Great Britain recently reached 3 gigawatts of installed battery storage - a milestone in the buildout pipeline, but how has GB got to this point? What has the road looked like in getting to this point, and with still a long way to go - what might the future look like for batteries in an increasingly saturated market? Today’s episode is a little different - Neil and Wendel take a look at the state of battery buildout and what is going on in energy markets in Great Britain. Over the course of the ...
Aug 02, 2023•20 min•Ep. 1
Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of developing a battery energy storage project looks like? From securing a grid connection to acquiring land - there’s a whole lot that goes on before a battery storage system can get up and running. For this instalment of our Modo Selects series, Quentin is joined by Andy Willis - Founder and CEO at Kona Energy, to talk through the ins and outs of developing a storage site. Over the course of the conversation, they discuss: What developers are respon...
Jul 26, 2023•54 min•Ep. 1
In our increasingly electrified world, we’ll rely on batteries more than ever - and to ensure they perform as well as possible and run safely - knowing as much as possible is integral. Accure are providing their customers with the data needed to make the most out of their battery assets. In today’s episode, Quentin chats to Dr. KP Kairies, CEO at Accure Battery Intelegence. Over the course of the conversation they discuss: A crash course on different cell chemistries, and the buying habits aroun...
Jul 19, 2023•56 min•Ep. 1
Battery buildout in the USA is moving fast - but still has a long way to go and bridging the gap between existing projects and required volume is going to take time. Keeping the momentum going (and capital flowing!) in order to reach some huge targets is a huge undertaking. In today’s episode, Quentin talks to Andrew Waranch (founder & CEO) and Nick Dazzo (Managing Director of Trading) from Spearmint Energy. Over the course of the conversation they discuss: Building the business - playing th...
Jul 13, 2023•46 min•Ep. 1
The road to decarbonization is multifaceted and deeply complex. Tackling one part of it opens up the floor to more questions new problems to solve. What is the current state of climate and where are we in the decarbonization pipeline? In today’s episode - Quentin speaks with Nathaniel Bullard - independant keynote speaker, board-level strategy facilitator, and climate-focused advisorOver the course of the conversation they discuss: Nat’s background and career - including giving away a 140 slide ...
Jul 05, 2023•59 min•Ep. 1
By smoothing over unstable voltage waveforms - inertia is a fascinating and important part of the system. Being able to accurately measure inertia is becoming more and more important as we transition to renewable generation, which is changing the weight of inertia on the grid. For this instalment in our Modo Selects series we are revisiting this episode with Chris Kimmett - Chief Operations Officer at Reactive Technologies. He and Quentin talk about how utilising inertia is imperative to balance...
Jun 21, 2023•40 min•Ep. 1
When a battery can no longer effectively fulfil the role, it was first intended to - it doesn’t mean it's the end. Getting the most out of every stage of an asset's life stage is crucial in not only maximising the revenue it can generate whilst also lowering its environmental impact. Zenobē is working on some really cool endeavours to repurpose the batteries from their electric bus fleet and putting them to good use in new and exciting projects. Robert Long, Business Development Manager at Zenob...
Jun 14, 2023•35 min•Ep. 1
Energy trading agreements come in all sorts of shapes and sizes - from simply priced physical and financial trading of energy products, to much more complex arrangements. Originators and traders need to understand market dynamics, potential risks and upsides, asset capabilities - and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. For this instalment of our Modo Selects series, we are revisiting this episode, in which Vishnu Aggarwal (Deputy VP of Origination and Renewables, SmartestEnergy) joins Quentin to...
Jun 07, 2023•53 min•Ep. 1
In the ever-expanding market for land and existing asset sites - buyers, developers, land owners and anyone else involved in building a BESS project - will need to be as informed as possible. What factors determine whether a site would make a good location? What dictates the price of development? In today’s episode, Quentin talks to Max Stirling, Associate Director at JLL Energy & Infrastructure Advisory. Some highlights of the conversation include: How JLL works with both developers and buy...
May 31, 2023•50 min•Ep. 1
Nuclear power is a fascinating part of the energy mix and with advancements in nuclear fusion, the opportunity for a green power supply - with abundant fuel sources and fewer long-lasting waste materials - is gaining momentum! In today’s episode, Quentin sits down with Dr Mark Wenman -Reader in Nuclear Materials at Imperial College London, to talk about nuclear energy, in particular nuclear fusion. Over the course of the conversation, they discuss: The two processes to generate nuclear energy - ...
May 24, 2023•48 min•Ep. 1
Nuclear power is a fascinating part of the energy mix and with advancements in nuclear fusion, the opportunity for a green power supply - with abundant fuel sources and fewer long-lasting waste materials - is gaining momentum! In today’s episode, Quentin sits down with Dr Mark Wenman -Reader in Nuclear Materials at Imperial College London, to talk about nuclear energy, in particular nuclear fusion. Over the course of the conversation, they discuss: The two types of nuclear energy - fusion and fi...
May 24, 2023•48 min•Ep. 1
The inflation reduction act is turbo charging buildout of domestic renewable energy solutions in the USA. Until this point - stationary storage hasn’t been the main focus, but that is about to change. Pomega are in the race to be first to market to provide it all - from LFP cells to turnkey energy storage solutions. Louis Caso - Vice President of Business Development at Pomega, joins Quentin in Austin, Texas - to record this episode. Over the course of the conversation they discuss: Pomega’s vis...
May 17, 2023•45 min•Ep. 1
The power of marine energy is vast - and being able to tap into this infinite supply could open up endless opportunities for renewable generation. Being able to test new ocean technologies easily means faster deployment in the journey to net-zero - but what is involved in marine power and where is it best placed. In this episode, Quentin is joined by Neil Kermode (Managing Director at The European Marine Energy Centre or EMEC). Over the course of the conversation, they discuss: The differences b...
May 10, 2023•51 min•Ep. 1
The power of marine energy is vast - and being able to tap into this infinite supply could open up endless opportunities for renewable generation. Being able to test new ocean technologies easily means faster deployment in the journey to net-zero - but what is involved in marine power and where is it best placed. In this episode, Quentin is joined by Neil Kermode (Managing Director at The European Marine Energy Centre or EMEC). Over the course of the conversation, they discuss: The differences b...
May 10, 2023•51 min•Ep. 1
For today’s Modo Selects - we are looking back at this episode from summer ‘22 with Ross Grier from Next Energy Capital. Solar energy is a huge player in the journey to net zero - and it turns out that Great Britain is an excellent place to deploy this technology! There’s far more than meets the eye to this often seemingly passive energy producer. In this episode, Ross Grier (Managing Director at NextEnergy Capital) chats to Quentin about the following topics: Ross’s story and an intro to NextEn...
May 03, 2023•56 min•Ep. 1
Over the coming weeks we are lining up some really awesome guests on the podcast to cover the state of battery build-out in the US, and more specifically ERCOT. To give some context for these upcoming episodes, we are bringing you an introduction to ERCOT in today's episode. Quentin sits down with Alex Done (Lead data scientist at Modo Energy) to give us an outline of this fascinating market and some of the differences between how things work in Texas vs Great Britain. Over the course of the con...
Apr 26, 2023•31 min•Ep. 56
We often focus on the impact of cycling and the degradation of battery cells, but there are other components in a battery that go through daily wear and tear - one factor influencing this is power quality. As the world transitions to a cleaner future which relies on inverter-based technologies - power quality is an important consideration when building an asset. In this episode, Quentin is joined by Tim Rastall, Chief Technology Officer at Enspec Power. Over the course of the conversation they d...
Apr 19, 2023•33 min•Ep. 1
Today we are taking a look back at another of our favourite episodes, in case you missed it the first time around! Following success in this year's leasing rounds, we thought now would be a good time to revisit this episode with Kerry Hayes from floating wind developer - Simply Blue Group. How can we utilise the UK’s blustery coastlines to their full potential? Enter floating wind - the next step in offshore wind energy generation, allowing these mega structures to be deployed into deeper waters...
Apr 13, 2023•48 min•Ep. 54
The future is going to need all varieties of storage solutions. Today we are taking a look at how rust (yes, rust!) is transforming multi-day storage systems, and could be the future of low-cost long duration storage solutions. In today’s episode, Quentin is joined by David Hill (Director of Business Development at Form Energy). Over the course of the conversation, they discuss: The story behind Form Energy and development of this 100-hour system. The science behind iron-air technology and how t...
Apr 05, 2023•46 min•Ep. 53
In Great Britain (and elsewhere), ancillary services have so far dominated the revenue stack for battery energy storage assets. But that’s changing! For flexible assets facing ancillary service saturation, being able to successfully trade in wholesale markets is more important than ever before - and that requires a very different optimisation skillset. In today’s episode, Quentin is joined by Jürgen Mayerhofer (CEO & Co-founder at Enspired). Over the course of the conversation they discuss: ...
Mar 29, 2023•43 min•Ep. 52
With such a vast career in the energy space there’s no wonder Laurent Segalen has developed a list of ‘rules’ he lives and works by - and has kindly shared with us! Buckle up for this bumper episode - which covers almost everything you can think of and lots of words of wisdom in between. In this episode, Quentin chats with Laurent (Co-Host of the Redefining Energy Podcast and Managing Partner of Megawatt-X), during the course of the conversation, they cover topics including: A deep dive into Lau...
Mar 23, 2023•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 51
There’s no arguing, gravity is always hanging around - but it doesn’t have to hold us down! Today we are taking a look into how gravity can be utilised to create energy storage solutions. In this episode, Quentin is joined by Robin Lane (Commercial Director at Gravitricity). Over the course of the conversation, they discuss: ⚡ The science behind the technology - the advantages, the limitations and the ways in which Gravitricity are tackling them. ⚡ A look at the CAPEX involved in building these ...
Mar 16, 2023•45 min•Ep. 50
Energy majors play a pivotal role in supporting a just energy transition, but what do they need to do and what does a green future look like for companies founded in fossil fuels?Today, guest host Ed Porter chats with Wafa Jafri (Partner and Energy Strategy Lead at KMPG), who is at the forefront of helping these businesses make the changes necessary to move forward in a renewables-focused world. Over the course of the discussion, they discuss: The differences in strategy & belief between oil...
Mar 09, 2023•30 min•Ep. 1
In case you missed us live at Energy Storage Summit 2023 - we’ve got you! In this special live episode, Quentin is joined by Paula Travesso, Principal at Gore Street Captial. Over the course of the conversation, they discuss: Who are Gore Street, what they do and how they operate. The importance of diversification across multiple different factors. What makes a great optimiser from a investor's point of view? What does the pipeline look like in todays climate and how has it changed over time? Qu...
Mar 02, 2023•42 min•Ep. 48
Today we are revisiting an old favourite that you might have missed the first time round, one year on from its recording! This is still one of the most ambitious projects we’ve ever seen. Harnessing the power of the Moroccan sun and transporting the subsequent electricity 3800 kilometers to Great Britain, Xlinks is building an interconnector whose sheer size will eclipse anything else of its ilk. Project Director Richard Hardy joins Quentin to discuss: How an interconnector works. The technical ...
Feb 23, 2023•40 min•Ep. 47
There aren’t many people in the industry who have as big views or voice as Michael Liebreich. Today's episode covers a multitude of topics, which really reflects Michael's myriad of roles in the energy industry and the wider transition to a cleaner energy future. In this bumper episode, Quentin chats to Michael Liebriech (Chairman & CEO at Liebreich Associates). During the course of the conversation, they cover topics including: Michael's journey in the energy industry and role in the energy...
Feb 16, 2023•2 hr 37 min•Ep. 46
Burning rubbish as part of a waste disposal initiative might sound like an easy way to get rid of our household refuse, but that is not the case. Today we take a deep dive into the hugely complicated the energy from waste process - turning our everyday waste into usable energy and, despite common misconceptions, making it as green as possible. In this episode, Quentin is joined by Mark Shatwell (Principal Engineer @ Fichtner Consulting Engineers Ltd) Over the course of the episode they discuss: ...
Feb 09, 2023•55 min•Ep. 1
How do you start a global battery storage business, and what things ensure the growth and success across a plethora of locations? Today we take a look at the ins and outs of doing just this in order to deliver green energy. In this episode, Quentin is joined by Chris Morrison (CEO at Eku Energy). Over the course of the conversation, they discuss: An overview of Chris’s varied career and journey in the energy industry so far. The vision and purpose of Chris’s new venture - Eku Energy. The why beh...
Feb 02, 2023•30 min•Ep. 44
The world of power trading has grown exponentially in the last two decades. Power is a commodity, just like any other and today we take a look at what is involved in being a power trader and what the trading landscape looks like today compared to when it started. In this episode, Quentin is joined by Julie Arnold (Head of Power, Gas and Emissions at Dare). Over the course of the episode they discuss: An overview of what power trading actually entails and how far has it come in the last 20 years....
Jan 26, 2023•43 min•Ep. 1
Wind power is contributing more than ever before to our energy system, but what challenges surround the buildout and optimisation of our ever-growing offshore wind fleet? In this episode we revisit one of our favourite conversation between Ørsted’s Bridgit Hartland-Johnson joins Quentin to discuss: What goes into building an offshore wind farm. How CfDs (contracts for difference) work. Why we need more battery energy storage to support our growing wind fleet, and the prospects for wind and BESS ...
Jan 19, 2023•35 min•Ep. 1
