensure success. In todays’s episode, Philipp Emig, Senior Vice President at Picus Capital, joins Quentin to discuss how start-up get funded in the energy transition. Throughout the conversation, you’ll hear about:The role of venture capital and early stage investing in climate tech and Picas Capital's focus in this.Trends in climate tech funding - from the decline in funding levels to the successes of battery and home energy control technologies.Differences between energy markets and comparisons of energy market development stages across regions.The importance of different types of investors at various stages of company growth.Grid-scale energy storage solutions and the potential for software-driven asset management in the energy sectorAbout our guestPicus Capital invest in early-stage technology ventures with a focus on energy & climate, fintech, enterprise infrastructure, generative ai, cybersecurity, healthcare, and enterprise application, specializing in Pre-Seed, Seed and Series A ventures. For more information on what Picus Capital do, check out their website.Philipp joined Picus Capital in 2021, where he focuses on energy & climate investments, as well as on pre-seed stage efforts. Prior to this, Philipp worked for McKinsey & Company in Munich and advised clients across Europe in the energy, mobility and process industry mainly on innovation, strategy and sustainability topics.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.

Battery storage and renewable energy assets are only as effective as the systems that optimize them, and to do this, there needs to be clear and effective rules on how this is determined. Elexon is responsible for the Balancing & Settlement Code, or BSC, a document outlining the rules of the balancing mechanism and imbalance pricing in Great Britain. With the rise of smaller, aggregated assets and the push towards net zero, the energy landscape is changing fast, and things like the BSC need to adapt too. In this episode of Transmission, we’re joined by Peter Stanley, CEO of Elexon, to explore the critical role of optimisation and trading in energy markets. From day-to-day operations to long-term strategy, Peter shares insights on how Elexon supports grid flexibility, maximizes asset value, and navigates a rapidly evolving energy landscape. Over the conversation you’ll hear about:The role of Elexon, how the company operates and the key processes it manages.Detailed breakdown of what the settlement process looks like in Great Britain.The impact of changing grid dynamics on Elexon's operations.Elexon’s emerging role in facilitating local distributed flexibility markets.Peter’s outlook on where optimization is headed in a changing energy landscape.Mentioned in the episodePeter highlights the fundraising efforts of Nyah & Danielle Lock who are taking part in the South West Coast 50 Ultra Challenge 2025, raising money for the Mardon Neuro-Rehabilitation Centre in Exeter. You can find more information and they're just giving page here.About our guestWorking at the heart of the GB energy industry, Elexon oversee The Balancing and Settlement Code (BSC),a legal contract all electricity participants must enter into in order to participate in the electricity market. For more information on what Elexon do, head to their website.Peter Stanley is Chief Executive Officer of Elexon, joining Elexon's Executive team in 2016 and serving as Chief Operating Officer before assuming the role of CEO in 2023.With over 35 years of experience in the electricity industry, Peter has a strong background in driving technology and data-focused transformations within the energy sector. 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.

Battery storage and renewable energy assets are only as effective as the systems that optimize them, and to do this, there needs to be clear and effective rules on how this is determined. Elexon is responsible for the Balancing & Settlement Code, or BSC, a document outlining the rules of the balancing mechanism and imbalance pricing in Great Britain. With the rise of smaller, aggregated assets and the push towards net zero, the energy landscape is changing fast, and things like the BSC need to adapt too. In this episode of Transmission, we’re joined by Peter Stanley, CEO of Elexon, to explore the critical role of optimisation and trading in energy markets. From day-to-day operations to long-term strategy, Peter shares insights on how Elexon supports grid flexibility, maximizes asset value, and navigates a rapidly evolving energy landscape. Over the conversation you’ll hear about:The role of Elexon, how the company operates and the key processes it manages.Detailed breakdown of what the settlement process looks like in Great Britain.The impact of changing grid dynamics on Elexon's operations.Elexon’s emerging role in facilitating local distributed flexibility markets.Peter’s outlook on where optimization is headed in a changing energy landscape.Mentioned in the episodePeter highlights the fundraising efforts of Nyah & Danielle Lock who are taking part in the South West Coast 50 Ultra Challenge 2025, raising money for the Mardon Neuro-Rehabilitation Centre in Exeter. You can find more information and they're just giving page here.About our guestWorking at the heart of the GB energy industry, Elexon oversee The Balancing and Settlement Code (BSC),a legal contract all electricity participants must enter into in order to participate in the electricity market. For more information on what Elexon do, head to their website.Peter Stanley is Chief Executive Officer of Elexon, joining Elexon's Executive team in 2016 and serving as Chief Operating Officer before assuming the role of CEO in 2023.With over 35 years of experience in the electricity industry, Peter has a strong background in driving technology and data-focused transformations within the energy sector. 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.