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Why inverters hold the key to a more resilient energy future with Daniel Duckwitz (SMA)
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.
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35:09
Unlocking stranded renewables with Bitcoin and data centers with Brock Petersen (Satoshi Energy)
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.
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49:07
Community batteries and distributed energy in Australia with Graeme Martin (Founder - Village Power)
As rooftop solar booms and the grid grows more complex, one question is gaining urgency: how do we store energy locally, efficiently, and in a way that benefits everyone? Community batteries are emerging as one solution small-scale, shared storage systems designed to maximise solar self-consumption, reduce network strain, and deliver value back to neighbourhoods.In this episode of Transmission, Wendel is joined by Graeme Martin - Founder of Village Power to take a closer look at the real-world deployment of community batteries in Australia. From funding and grid integration to ownership models and consumer trust, this conversation explores what it takes to build energy infrastructure at street level and why that might be the key to a more resilient, inclusive electricity system.In this episode, you’ll learn:What community batteries actually do and how they fit between household solar and grid-scale storage.The biggest roadblocks to rollout, from regulatory complexity to grid connection delays.Why customer experience and transparency matter, and how trust shapes participation.The economics of local storage, including how these systems are funded and who benefits.How community-led models can scale, and what Australia’s experience means for global grids.About our guestGraeme Martin is Founder and Director of Village Power, a volunteer-led community energy group based in Melbourne. With over 30 years in environmental science and geospatial consulting, Graeme has led the group’s multi-year campaign to install a community battery in Alphington/Fairfield. For more information on the work Village Power is doing - 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.
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Inside Alpiq’s Flexibility Strategy with Nadiya Vargola and Lukas Gresnigt (Alpiq)
As Europe accelerates toward a low-carbon electricity system, storage is under the spotlight. But while battery deployments are scaling quickly, long-duration assets like pumped hydro remain a crucial part of the flexibility mix.So how do these technologies complement each other, and what’s really needed to make large-scale storage viable across different European markets?In this episode of Transmission, Ed talks with Lukas Gresnigt (Member of Executive Board) and Nadiya Vargola (Head of BESS Business Development) at Alpiq. Over the conversation they explore Alpiq’s approach to balancing legacy infrastructure with modern flexibility. From developing batteries across multiple markets to operating an 80-to-100 year lifespan pumped hydro plant in the Swiss Alps, this conversation dives into the commercial realities of grid-scale storage. You’ll hear how Alpiq is navigating cross-border market design, adapting gas peaker strategies in solar-saturated regions like Iberia, and structuring long-term investments in flexibility across Europe.Key insights include:How pumped hydro and batteries complement each other, and where each technology shinesWhat it takes to bring large storage projects to life, from decade-long build times to multigenerational returnsHow Alpiq is acquiring and developing BESS assets across European marketsWhy Iberia is a case study in flexibility, and how legacy gas assets are adapting to new solar peaksWhat market reforms are needed to unlock storage at the scale the energy transition demandsAbout our guestsNadiya Vargola is Head of BESS Business Development at Alpiq. With over 12 years in the energy sector, she is a key part of Alpiq's core team in implementing flexibility strategy and is involved in building & managing Alpiq's portfolio of BESS opportunities across Europe.Lukas Gresnigt is Head of International at Alpiq, overseeing the company’s activities outside Switzerland. His work focuses on expanding Alpiq’s commercial footprint across European energy markets, with a particular emphasis on flexibility, market access, and innovation.For more information - head to Alpiq's 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.
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The data problem undermining carbon markets with McGee Young (Founder & CEO - WattCarbon)
Carbon accounting underpins nearly every climate commitment and energy market, but today’s system often misses the mark. Most reporting is based on annual averages and generic certificates, ignoring when and where emissions are actually avoided. That mismatch creates blind spots for investors, policymakers, and clean energy developers alike.In this episode of Transmission, Quentin sits down with McGee Young, Founder & CEO at WattCarbon to explore how more accurate, time- and location-specific carbon data could transform the way we value clean energy.From tracking real emissions impact to building virtual power plants at the community level, this is a conversation about making carbon accounting smarter, and climate action more meaningful.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why traditional carbon accounting is broken and how granular, real-time data can fix it.What time-stamped energy attributes are, and why they matter for valuing clean energy projects.How virtual power plants (VPPs) can unlock local flexibility, avoid expensive grid upgrades, and share value with communities.The case for ‘sleeved VPPs’, where large energy users fund local demand-side programs instead of building new capacity.How community-led decarbonisation could reshape climate finance and deliver impact from the ground up.About our guestMcGee Young is founder and CEO of WattCarbon, a US-based company building the first platform for real-time, time-based carbon accounting and community-scale decarbonisation. At WattCarbon, he is delivering visibility into hourly carbon intensity and enabling more transparent, impact-driven carbon markets for buildings and energy projects. For more information about WattCarbons mission, head to their website. https://www.wattcarbon.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.
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36:41