Transmission

Battery energy storage is rapidly becoming a cornerstone of Australia’s evolving electricity system. As the National Electricity Market (NEM) transitions to accommodate rising renewable penetration, new policy mechanisms, and famously volatile prices, batteries are taking on a broader range of roles, from firming and arbitrage to frequency control and capacity support. But developing and operating storage in this environment requires more than just technology. It calls for strategic decision-making across commercial, technical, and market dimensions.In this episode, Wendel is joined by Eku Energy's Chief Technology Officer - Elias Saba. The conversation explores how project developers like Eku are approaching duration and sizing, managing merchant risk, accessing FCAS revenues, and navigating the emerging capacity market landscape. We also look at how international experience can inform decision-making in Australia. Key insights include: Why the NEM is a proving ground for batteries: The opportunities and risks of operating in a high-volatility, high-renewables environment.Duration and design choices: How CapEx trends, price signals, and regulatory uncertainty are shaping battery configurations.Revenue stacking in practice: Merchant trading, FCAS markets, and the role of contracting in stabilising returns.Global context, local application: Lessons from other advanced markets and how they translate to the Australian grid.Building for scale: The internal capabilities and strategic frameworks required to run a high-performing storage business.About our guestElias Saba is the Chief Technology Officer and a founding team member at Eku Energy, a global battery storage developer and operator with active projects across Australia, Japan, Italy, and the UK. At Eku, Elias leads technical strategy, project optimisation, and market integration across multiple jurisdictions. His work sits at the intersection of engineering, commercial strategy, and energy market operations shaping how large-scale batteries are deployed and monetised in complex and fast-moving grid environments. For more information, head to 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.

Karl Bach, the Co-founder and CEO of Axle Energy, discusses the transformative impact of electrification on grid demand and flexibility. He explains how virtual power plants are orchestrating thousands of distributed devices like EVs and heat pumps to enhance grid reliability. The conversation highlights the critical need for aligning consumer benefits with grid requirements and the importance of building trust in smart home automation. Bach also delves into the challenges of navigating energy markets and the role of partnerships in driving innovative solutions for a sustainable energy future.

As electricity systems decarbonise, the nature of flexibility is fundamentally shifting. Where grid operators once relied on fossil fuel generation to follow demand, today’s energy systems are increasingly turning to the demand side for flexibility. With more electric vehicles, heat pumps, and behind-the-meter batteries connecting to the grid every day, the potential for distributed assets to support reliability and earn revenue, is rapidly growing.But tapping into that flexibility at scale is no small task. It requires coordination, intelligent optimisation, and a clear route into energy markets. In this episode of Transmission, we explore how software platforms are making it possible to turn thousands of individual devices into aggregated resources that respond dynamically to grid needs. From flexibility markets and revenue stacking to the evolving role of energy suppliers and the economics of decentralised participation, this conversation breaks down how the grid is being rebalanced from the bottom up.Quentin is Joined by Co-Founder & CEO of Axle Energy - Karl Bach. Over the conversation they cover:From load to resource: How electrification of heating, cooling, and transport is transforming grid demand into flexible capacity.Virtual power plants in action: What it takes to orchestrate hundreds of thousands of distributed devices across diverse asset classes.Consumer value meets system need: Why aligning grid requirements with consumer benefit is critical to unlocking participation.The platform model: How software intermediaries are enabling hardware providers and energy retailers to enter flexibility markets.Distributed flexibility as capex-light infrastructure: Why aggregating existing assets may offer faster returns than building new ones.About our guest:Karl Bach is the co-founder and CEO of Axle Energy, a platform that enables distributed energy assets - from EVs and heat pumps to residential batteries, to participate in electricity and flexibility markets. With over a gigawatt of connected capacity, Axle works behind the scenes to optimise assets and unlock value for hardware providers, energy suppliers, and the grid. Karl brings a systems-level perspective to the conversation, shaped by experience at the intersection of energy markets, technology, and scalable software infrastructure. For more information, head to 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.

Rimshah Javed, Principal Originator at Danske Commodities, shares her insights on navigating the complexities of Europe's evolving energy markets. She discusses the growing importance of energy origination, emphasizing the strategic shift from simple transactions to deep market engagement. Javed delves into how algorithmic trading and real-time data are reshaping trading strategies. The conversation also highlights innovative approaches to power purchase agreements and the challenges of balancing energy supply with regulatory demands in a volatile market.

Rimshah Javed, Principal Originator at Danske Commodities, dives into the shifting landscape of European energy markets. She discusses how trading and optimisation are blurring, necessitating innovative strategies amid increasing volatility. The conversation covers algorithmic trading's role in real-time markets and the complexities of power purchasing agreements. Rimshah highlights the importance of battery storage and co-location models while stressing the need for adaptability in trading strategies to meet the challenges of a dynamic energy landscape.

Nicklas Bäcker, Co-Founder and CSO of Ingrid Capacity, sheds light on the underappreciated Nordic energy markets. He explains why these regions were once overlooked due to stable hydro-dominance but are now embracing battery storage for grid flexibility. Declining costs and increasing volatility are making battery investments more viable. Bäcker discusses the synergy between batteries and hydropower and explores innovative revenue opportunities in Sweden's evolving energy landscape, all while tackling challenges faced by the nuclear sector.

Nicklas Bäcker, Chief Strategy Officer at Ingrid Capacity, discusses the emerging role of grid-scale batteries in the Nordic energy landscape. He explains why these markets were initially overlooked due to their hydro dominance and how shifting economics are changing that. With more than €250 million raised for battery capacity, Bäcker highlights the significance of cross-border optimization and evolving market signals. He emphasizes the need for flexibility and collaboration between batteries and hydropower to create a sustainable energy future in Sweden and Finland.

Louise Dalton, a partner in the Energy & Infrastructure team at CMS Law and a leading expert on battery storage, discusses the evolving landscape of battery energy storage systems. She highlights the importance of tolling agreements in mitigating risk and enhancing investment viability. The conversation dives into the complexities of revenue models, the importance of flexibility in contracts, and the growing need for legal structures to adapt to market realities. Louise also emphasizes challenges in integrating renewable energy and addresses the vital role of women in the sector.

Louise Dalton, a partner in the Energy & Infrastructure team at CMS and a leading legal expert in battery storage, discusses the evolving landscape of revenue models for battery energy storage systems. She delves into the intricacies of tolling agreements and how they help manage risk in fluctuating markets. The conversation also highlights the importance of adaptable contracts amid changing regulations and market conditions. Furthermore, Louise emphasizes the need for revenue certainty to navigate today's complex energy industry.

Georg Rute, CEO and co-founder of Gridraven, digs into the revolutionary concept of Dynamic Line Ratings (DLR) that optimizes electricity transmission. He discusses how real-time monitoring can safely unlock more capacity from existing lines, addressing the rising demand for renewables. The talk highlights the shortcomings of static ratings and the innovative tech empowering grid operators. Rute also explores DLR's synergy with battery storage and its pivotal role in enhancing grid resilience, making a strong case for smarter energy solutions.