Transmission

As the energy transition accelerates, batteries are no longer just utility-scale infrastructure - they're moving into homes, neighbourhoods, and communities. Residential storage is emerging as a powerful tool for improving grid reliability, reducing electricity costs, and giving consumers more control over their energy use. This shift is being driven by falling technology costs, growing demand for backup power, and the need for faster, more flexible ways to support an increasingly electrified grid.While most attention in the battery world focuses on utility-scale systems, Base Power is scaling something different: a distributed, behind-the-meter fleet of residential batteries installed across Texas homes.Zach walks us through the business model, the reasons residential deployment is faster and more scalable than many assume, and how Base’s vertically integrated strategy is unlocking both customer trust and capital efficiency. From billing and software to partnerships with utilities, the conversation unpacks what it takes to bring batteries to the grid at speed and at scale.In this episode of Transmission, Quentin is joined by Zach Dell, CEO and founder of Base Power, a fast-growing startup redefining how residential batteries are deployed and monetised in the U.S.Over the course of the conversation, you’ll hear about:The story of Base Power and why it is focusing on distributed, behind the meter residential deployment.How Base participates in ERCOT markets and plans for ancillary services.Zach’s take on cost curves, solar + storage vs nuclear, and the future of distributed energy.The role of vertical integration in reducing cost and increasing speed at every step of the process.Why more granular price signals in Texas could supercharge DER investmentAbout our guestBase Power is a Texas-based energy company pioneering a new model of home energy service by combining residential battery storage with retail electricity provision. Founded in 2023, the company aims to enhance grid reliability and affordability through a network of distributed, software-connected batteries across Texas homes. For more information on Base Power, head to their website.Zach Dell is the founder and CEO of Base Power. A Texas native with a background in finance, Zach started Base after working in New York and seeing the opportunity to accelerate battery deployment through a distributed, vertically integrated model.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.

Matt Grover, Director of Energy Markets at Fluence APAC, shares his insights on optimizing battery systems in Australia’s National Electricity Market. He discusses the evolving landscape of algorithmic bidding and the challenges of real-time state management. Grover highlights the significance of local vs. regional pricing dynamics and introduces the concept of virtual toll agreements. The conversation delves into the growth of battery portfolios and the need for sophisticated strategies in a rapidly changing, data-driven environment.

Operating a battery in Australia’s National Electricity Market (NEM) is no simple task. With a five-minute dispatch interval, nodal pricing, and an energy-only market structure, success hinges on the ability to process and respond to massive amounts of data in real time. These unique market dynamics demand sophisticated strategies for battery optimization, underpinned by algorithmic bidding and advanced forecasting.As renewable penetration grows and the grid becomes more volatile, batteries are playing a pivotal role in providing fast, flexible support. But unlocking their full value requires a deep understanding of the NEM’s fast-paced, data-driven environment—where every five minutes counts.In this episode, Matt Grover, Director of Sales Engineering and Energy Markets for Fluence in APAC - joins Wendel Hortop to discuss what optimization looks like in the NEM.Over the course of the conversation, you’ll hear about:How algorithmic bidding continues to evolve in the NEM, demanding adaptability to successfully optimize batteries.Challenges faced by asset owners in managing state of charge in real time.Local dispatch prices vs. regional settlement prices in Australia.The emergence of virtual toll agreements in the NEM.The growth of battery portfolios and the challenge of co-optimization.About our guestFluence is on a mission to create a more sustainable future by transforming the way we power our world. Fluence brings proven energy storage products and services, and digital applications for renewables and storage to support the modernization of our energy networks. For more information on the services Fluence provides, check out their website.Matt leads the Energy Markets team and the Sales Engineering function within Fluence's Digital division in APAC, looking after Fluence's Mosaic software product offering and helping dozens of renewable generators and BESS assets trade in Australia's National Electricity Market.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.

Philipp Emig, Senior Vice President at Picus Capital, specializes in early-stage investments in energy and climate technology. In this discussion, he unveils how startups can successfully navigate the evolving landscape of energy funding. He highlights key trends, including the decline in climate tech investment and the rise of innovative energy storage solutions. Emig also explores the challenges faced by entrepreneurs in diverse markets and the need for adaptive strategies, emphasizing the role of venture capital in the green transition.

As the energy transition accelerates, the landscape of start-up funding is evolving, particularly in the energy storage sector. The impact of the recent downturns and the growing complexity of the capital stack means energy start-ups need to be ahead of the curve to secure funding in an ever-changing environment.From scaling energy technologies across diverse regulatory environments to the opportunities facing climate tech entrepreneurs today, the world of venture capital is changing and so must the strategies to ensure success. In todays’s episode, Philipp Emig, Senior Vice President at Picus Capital, joins Quentin to discuss how start-up get funded in the energy transition. Throughout the conversation, you’ll hear about:The role of venture capital and early stage investing in climate tech and Picas Capital's focus in this.Trends in climate tech funding - from the decline in funding levels to the successes of battery and home energy control technologies.Differences between energy markets and comparisons of energy market development stages across regions.The importance of different types of investors at various stages of company growth.Grid-scale energy storage solutions and the potential for software-driven asset management in the energy sectorAbout our guestPicus Capital invest in early-stage technology ventures with a focus on energy & climate, fintech, enterprise infrastructure, generative ai, cybersecurity, healthcare, and enterprise application, specializing in Pre-Seed, Seed and Series A ventures. For more information on what Picus Capital do, check out their website.Philipp joined Picus Capital in 2021, where he focuses on energy & climate investments, as well as on pre-seed stage efforts. Prior to this, Philipp worked for McKinsey & Company in Munich and advised clients across Europe in the energy, mobility and process industry mainly on innovation, strategy and sustainability topics.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.

Peter Stanley, the CEO of Elexon, dives into the critical role his organization plays in the UK's energy market, overseeing important balancing and settlement processes. He discusses the impact of rising renewable energy assets and the need for clear optimization rules. Peter highlights Elexon's evolution amidst changing grid dynamics, including the transition to half-hourly settlements and the integration of smart meters. He explores future trends in energy management with AI and dynamic tariffs, emphasizing the importance of flexibility in achieving decarbonization goals.

Battery storage and renewable energy assets are only as effective as the systems that optimize them, and to do this, there needs to be clear and effective rules on how this is determined. Elexon is responsible for the Balancing & Settlement Code, or BSC, a document outlining the rules of the balancing mechanism and imbalance pricing in Great Britain. With the rise of smaller, aggregated assets and the push towards net zero, the energy landscape is changing fast, and things like the BSC need to adapt too. In this episode of Transmission, we’re joined by Peter Stanley, CEO of Elexon, to explore the critical role of optimisation and trading in energy markets. From day-to-day operations to long-term strategy, Peter shares insights on how Elexon supports grid flexibility, maximizes asset value, and navigates a rapidly evolving energy landscape. Over the conversation you’ll hear about:The role of Elexon, how the company operates and the key processes it manages.Detailed breakdown of what the settlement process looks like in Great Britain.The impact of changing grid dynamics on Elexon's operations.Elexon’s emerging role in facilitating local distributed flexibility markets.Peter’s outlook on where optimization is headed in a changing energy landscape.Mentioned in the episodePeter highlights the fundraising efforts of Nyah & Danielle Lock who are taking part in the South West Coast 50 Ultra Challenge 2025, raising money for the Mardon Neuro-Rehabilitation Centre in Exeter. You can find more information and they're just giving page here.About our guestWorking at the heart of the GB energy industry, Elexon oversee The Balancing and Settlement Code (BSC),a legal contract all electricity participants must enter into in order to participate in the electricity market. For more information on what Elexon do, head to their website.Peter Stanley is Chief Executive Officer of Elexon, joining Elexon's Executive team in 2016 and serving as Chief Operating Officer before assuming the role of CEO in 2023.With over 35 years of experience in the electricity industry, Peter has a strong background in driving technology and data-focused transformations within the energy sector. 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.

Ravi Sharma, Director of Development for Energy Storage at Deriva Energy, shares his expertise in navigating the complex landscape of battery storage development in the U.S. He highlights the unique strategies for site selection and the critical role of risk management. The conversation delves into the challenges of permitting, interconnection costs, and the competitive landscape for energy sites. Ravi also emphasizes the importance of teamwork and collaboration in overcoming hurdles and ensures project success while addressing the evolving dynamics of energy storage.

The strategy for developing battery storage sites is unique to each individual project. From securing suitable land to obtaining a grid connection, every step plays a crucial role in creating the right conditions for a viable site. A developer’s expertise is essential in navigating these complexities, ensuring a project's success long before it becomes operational.In this episode, Ravi Sharma, Director of Development - Energy Storage at Deriva Energy joins Quentin to explore the development process of battery energy storage systems in key markets in the US. Over the course of the conversation, you’ll learn about:What each stage of the development process entails, from site acquisition to connecting to the grid.The developer's role in managing risk and uncertainty throughout project lifecycle.Complexity of estimating interconnection costs and upgrades.Insight into the competitive landscape for desirable sites and substations.The need for long-duration storage valuation and procurement.About our guest Deriva is an established leader in clean energy, with 5,900 megawatts of operating and under construction wind, utility scale solar and storage assets across the U.S. Formerly known as Duke Energy Renewables, Deriva is a portfolio company of Brookfield, one of the world's largest owners and operators of renewable power and climate transition assets.Ravi Sharma is Director of Development for Energy Storage at Deriva Energy where he leads energy storage project development and manages interdisciplinary teams across various U.S. energy 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.

Battery storage has become a key pillar of the energy transition, driving improvements in grid stability and renewable integration. Understanding how investment and technology have evolved over the last decade is key to grasping the market’s growth, the role of private equity, and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for large-scale deployment.In this episode of Transmission, Jim Mills, Managing Director of Adaptogen Capital, shares his insights into the growth of the battery storage market and the role of private equity in driving change. From challenges in financing to future market trends, Jim offers a detailed look at the factors shaping the energy transition. Over the course of the conversation you’ll hear about:How the battery storage market has changed over the last 10 years, from early-stage development to large-scale deployment.Why private equity has been a key driver in scaling battery infrastructure and attracting institutional capital.Insights into the financial, regulatory, and technological hurdles that have impacted market growth.Jim’s take on emerging market trends, including the rise of co-located storage and grid-scale projects.How Adaptogen Capital identifies opportunities and structures deals to mitigate risk and maximize returns.About our guestJim Mills is Managing Director at Adaptogen Capital. Jim has extensive experience in private equity and has successfully raised and deployed funds in the battery storage sector. With a career spanning over two decades, Jim has worked closely with energy developers, investors, and policymakers to navigate the complexities of renewable energy financing and infrastructure development.Adaptogen Capital is an investment firm focused on energy storage projects that support grid stability and the transition to renewable energy. Investing in large-scale battery storage assets and helping to enhance grid flexibility and enable greater integration of renewable power sources. 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.