Transmission

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.

Connecting renewable projects to the grid is often a technical and administrative labyrinth, with long wait times for connection approval and the deadline of clean power by 2030 fast approaching - time is of the essence. Today we explore the challenges of integrating projects, from local distribution networks to large-scale transmission systems, and highlights the pivotal role of reforms and collaboration in ensuring the UK meets its energy goals.Catherine Cleary, Specialist Connections Engineer at Roadnight Taylor and Joe Colebrook Head of Grid Connections at Innova join Ed Porter for today’s episode. Over the course of the conversation, they discuss:The grid connection process from both a commercial and an engineering perspective.Exploration of different approaches between transmission and distribution networks.What an ideal outcome for connections reform might look like.An introduction to the ‘connection pots’ concept in the Clean Power 2030 plan.Exemptions, long-term planning and an exploration of the process for amending existing connection agreements.And much, much more.About our GuestsCatherine Cleary – Specialist Connections Engineer at Roadnight Taylor.Catherine brings expertise in the technical, commercial, and regulatory aspects of grid connections at both distribution and transmission levels. With experience analyzing over 500 projects, her deep knowledge of grid codes, constraints, and connection innovations ensures clients achieve safe, cost-effective outcomes.Roadnight Taylor is a leading consultancy dedicated to achieving timely grid connections, at least cost and risk, to the GB electricity networks. With a focus on decarbonisation and economic growth, in their effort to deploy smart and affordable network solutions.Joe Colebrook - Head of Grid Connections at Innova. Joe holds years of experience in grid connections and has helped develop a strong pipeline of solar and energy storage assets, including co-located sites.Innova’s mission is to create utility-scale renewable energy projects using multi-technologies, to provide clean energy to communities and businesses both directly and indirectly, and to take large energy users off-grid whilst meeting or exceeding our environmental obligations.About Modo EnergyModo Energy provides forecasts, benchmarking, data, and insights for new energy assets - all in one place. Built for analysts, Modo 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 video series of bite-sized chunks explaining how different battery energy storage systems work.

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.

Energy grids, markets and regulatory landscapes are evolving fast. The strategies used by BESS operators must be dynamic, as operators face a maze of regional markets, shifting policies, and cutting-edge technologies. In this episode Ali Karimian, Market Optimization Director at GridBeyond joins Quentin to explore the challenges and opportunities in markets like ERCOT, California, PJM, shedding light on critical developments such as PJM’s recent capacity market overhaul and the surge in demand response programs across the country. Ali also shares insight into the role of cryptocurrency miners in energy markets, and where these unconventional players are proving vital for grid stability and unlocking new revenue streams.Over the course of the conversation, Quentin and Ali discuss:The differences between some of the most prominent markets for BESS in the United States, including ERCOT, CAISO and PJM.The current landscape shaping market attractiveness for battery operations.Policy & regulatory changes affecting ISO’s including changes to ERCOT's ancillary services framework, PJM capacity market dynamics and continual updates for CAISO.The rise of crypto miners in energy markets and what characteristics make them suitable for supporting grid stability.Strategies enabling crypto miners to lower effective power costs.About our guestGridBeyond aim to unlock the potential of energy assets, driving sustainability, resilience, and affordability towards a zero-carbon future. Their technology optimizes utility-scale renewable generation, battery storage, and industrial loads by intelligently dispatching flexibility into the right market at the right time. Enabling asset owners and energy consumers to unlock new revenues, enhance resilience, manage price volatility, and support the transition to net zero. For more information on GridBeyond - head to their website.About Modo EnergyModo Energy provides forecasts, benchmarking, data, and insights for new energy assets - all in one place. Built for analysts, Modo 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. Check out The Energy Academy, our video series of bite-sized chunks explaining how different battery energy storage systems work.

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.

The National Electricity System or NEM, is Australia’s largest energy market and one of the largest interconnected electricity systems in the world, delivering around 80% of all electricity consumption in Australia. As Australia transitions toward a renewable emission-free system, the market must adapt to changes in electricity generation and emerging technologies. This episode takes a look at the state of renewable penetration in Australia, an overview of the largest market in the country, what the current state of battery buildout looks like, and the challenges facing the system.In our first Australian market focused episode, Alex Leemon joins Wendel Hortop. Throughout the conversation, they discuss: The differences in renewable adoption across individual states in Australia.Overview of the National Electricity Market (NEM) and Australias other grids, as well as the Australian Energy Market Operators (AEMO) role in managing system stability. A look at the existing 2.1GW installed battery capacity in the NEM and what the future pipeline looks like.Challenges facing the country including, constraints, congestion and minimum system demand challenges due to rooftop solar adoption. How recent market events are shaping AEMO’s actions to help maintain system reliability during peak demand. About Modo EnergyModo Energy provides forecasts, benchmarking, data, and insights for new energy assets - all in one place. Built for analysts, Modo 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 video series of bite-sized chunks explaining how different battery energy storage systems work. For more information on battery actions in Australia, check out our written research.

Hydropower is a renewable, reliable source of energy that consistently meets peak demand while also offering long-duration, high-capacity storage and generation solutions for Great Britain. From tidal range systems to pumped hydro, hydropower encompasses a range of proven technologies with predictable performance and a track record of durability. The question now is: what must change to fully harness the potential of these invaluable energy assets?In this episode, Kate Gilmartin, Chief Executive at the British Hydropower Association, joins Ed to discuss the different types of hydropower and the role of this technology in long duration energy storage. Over the course of the conversation, they discuss: The differences between the different hydropower technologies.The evolving role of pumped hydro with the rise of renewable energy sources.Importance of the technology in local energy solutions and grid resilience.Exploration of the challenges in developing new pumped hydro projects, including investment and planning hurdles.How the cap and floor mechanism provides a potential solution for investment security.About our guestThe British Hydropower Association (BHA) is the leading trade membership association solely representing the interests of the UK hydropower industry. Striving to ensure that the full potential and associated economic and community benefits are fully realised, the BHA is open to all types of organizations, with the aim of driving growth in the sector by engaging, influencing and promoting hydropower, tidal range and pumped storage hydro as proven, reliable, renewable power, providing critical infrastructure for achieving net zero and energy security. For more information on what the BHA do, check out their website. About Modo EnergyModo Energy provides forecasts, benchmarking, data, and insights for new energy assets - all in one place. Built for analysts, Modo 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 video series of bite-sized chunks explaining how different battery energy storage systems work.

Kate Gilmartin, Chief Executive at the British Hydropower Association and an expert in renewable and community energy, discusses the multifaceted benefits of hydropower. She explores the various technologies, especially pumped storage, as 'water batteries' supporting grid resilience. Kate highlights challenges in investment and planning while advocating for innovations like the cap and floor mechanism. The conversation also touches on the exciting potential of tidal range energy and the importance of local energy solutions in driving a sustainable energy transition.

The global battery energy storage market is undergoing rapid transformation. The decline in cell prices, fueled by fluctuations in lithium costs, has seen a surge in battery production, particularly in regions like China. However, the potential introduction of tariffs on U.S. manufacturers highlights the challenges of navigating the balance between global supply chains and domestic production.While lithium-based technologies continue to dominate, emerging alternatives such as sodium-ion and flow batteries offer distinct benefits and challenges. As the sector evolves, the question arises: What does the future costs and demand for battery energy storage look like?Iola Hughes, Head of Research at Rho Motion joins Ed Porter for today’s episode. Over the conversation, they discuss:The dramatic drop in cell prices and the concept of tiered battery quality and its impact on pricing.Manufacturing costs in China versus the U.S. and what impacts tariffs on U.S. battery imports and potential stakeholder strategies. The challenges facing European battery manufacturers with the recent news from Northvolt.Sodium-ion battery technology and its potential applications compared to LFP cells.An overview of global battery demand, with a focus on EV’s vs the growing stationary storage market.Mentioned in the episodeIron Air Storage with David Hill (Form Energy)Vanadium Flow Batteries with Matt Harper (Invinity Energy Systems)About our guestRho Motion aim to deliver a complete picture of battery demand, including motors and systems, charging and infrastructure, energy stationary storage, battery recycling and the wider energy and renewables markets. Providing research and consultancy services - they cover a global market. For more information on what Rho Motion do, head to their website. About Modo EnergyModo Energy provides forecasts, benchmarking, data, and insights for new energy assets - all in one place. Built for analysts, Modo 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 video series of bite-sized chunks explaining how different battery energy storage systems work. For more information on the state of global battery markets, check out our written research.