Transmission

Germany’s battery boom is charging ahead - without subsidies. So how is it working?
While many markets rely on government support to kickstart energy storage, Germany is doing things differently. With more than 500 GW of battery connection requests in the pipeline, it’s quickly becoming one of Europe’s most competitive and dynamic battery markets.
From stacking wholesale and ancillary revenues to striking new kinds of long-term contracts, we explore how Germany’s storage sector is evolving in real time and how that’s changing the game for developers, corporates, and financiers alike.
In this episode of Transmission, Martin Daronnat, Head of Flexibility and Structured Origination in Germany at Engie, joins Quentin to explore the market mechanisms, commercial strategies, and contract structures that are enabling battery storage to scale, without public funding.
Highlights include: How batteries in Germany stack revenue across energy, capacity, and grid services.Why fixed-price flexibility agreements are emerging as a key financial innovation for managing merchant risk.The role of large industrial players, and why developers and buyers are both leaning in.What other countries can learn from Germany’s approach, especially when it comes to risk appetite and regulatory design.
About our guestMartin is Head of Flexibility and Structured Origination in Germany at Engie, the French multinational electric utility. He’s at the forefront of commercialising flexibility in one of Europe’s fastest-moving energy storage markets, structuring offtake agreements, managing risk, and unlocking new revenue models for grid-scale batteries. With a background spanning power trading, corporate PPAs, and clean energy project origination, Martin brings deep insight into how flexibility is becoming investable in real-world markets.
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.Sign up to the Modo Energy Weekly Dispatch for expert insights on energy storage, market shifts, and policy updates - delivered straight to your inbox every week.

Daniel Duckwitz, Product Manager for Grid Services at SMA Solar Technology AG, shares his expertise on the transformative role of inverters in energy systems. He explains the crucial differences between grid-forming and grid-following inverters and their impact on grid stability. The conversation highlights the importance of inertia and innovation in inverter technology as we shift to a renewable-based grid. Duckwitz also discusses the benefits of grid-forming inverters in Australia and their potential to enhance the resilience of power systems amidst increasing reliance on renewables.

As we shift toward a net-zero power system, inverter-based resources are rapidly replacing traditional generators. But replicating the critical system services once provided by large rotating machines isn’t just about plugging in renewables - it’s about designing smarter, more stable infrastructure at the grid edge.

In this episode of Transmission, we dive into one of the most technically important, yet often overlooked, aspects of modern power systems: the role of inverters. Ed Porter is joined by Daniel Duckwitz, who leads SMA’s global grid stability portfolio, to unpack the differences between grid-forming and grid-following inverters and why that distinction matters more than ever.This episode covers:What grid-forming inverters actually do and why they’re crucial for system strength and inertia replacement.How grid-forming requirements differ across global markets, and where the industry is heading.The role of inverter controls in stabilising power systems with high renewables.What makes grid-following and grid-forming inverters technically distinct and what’s just marketing.Why transitioning to a 100% inverter-based grid is both possible and already underway.Whether you're an engineer working on battery integration, a policymaker shaping grid code, or just trying to understand how inverters affect system resilience, this conversation is packed with insight into one of the most transformative shifts in power system design.About our guestDr. Daniel Duckwitz is the Product Manager for Grid Services at SMA Solar Technology AG, where he leads the development of large-scale stability applications. His work focuses on optimizing battery energy storage systems (BESS) to provide critical grid services such as inertia, short-circuit current, and system restoration through advanced grid-forming technology.
For more information on what Daniel and SMA do, head to the website. https://www.sma.de/en/company/about-smaAbout 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.

Brock Petersen, COO of Satoshi Energy, discusses how Bitcoin mining and data centers can help unlock stranded renewable energy. He explains the benefits of co-locating data centers with renewable assets, which enhances grid flexibility. The conversation covers the differences in energy demands between AI and Bitcoin operations, the rapid growth of Texas's power market, and innovative cooling strategies for energy efficiency. Petersen emphasizes the need for adaptive infrastructure to handle the evolving landscape of energy consumption.

As demand for electricity skyrockets, large flexible loads like data centers and Bitcoin miners are reshaping how – and where – energy infrastructure is built. But integrating these loads into a grid already under pressure requires a rethink of both project development and power market participation.

In this episode of Transmission, Quentin is joined by Brock Petersen, COO at Satoshi Energy, to unpack how digital infrastructure is co-locating with renewables – and why that could unlock new opportunities for grid flexibility and clean energy investment. From the load profiles of AI data centers to the geographic arbitrage of Bitcoin mining, this episode explores what these emerging industries mean for grid planning, transmission bottlenecks, and the economics of new build generation.
In this episode, you'll learn:How co-location unlocks stranded renewables: Why pairing flexible data center load with renewable assets helps monetize energy that would otherwise go unused.Bitcoin vs. AI load profiles: The key differences in cooling needs, flexibility, and infrastructure requirements.ERCOT’s load boom: What 135 GW of new load requests means for one of the world’s most dynamic power markets.The role of transmission and interconnection queues: How load-following strategies could help relieve pressure on grid infrastructure.What utilities and developers should know: Insights for navigating site selection, market design, and emerging opportunities in flexible load integration.About our guestBrock Petersen is the Chief Operating Officer of Satoshi Energy, a Houston-based energy technology company pioneering the integration of renewable energy with data center operations. Brock leads the company's strategy and execution, focusing on co-locating flexible data center loads with renewable energy assets.

Satoshi Energy has secured over 467 MW in contracted projects and is developing an additional 2,000 MW pipeline, aiming to enhance grid reliability and support sustainable energy investments.
For more information, check out their website.https://satoshienergy.com/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.

Graeme Martin, Founder of Village Power, shares insights on the rise of community batteries in Australia. He discusses how these shared storage systems can enhance solar energy consumption and ease network strain. The conversation delves into the barriers to rollout, including regulatory challenges and the importance of consumer trust. Martin emphasizes how community engagement and innovative funding models can drive these initiatives. He also highlights the global implications of Australia's experiences in creating a more resilient energy system.

Graeme Martin, Founder and Director of Village Power, shares insights on community batteries in Australia, aiming to enhance local energy storage and consumption. He discusses their role in maximizing rooftop solar efficiency and reducing grid strain. Key topics include the hurdles of regulatory complexities, the importance of customer trust, and innovative funding models. Martin emphasizes community engagement and collaboration as essential for successful projects, suggesting that these local solutions could pave the way for a resilient and inclusive energy future.

Lukas Gresnigt, Head of International at Alpiq, and Nadiya Vargola, Head of BESS Business Development, dive into the evolving landscape of energy storage in Europe. They discuss how pumped hydro and batteries complement each other, highlighting their respective strengths. The duo reveals insights on adapting to solar energy's rise and the financial dynamics influencing long-term investments in flexibility. Discover how Alpiq is addressing market challenges, developing battery assets, and strategizing for a low-carbon future.

Join Lukas Gresnigt, Alpiq's Head of International, and Nadiya Vargola, Head of BESS Business Development, as they navigate the fascinating world of energy storage. They discuss how pumped hydro and battery systems work hand-in-hand to enhance flexibility in Europe's evolving energy landscape. With insights into navigating cross-border market designs and adapting gas assets to accommodate solar surges, the duo shares strategies for overcoming challenges in storage project development and the future of clean energy in Europe.

McGee Young, Founder and CEO of WattCarbon, shares insights into the shortcomings of traditional carbon accounting, advocating for real-time, location-specific data. He discusses how granular metrics can enhance clean energy investment and the role of community-led decarbonization. Young also explores innovative strategies, like sleeved Virtual Power Purchase Agreements, to improve energy management. The conversation highlights the potential of AI in making data more accessible and empowering communities to tackle climate challenges collaboratively.