Transmission

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.

Iola Hughes, Head of Research at Rho Motion, specializes in battery demand insights. She discusses the dramatic drop in battery cell prices and the implications of potential U.S. tariffs on imports. The conversation highlights the competition faced by European manufacturers, particularly Northvolt's challenges. Hughes also delves into emerging technologies like sodium-ion batteries and contrasts their benefits with traditional lithium-ion cells. Finally, they analyze the evolving electric vehicle market against the backdrop of stationary energy storage growth.

In today’s world, environmental degradation, resource depletion, and growing waste generation are clear indicators that the conventional linear economy is not sustainable. Battery storage systems, however, present a unique opportunity for change. Their materials are highly recyclable and this value can be extracted either through material recovery or second-life applications. However significant challenges remain in the recycling process.Transitioning batteries into a circular economy is essential for long-term sustainability. While recycling technology exists, the biggest hurdles include ensuring a steady supply of used batteries and establishing efficient connections between suppliers and recyclers. Scaling operations is also critical. Only by increasing the volume of recycled materials can costs be reduced, making the process both economically viable and environmentally impactful.William Bergh, CEO at Cling Systems, joins Quentin to discuss the challenges in battery recycling. Over the course of the conversation, they discuss:What the physical process of material separation and recycling process looks like.The current state of the recycling market and a look at the supply chain for it. The complexities of battery recycling and the role Cling plays in facilitating these processes.Regional differences and challenges in the global battery recycling market.The importance of data availability in allowing the efficient recycling and repurposing of batteries.About our guestBy streamlining procurement and removing market frictions, Cling's circular platform helps both battery repurposers to build safe and cost effective second life energy systems, and battery recyclers to produce new recycled raw material.Cling Systems are ensuring batteries are effectively directed to their best use —whether for second life and recycling or by leveraging strategic off-take agreements and a global network. Cling have made it their mission to offer a sustainable framework that not only mitigates environmental harm but also fosters economic growth and social well-being. For more information on what cling do, check out their website.Cling Systems hosts their regular Beers and Batts events to bring together the energy industry in and around Stockholm, keep your eye out for their next event in January or sign up to get alerts.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 how battery recycling and circularity, check out our written research.

In today’s world, environmental degradation, resource depletion, and growing waste generation are clear indicators that the conventional linear economy is not sustainable. Battery storage systems, however, present a unique opportunity for change. Their materials are highly recyclable and this value can be extracted either through material recovery or second-life applications. However significant challenges remain in the recycling process.Transitioning batteries into a circular economy is essential for long-term sustainability. While recycling technology exists, the biggest hurdles include ensuring a steady supply of used batteries and establishing efficient connections between suppliers and recyclers. Scaling operations is also critical. Only by increasing the volume of recycled materials can costs be reduced, making the process both economically viable and environmentally impactful.William Bergh, CEO at Cling Systems, joins Quentin to discuss the challenges in battery recycling. Over the course of the conversation, they discuss:What the physical process of material separation and recycling process looks like.The current state of the recycling market and a look at the supply chain for it. The complexities of battery recycling and the role Cling plays in facilitating these processes.Regional differences and challenges in the global battery recycling market.The importance of data availability in allowing the efficient recycling and repurposing of batteries.About our guestBy streamlining procurement and removing market frictions, Cling's circular platform helps both battery repurposers to build safe and cost effective second life energy systems, and battery recyclers to produce new recycled raw material.Cling Systems are ensuring batteries are effectively directed to their best use —whether for second life and recycling or by leveraging strategic off-take agreements and a global network. Cling have made it their mission to offer a sustainable framework that not only mitigates environmental harm but also fosters economic growth and social well-being. For more information on what cling do, check out their website.Cling Systems hosts their regular Beers and Batts events to bring together the energy industry in and around Stockholm, keep your eye out for their next event in January or sign up to get alerts.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 how battery recycling and circularity, check out our written research.

The introduction of balancing settlement code modification P415 aims to open up wholesale markets to all types of flexibility, decreasing barriers to entry for independent aggregators by allowing participation beyond a consumer’s licensed electricity supplier. Energy consumers that can be flexible with usage, do not currently see any value from their actions, except through their licensed electricity supplier, who not offer demand response services. The introduction of P415 will enable flexible consumers to appoint an independent aggregator, allowing participants of demand side response to enter into the wholesale energy markets and incentivize increased consumer participation.In today’s episode, Paul Troughton - Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs at Enel X joins Ed to discuss the code change that he put forward. Over the conversation, they discuss:Introduction to P415 and the roles of independent aggregators and virtual trading parties.How demand response works, particularly for commercial and industrial users.Challenges of demand response, supplier compensation and the importance of accurate baselining.The potential impact of P415 and the accessibility it opens up to wholesale markets.The future of demand side response in Great Britain.About our guest Enel X is dedicated to helping some of the world’s largest energy consumers protect electricity grid stability in the transition to renewable energy. Their core offerings are built around maximising the commercial and environmental rewards available from energy flexibility programme participation.By optimising how and when energy is consumed, Enel X enables commercial and industrial scale energy users to extract value from the energy markets by leveraging their flexible energy assets in ways that support a greener, more stable and resilient electricity grid. For more information on what Enel X 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 how P415 works and other market updates, check out our written research.

The introduction of balancing settlement code modification P415 aims to open up wholesale markets to all types of flexibility, decreasing barriers to entry for independent aggregators by allowing participation beyond a consumer’s licensed electricity supplier. Energy consumers that can be flexible with usage, do not currently see any value from their actions, except through their licensed electricity supplier, who not offer demand response services. The introduction of P415 will enable flexible consumers to appoint an independent aggregator, allowing participants of demand side response to enter into the wholesale energy markets and incentivize increased consumer participation.In today’s episode, Paul Troughton - Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs at Enel X joins Ed to discuss the code change that he put forward. Over the conversation, they discuss:Introduction to P415 and the roles of independent aggregators and virtual trading parties.How demand response works, particularly for commercial and industrial users.Challenges of demand response, supplier compensation and the importance of accurate baselining.The potential impact of P415 and the accessibility it opens up to wholesale markets.The future of demand side response in Great Britain.About our guest Enel X is dedicated to helping some of the world’s largest energy consumers protect electricity grid stability in the transition to renewable energy. Their core offerings are built around maximising the commercial and environmental rewards available from energy flexibility programme participation.By optimising how and when energy is consumed, Enel X enables commercial and industrial scale energy users to extract value from the energy markets by leveraging their flexible energy assets in ways that support a greener, more stable and resilient electricity grid. For more information on what Enel X 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 how P415 works and other market updates, check out our written research.

Joe Bush, a market analyst at Modo Energy, dives into Britain's ambitious Clean Power 2030 report, which aims for over 95% clean power generation. He discusses the Herculean effort required, with predictions of needing 70GW in new renewables. Joe highlights the vital role of energy storage in addressing grid constraints and explores market changes like zonal pricing to optimize demand. The conversation also touches on integrating gas generation with renewables and the associated challenges, emphasizing the urgent need for a government action plan.

A ‘Herculean effort’ in renewable buildout is the description used in NESO’s Clean Power 2030 report, outlining practical advice for the government on achieving a power system by 2030. The report defines what ‘Clean Energy’ means (>95% clean power generation by 2030) and discusses what buildout would need to look like in order to reach these targets. A staggering 70GW of new renewable generation is predicted to be needed to reach the targets in the ambitious Further Flex and Renewables scenario. How might these suggestions be achieved in practice, and what challenges is the industry likely to face over the next 5 years in the lead-up to target dates?In this episode Modo Market Analyst, Joe Bush joins Ed Porter to explore NESO’s Clean Power 2030 report. Over the course of the conversation, they discuss:The purpose of the Clean Power 2030 report and what it covers.The sheer scale of buildout required to meet renewable and flexibility system targets, from 50 GW to 130 GW.Transmission and network challenges and how the government might tackle the issue of constraint. The role of energy storage in managing constraints and supporting the grid.Exploration of potential market changes, including zonal pricing to incentivize demand location near generation.Mentioned in this episodeJoe’s research article - Clean Power by 2030: what would it mean for BESS?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 how batteries can save carbon, check out our written research.