Transmission

It’s no secret we love batteries, and it is clear that battery storage has come a long way in a relatively short amount of time. With various storage technologies in operation across the industry - there are also various differences in use cases. In today's episode, Quentin chats to Alan Greenshields Director EMEA at ESS inc to really deep dive into the journey that batteries have gone (and are st...

We love learning about other businesses that are committed to solving real problems in the journey to net zero. Today we share another founder's story. Jordan Appleson - CEO of Hark Systems joins Quentin to chat about his company. Just some of the topics they cover during the conversation include: An introduction to Hark Systems and its mission. What problems do they address and how? The pros and...

Venture capital investments provide opportunities for growth and change for innovative businesses all over the world. But what goes on behind the scenes, what do investors look for when seeking companies to invest in and what sort of thing gets them excited? In this episode, Quentin is joined by Lloyd Butterworth, Investment Manager at Fred Olsen & co and board member at Modo. Over the course...

Making sure the entirety of Great Britain has enough energy, all the time, is a mammoth task, and doing this whilst simultaneously transitioning to a new suite of services in order to reach a zero carbon electricity system is even more of a challenge. In this bumper episode Quentin chats to Faye Relton (Ancillary Services Development Manager) and Neil Morgans (Balancing Services Optimisation Manag...

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. On the latest episode of Modo: The Podcast, Vishnu Aggarwal (Deputy VP of Origi...

Since we started producing Modo: The Podcast, we’ve gotten to know loads of truly amazing people. We’ve met pioneers from across the energy industry - all working to build the future energy system. And we’re trying to play our part in that too - by making battery energy storage a success. That’s why we’ve built our Asset Success Platform. But what do we mean by ‘Asset Success’? Today, Quentin is s...

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 Capitol) chats to Quentin about the following topics: Ross’s story and an overview of NextEnergy Capital and wh...

We've had plenty of lovely guests on Modo: The Podcast - and they've got some amazing ideas for and about the future energy system. In this mini-episode, we've compiled some of our favourite clips, featuring the builders, innovators and pioneers of the energy industry outlining their respective hopes and visions for the future. You'll learn about Bridgit Hartland-Johnson's dream of a fully integra...

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 and windier conditions. But how does it all work? On the latest episode of Modo: The Podcast, Kerry Hayes (Project Development Manager at Simply Blue Group) talks to Quentin about all things...

Tech companies form a vital component in the future energy industry. What does it take to ensure they are effectively helping to solve the problems the energy industry faces and what makes one successful from a business perspective? In this episode, Peter Bance (CEO & Founder at Origami Energy) joins Quentin in conversation. They discuss: Peter’s story and the journey of Origami Energy. Differ...

In the race toward net zero, companies need to problem solve at every turn. Clean transportation and ‘storage on wheels’ technology provides one such answer to part of this huge question. But how is this achieved and how did the company pioneering it get to where they are today? Quentin speaks with Steven Meersman (Co-Founder & Director at Zenobē). In this episode they discuss: Steven's backgr...

Lithium-ion batteries are the dominant technology when it comes to grid-scale battery energy storage systems. However - like any other technology - it brings with it a particular set of risks. Fire suppression is an integral part of building a safe and successful battery energy storage asset. In this episode, Quentin talks to Ian Bartle (CEO, Nobel Fire Systems). They discuss: What sets a battery...

The primary role of battery energy storage optimisers is to make sure that the assets they operate enter the most lucrative markets at the most opportune times. However, as more potential revenue streams emerge, this task becomes more complex. In this episode, Tim Overton (Chief Operating Officer, Modo) talks to Jacob Monroe (Chief Commercial Officer, Arenko Group) about the challenges facing batt...

How is electricity traded? And what is 'imbalance settlement'? The Balancing and Settlement Code, or BSC, is a document outlining the rules of the balancing mechanism and imbalance pricing in Great Britain. In today's episode, Quentin speaks to Aditi Tulpule, Legal Counsel at Elexon - the organisation that manages imbalance pricing and payment. In this episode they discuss: A brief history of the...

Batteries are pretty cool inventions! And we’re only scratching the surface of what they’re capable of. They have a multitude of applications - in energy storage and beyond. On today’s episode, Marek Kubik (Managing Director, Fluence) joins Quentin to discuss everything you need to know about batteries. Their conversation covers: The flexible characteristics of different cell chemistries. Current...

As the world of battery energy storage grows, so does the opportunity for strategic investment. Ben Guest has been investing in battery energy storage systems (BESS) since the beginning, and is the Managing Director and Lead Fund Manager at Gresham House New Energy - which has the largest BESS portfolio in Great Britain. Ben joins Quentin to discuss: The history and evolution of markets for batter...

What goes into actually building a battery energy storage system? Amit Gudka joins Quentin to talk about his experiences at Field, the company he founded. Field is moving extremely quickly - the plan being to develop, own, operate, and optimise assets - in a bid to become a major player in the future energy system. Their conversation takes in: The growing need for newbuild renewable infrastructure...

Ever wondered what goes into connecting a battery to the grid? Andreas Fritzsche (Managing Director) and Matt Paterson (Sales Director) from Ethical Power Connections Ltd. chat with Quentin, and lay it out step by step. In this episode they discuss: The role of an Independent Connection Provider (ICP). Common constraints in the connection process. What to take into account from an investment point...

What does it take to build a successful startup in the energy storage space? Matt Allen, CEO and co-founder of Pivot Power, joins Quentin to share his insights into the future of energy storage and EVs, building big batteries, as well as a host of other lessons learned in life and in industry. The pair discuss: Why we need to move rapidly in the transition to net-zero. The dream of a distributed,...

In this episode, we discuss one of the most ambitious projects the world has ever seen. Harnessing the power of the Moroccan sun and transporting the subsequent electricity 3800 kilometers to Great Britain, Xlinks is building an interconnector project whose sheer size will eclipse anything else of its ilk. Project Director Richard Hardy joins Quentin to discuss: How interconnectors work. The techn...

As our battery energy storage fleet continues to grow, we’re seeing more new faces enter the optimisation space. But how does a startup even begin to go about controlling battery energy storage systems? In this episode, Entrix’s founder Steffen Schülzchen joins Quentin to discuss: How to enter into battery energy storage optimisation. What non-physical trading means in reality. Navigating Elexon a...

Wind power is contributing more than ever before to our energy system. But what are the challenges surrounding the buildout and optimisation of our ever-growing offshore wind fleet? In this episode, 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 o...

Bitcoin mining is one of the most controversial topics in energy right now. Its supporters believe that it has the potential to create new and flexible commercial avenues for energy infrastructure, while its detractors say that it’s a waste of energy that would be better used elsewhere. In this episode, Modo’s Chief Product Officer Nima Tabatabai joins Quentin to discuss: Bitcoin’s energy usage -...

Energy management systems (EMS) help businesses and energy communities to reduce electricity costs and carbon emissions. At Modo, we tend to focus on ‘in front of the meter’ assets, but in this episode, Wattstor CEO Stephan Marty joins Quentin in conversation to discuss the following topics: What energy management systems do. Where they fit into the future energy system. Current trends in behind t...

Given our increasing reliance on intermittent renewables, we need to build a more flexible system. In this episode, Piclo CEO and co-founder James Johnston joins Modo CEO Quentin in conversation to discuss the following topics: What flexibility means and why it matters. How to build smart solutions for distribution network problems. How local flexibility markets work. Creating a more dynamic, flex...