Transmission

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.

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.

Raising capital is one of the biggest challenges in the energy storage industry today. While banks and institutional investors are providing more financing than ever, securing debt for battery projects still comes with complexities - especially when dealing with merchant risk. So, how are lenders evaluating storage projects, and what does it take to get a deal across the line?This week on Transmission, Quentin is joined by Brandon Faber (Director at NORD/LB) - to discuss the evolving landscape of battery energy storage financing. With experience structuring large-scale energy deals, including the Goleta and Papago Storage Projects, Brandon provides a deep dive into how banks assess risk, the role of tolling agreements, and the future of debt financing for grid-scale storage.In this episode, you’ll learn about:How banks evaluate and structure financing for energy storage projects.The role of tolling agreements and why they matter for securing debt.Why some projects secure financing while others struggle.How merchant risk is priced into energy storage lending.The future of institutional investment in battery storage.About our guestBrandon Faber serves as a Director at NORD/LB, a German bank known for its active role in financing renewable energy projects, particularly battery energy storage systems (BESS). Brandon’s expertise lies in structuring and managing financing for large-scale energy projects, including the Goleta Energy Storage Project in California and the Papago Storage Project in Arizona. These projects exemplify NORD/LB’s commitment to supporting grid stability and the energy transition through innovative financing solutions. With a strong presence in the North American market, Brandon has also contributed to discussions on risk investment management in energy storage, providing valuable insights into the evolving landscape of renewable energy financing.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.

Sodium-ion batteries are at a critical moment of commercialization. With challenges in the lithium-ion supply chains, alternative battery chemistries are gaining attention. Could sodium-based solid-state batteries provide a safer, more sustainable path for large-scale grid storage? With low cost and readily available materials, sodium-ion technology could be a huge competitor. This week, Quentin Scrimshire is joined by Dr. Neil Kidner, Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer at Adena Power, to discuss why sodium-based solid-state batteries could be a game-changer for energy storage. With a background in materials science and decades of experience in advanced battery technologies, Neil explains how Adena Power is pioneering sodium-based solutions, the key differences from lithium-ion, and what the future holds for alternative battery chemistries.In this episode, we’ll cover:Why sodium-based solid-state batteries could be a safer and more sustainable alternative to lithium-ion.The challenges of lithium-ion supply chains and the potential for domestic alternatives.How Adena Power is developing high-temperature sodium-based battery technology.The role of alternative battery chemistries in long-duration energy storage.What investors and policymakers should consider when looking beyond lithium-ion.About our GuestDr. Neil Kidner leads the scientific and technological development at Adena Power, focusing on innovative sodium-based solid-state batteries designed for safer and more efficient grid energy storage. With a Ph.D. in Materials Science and over 15 years of experience in product development, Neil has been instrumental in advancing alternative battery technologies that utilize abundant materials like sodium and aluminum. His work at Adena Power builds on years of research in solid-state electrochemistry, with a focus on commercializing next-generation battery storage solutions.For more information on Adena Power, check out their website. 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.

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.

Accurately measuring a battery’s state of charge might seem like a simple task, but small errors can have huge financial consequences.From base point deviations to inaccurate market bids, asset owners are leaving money on the table due to imprecise battery management systems. Could better software and real-time analytics unlock greater returns?This week, Quentin is joined by Shyam Srinivasan, CEO and Co-Founder of Zitara Technologies, to discuss how advanced battery analytics can improve accuracy, longevity, and revenue certainty for energy storage owners.With a background in cutting-edge hardware and software solutions—including time at Nest—Shyam explains why state-of-charge miscalculations are so common, how the shift to LFP chemistry has created new challenges, and why the industry needs a fundamental rethink of battery monitoring and control.In this episode, you’ll hear about:Why OEM battery management systems can be off by 20-30% during discharge.How inaccurate state-of-charge readings impact market participation and revenues.The challenges of managing LFP batteries compared to previous chemistries.Why Zitara focuses on real-time edge computing instead of cloud analytics.What asset owners should demand in their procurement contracts to ensure better data access.About Shyam SrinivasanShyam Srinivasan is the CEO and Co-Founder of Zitara Technologies, a company specializing in advanced battery analytics and real-time edge monitoring for grid-scale storage. With a background in both hardware and software engineering, he previously worked at Nest, helping develop intelligent home automation solutions before pivoting to energy storage. At Zitara, Shyam and his team focus on optimizing battery performance, ensuring greater accuracy in state-of-charge measurements, and helping asset owners maximize profitability through smarter energy management.

Commodity markets are often misunderstood—opaque, complex, and heavily influenced by regulation, liquidity constraints, and global supply chains. But what role do interdealer brokers play in facilitating large-scale transactions and ensuring market stability?This week, Quentin Scrimshire is joined by Campbell Faulkner, Senior Vice President and Chief Data Analyst at OTC Global Holdings. With decades of experience in commodity trading, market structure, and risk management, Campbell shares his insights on the shifting role of interdealers, the impact of market regulation, and the trends shaping global energy and power trading.In this episode, Q and Campbell discuss:The role of interdealer brokers in facilitating large commodity transactions.How market liquidity, volatility, and regulation shape trading strategies.Why over-the-counter markets remain critical for managing risk in energy and commodities.The impact of electrification and data center growth on power markets.And Campbell’s contrarian take on the future of net-zero policies and energy infrastructure.About Campbell FaulknerCampbell Faulkner is the Senior Vice President and Chief Data Analyst at OTC Global Holdings, the world’s largest independent interdealer broker in commodities. With a background in market structure, quantitative modeling, and risk management, Campbell has been instrumental in developing analytics-driven solutions for energy and commodity trading.Over his career, he has worked closely with hedge funds, utilities, and oil majors, providing insights into market liquidity, volatility, and regulatory trends. Today, he leads the market data division at OTC Global Holdings, ensuring traders have the intelligence needed to navigate an increasingly complex financial landscape.

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.