Transmission

Jess Padman, Director of Energy Products at the National Renewable Network, dives into Australia's booming residential battery market. She discusses the factors driving battery adoption, from energy independence to changing feed-in tariffs. Challenges like upfront costs and fragmented suppliers are highlighted as barriers to widespread use. The conversation also touches on innovative financing models and the potential of smart home energy systems to transform economics. Ultimately, it’s about making energy access easier and more equitable for all Australians.

Zach Vosburg, Vice President of Corporate Strategy at FlexGen, dives into the intricate world of battery energy storage and integration. He explains that deploying large-scale battery projects requires more than just installation; it's vital to manage long-term performance and operational risks. Vosburg shares insights on commissioning hurdles, lifecycle support, and the cutting-edge role of AI in optimizing energy management. He offers valuable lessons on avoiding common mistakes and emphasizes the importance of reliable battery solutions for today's energy challenges.

Zach Vosburg, Vice President of Corporate Strategy at FlexGen, shares insights into the intricate world of battery energy storage. He explains that integrating battery systems goes beyond setting them up; it’s about long-term performance and safety. The discussion highlights common pitfalls in project commissioning and lifecycle support, emphasizing the importance of software solutions for effective management. Vosburg also explores strategies to navigate market challenges and enhance battery availability, revealing key lessons for developers in the growing storage sector.

Michael Bogdan, a Partner at Lockton with expertise in renewable energy risk, shares invaluable insights into the evolving insurance landscape for battery energy storage. He discusses recent fire incidents, like Moss Landing, and their impact on underwriting practices. The conversation covers how insurance plays a crucial role throughout the asset lifecycle, the importance of developing tailored coverage for emerging technologies, and why securing insurance early is vital for project success. It's a must-listen for anyone involved in energy storage.

Michael Bogdan, a Partner at Lockton specializing in renewable energy insurance, shares valuable insights on the evolving landscape of battery energy storage. He discusses the implications of the Moss Landing fire on risk management and how insurance practices are adapting. The conversation highlights the importance of comprehensive coverage throughout a project's lifecycle, particularly as technology advances. Additionally, Bogdan explains why early engagement with insurance advisors is essential for developers to navigate the complexities and secure project financing.

Blake Rector, Principal of Markets & Optimization at Powin, digs into the critical nuances of state of charge (SOC) in battery energy storage systems. He explains how even a 1% error in SOC can lead to staggering revenue losses. Discover the difference between operational and theoretical capacity, and why many operators leave value on the table. Blake also discusses the role of hardware versus software in improving SOC accuracy and shares insights on how better SOC management can enhance flexibility and profitability in volatile markets.

Blake Rector, Director of Markets and Optimization at Powin, leads initiatives to maximize battery energy storage performance. He discusses the critical role of state of charge (SOC) in revenue generation, revealing that even a 1% error can significantly impact profits. The conversation delves into the differences between operational and theoretical capacities, forecasting, and SOC management strategies. Listeners gain insights into algorithmic improvements and the importance of precise SOC estimation, underscoring the nuances of battery technology in the evolving energy sector.

Dennis Freedman, Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand at Aquila Clean Energy, shares insights from nearly 20 years in the energy sector. He discusses the critical importance of navigating merchant risk in battery storage and how its financing is evolving. Freedman contrasts the energy systems of Australia and New Zealand, emphasizing community engagement and the significance of social license. He highlights the urgent need for massive investments in transmission as the region shifts from coal to a renewables-focused grid.

As the energy transition in Australia and New Zealand accelerates, the ability to develop, finance, and operate renewable energy projects is becoming increasingly complex. Success now demands more than technical delivery, it requires a deep understanding of market risk, community engagement, and long-term asset management.From battery storage financing to the growing importance of social license, this episode explores navigating risk, engaging communities, and why having a long-term view matters more than ever, as Australia navigates away from the traditional model of centralised coal and gas toward a more renewables centred generation stack.In this episode of Transmission, Wendel joined by Dennis Freedman, Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand at Aquila Clean Energy. Over the course of the conversation, you’ll hear about:Aquila Clean Energy’s approach to battery storage: Why being comfortable with merchant risk is vital and how the debt market’s view on batteries is changing.The challenge of modelling batteries vs. wind and solar: Why volatility and spread are what matter for storage revenues.Australia vs. New Zealand: Comparing two very different energy systems, from hydro dominance to nodal pricing structures.Social license and misinformation: Why community engagement is becoming the biggest challenge for new projects and how developers can get it right.The future of the grid: Why replacing coal requires not just generation, but massive investment in transmission and why politics is increasingly slowing the transition.Mentioned in the episodeDennis is a member of the Clean Energy Council, if you would like to learn more about the CEC, head over to their website. About our guestDennis Freedman is Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand at Aquila Clean Energy, where he oversees the development, construction, and operation of renewable and storage projects across the region. With nearly 20 years of experience in the energy industry, Dennis brings a long-term perspective to market risk, community engagement, and what it really takes to scale clean energy infrastructure.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 has quickly moved from a niche technology to a core pillar of the energy transition. But one big question has remained: when will the world's largest banks fully get behind it? And what will it take for battery projects to attract long-term, large-scale financial backing?How are market structures, price signals, and contract innovations shaping the future of battery investment? And what do developers, asset owners, and market participants need to understand as the sector matures?In this episode of Transmission, Quentin is joined by Bryan Long, Executive Director at JP Morgan, to explore how major banks are approaching battery storage. Over the course of the conversation, you’ll hear about:The evolution of the US power markets: How market structures have enabled huge investment in renewables and what’s changing as load growth accelerates.The tipping point for batteries: Why banks like JP Morgan are now engaging in battery storage and what portfolio scale means for financing.Battery portfolios vs. single assets: How portfolio effects smooth returns, de-risk projects, and open new hedging strategies.Forward hedging for batteries: Why linking short-term battery operations with long-term forward markets is the next step for financial maturity.The rise of new trading products: How market participants are pricing volatility, risk, and revenue certainty across high and low-demand periods.US vs. European market dynamics: How the US remains the global leader in sending investable price signals and what Europe can learn as it faces its own transition challenges.About our guestBryan Long is Executive Director at JP Morgan, specialising in power markets, commodity risk management, and structured energy products. With a background spanning real-time trading, renewables origination, and large-scale hedging strategies, Bryan helps clients navigate the evolving landscape of US energy markets—and build resilience as the grid transitions toward more flexible, renewable systems.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.