Transmission

From a once nearly worthless by-product to a critical energy resource, natural gas forms a vital pillar in global energy production. With advancements in storing and transporting gas as liquified natural gas (LNG), its potential continues to expand. However, this fossil fuel's role in the energy landscape remains necessary.

The relationship between power and gas prices is tightly interlinked, with gas often setting the marginal price in wholesale markets. But what factors contribute to the volatility of gas prices? How do geopolitical events shape the market? How does speculation influence gas prices— and have we passed the point of useful speculation?

In this episode, Seb Kennedy, Founding Editor of Energy Flux, joins Quentin to unpack the complexities of natural gas, the global gas markets, and gas's evolving role as we work towards decarbonizing our energy supply. Throughout their discussion, they explore:

• An overview of natural gas, from extraction and transportation to pricing.
• Gas demand trends in Europe and the rise of LNG.
• Impact of decarbonization on gas demand in Europe
• The drivers of price volatility and the role of speculation in the market.
• The extent speculation influences gas prices - how much is too much?

About our guest

Energy Flux is a 100% editorially independent newsletter that analyses global natural gas markets, energy economics and geopolitics through the lens of Europe’s net-zero journey. Founded by Seb Kennedy, a freelance energy journalist and market analyst who is using data to carve out engaging narratives about the economics of decarbonisation. For more information on Energy Flux - head over to the website or check Seb out on LinkedIn or X.

About Modo Energy

Modo Energy provides forecasts, benchmarking, data, and insights for new energy assets - all in one place.

Built for analysts, Modo helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets. Modo’s paid plans serve more than 80% of battery storage owners and operators in Great Britain and ERCOT.

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 video series of bite-sized chunks explaining how different battery energy storage systems work. For more information on how gas prices affect power price, check out our written research.

The energy landscape in Great Britain is undergoing constant transformation, driven by emerging technologies, new markets, and evolving regulations and policies. In this episode, we explore the challenges and opportunities within the sector, from navigating the Capacity Market to understanding the future role of battery storage and demand-side response in shaping the energy market today.

Lisa Waters, Founding Director of Waters Wye Associates, joins Ed Porter to discuss how batteries can be leveraged for greater impact, the regulatory changes needed for better market integration, and the intricate process of implementing regulatory updates in the UK. Key topics covered include:

• The evolution of the UK’s electricity markets over the years.

• Regulatory inefficiencies and the need for more strategic leadership from regulators.
• The Capacity Market’s purpose and how energy storage fits within this framework.

• How energy storage could be better integrated into the market and its future role in the GB power system.

• An overview of the Balancing Settlement Code (BSC) and its role in energy settlements.

About our guest

Lisa Waters is a founding Director of Waters Wye Associates (WWA). She is an economist with over twenty five years’ experience in the energy sector, working for a wide variety of energy companies and customers.

Waters Wye Associates has been providing bespoke support to organisations operating in UK and European energy markets since 2002. With extensive expertise in commercial power, gas and gas storage; experience in due diligence work in a variety of markets; analytical skills and experience developing targeted solutions for the energy markets as well as understanding of regulation and policy, capacity market and more. For more information, head to their website.

About Modo Energy

Modo Energy provides forecasts, benchmarking, data, and insights for new energy assets - all in one place.

Built for analysts, Modo helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets. Modo’s paid plans serve more than 80% of battery storage owners and operators in Great Britain and ERCOT.

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 video series of bite-sized chunks explaining how different battery energy storage systems work. For more information on the capacity market and government policy and regulations, check out our written research.

The energy landscape in Great Britain is undergoing constant transformation, driven by emerging technologies, new markets, and evolving regulations and policies. In this episode, we explore the challenges and opportunities within the sector, from navigating the Capacity Market to understanding the future role of battery storage and demand-side response in shaping the energy market today.

Lisa Waters, Founding Director of Waters Wye Associates, joins Ed Porter to discuss how batteries can be leveraged for greater impact, the regulatory changes needed for better market integration, and the intricate process of implementing regulatory updates in the UK. Key topics covered include:

• The evolution of the UK’s electricity markets over the years.

• Regulatory inefficiencies and the need for more strategic leadership from regulators.
• The Capacity Market’s purpose and how energy storage fits within this framework.

• How energy storage could be better integrated into the market and its future role in the GB power system.

• An overview of the Balancing Settlement Code (BSC) and its role in energy settlements.

About our guest

Lisa Waters is a founding Director of Waters Wye Associates (WWA). She is an economist with over twenty five years’ experience in the energy sector, working for a wide variety of energy companies and customers.

Waters Wye Associates has been providing bespoke support to organisations operating in UK and European energy markets since 2002. With extensive expertise in commercial power, gas and gas storage; experience in due diligence work in a variety of markets; analytical skills and experience developing targeted solutions for the energy markets as well as understanding of regulation and policy, capacity market and more. For more information, head to their website.

About Modo Energy

Modo Energy provides forecasts, benchmarking, data, and insights for new energy assets - all in one place.

Built for analysts, Modo helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets. Modo’s paid plans serve more than 80% of battery storage owners and operators in Great Britain and ERCOT.

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 video series of bite-sized chunks explaining how different battery energy storage systems work. For more information on the capacity market and government policy and regulations, check out our written research.

As more atypical energy players enter the space, the need for tools to support capital entering into projects is ever growing. In today’s episode Quentin chats to Pete Tickler (CPO & Co-Founder) and Genna Boyle (Director of UK & Europe) from Gridcog. Over the course of the conversation, they discuss:

• The differences across markets globally and what we can learn from them.
• ‘Community assets’ and how these can help make the most of under-utilized connections.
• Sector linkage - how atypical players are now moving into the energy sphere and what the future looks like in this increasingly linked world.
• Network price signals, a look at double sided markets and why they are imperative in the transition.
• And of course - Gridcog’s role in all of this.

About our guest

Gridcog are on an environmental mission to help organizations transition to a decentralized and decarbonized energy future. Their platform enables multi-market, multi-site, and multi-asset energy project simulation, optimisation, and tracking.

For more information on what Gridcog do -head to their website.

About Modo

Modo is the all-in-one Asset Success Platform for battery energy storage. It combines in-depth data curation and analysis, asset revenue benchmarking, and unique research reports - to ensure that owners and operators of battery energy storage can make the most out of their assets. Modo’s paid plans serve more than 80% of battery storage owners and operators in Great Britain.

To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualisation, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn.

If you want to peek behind the curtain for a glimpse of our day-to-day life in the Modo office(s), check us out on Instagram.

With the 2030 clean energy target approaching, swift action is required from both the industry and the new Labour government. To meet this goal, we need to accelerate generation capacity, streamline grid connection processes, and optimize the use of existing resources. What strategies can help us achieve this, and where should the government focus to ensure success?

In this episode, Chief Executive at Energy UK - Emma Pinchbeck joins Quentin to explore the challenges around clean energy the new UK government is facing over their first months in power. Over the conversation, they discuss:

• The importance of understanding the broader impacts of new government policies.
• How Energy UK is navigating political shifts as the UK's leading energy trade association.
• Energy UK's 'Mission Possible' report, highlighting five urgent government recommendations.

• The critical role of upcoming Contracts for Difference (CfD) auction rounds in achieving net-zero goals.
• The need for strategic planning and resource allocation for grid expansion.

Mentioned in the episode

• Material World: A Substantial Story of Our Past and Future - Ed Conway

• Results of Contracts for Difference second allocation round. Strike prices of £57.50 and £74 were allocated for the three offshore wind farms in 2017 (Triton Knoll, Moray East and Hornsea 2). These results were around 50% less than in the previous allocation round.
• Young Energy Professionals network. Please take a few minutes to fill out the Future Energy Leaders survey.

About our guest

Energy UK are the trade association for the UK energy industry, representing over 100 members including energy suppliers, generators, aggregators, flexibility optimisers, EV charging operators and software companies. They work with the sector, government, regulators and wider stakeholders to champion a sustainable UK energy industry. For more information - head over to their website.

About Modo Energy

Modo Energy provides forecasts, benchmarking, data, and insights for new energy assets - all in one place.

Built for analysts, Modo helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets. Modo’s paid plans serve more than 80% of battery storage owners and operators in Great Britain and ERCOT.

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 video series of bite-sized chunks explaining how different battery energy storage systems work. For more information on grid connections, check out our written research.

With the 2030 clean energy target approaching, swift action is required from both the industry and the new Labour government. To meet this goal, we need to accelerate generation capacity, streamline grid connection processes, and optimize the use of existing resources. What strategies can help us achieve this, and where should the government focus to ensure success?

In this episode, Chief Executive at Energy UK - Emma Pinchbeck joins Quentin to explore the challenges around clean energy the new UK government is facing over their first months in power. Over the conversation, they discuss:

• The importance of understanding the broader impacts of new government policies.
• How Energy UK is navigating political shifts as the UK's leading energy trade association.
• Energy UK's 'Mission Possible' report, highlighting five urgent government recommendations.

• The critical role of upcoming Contracts for Difference (CfD) auction rounds in achieving net-zero goals.
• The need for strategic planning and resource allocation for grid expansion.

Mentioned in the episode

• Material World: A Substantial Story of Our Past and Future - Ed Conway

• Results of Contracts for Difference second allocation round. Strike prices of £57.50 and £74 were allocated for the three offshore wind farms in 2017 (Triton Knoll, Moray East and Hornsea 2). These results were around 50% less than in the previous allocation round.
• Young Energy Professionals network. Please take a few minutes to fill out the Future Energy Leaders survey.

About our guest

Energy UK are the trade association for the UK energy industry, representing over 100 members including energy suppliers, generators, aggregators, flexibility optimisers, EV charging operators and software companies. They work with the sector, government, regulators and wider stakeholders to champion a sustainable UK energy industry. For more information - head over to their website.

About Modo Energy

Modo Energy provides forecasts, benchmarking, data, and insights for new energy assets - all in one place.

Built for analysts, Modo helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets. Modo’s paid plans serve more than 80% of battery storage owners and operators in Great Britain and ERCOT.

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 video series of bite-sized chunks explaining how different battery energy storage systems work. For more information on grid connections, check out our written research.

With only around 200 GW of the potential 700 GW pipeline needed to meet Great Britain's electricity demand, many projects will never reach completion. Many of these projects will never be completed, and some ‘zombie’ projects that are stuck in the queue with no real chance of progressing take up valuable grid connection space.

It's becoming clear that the current system, where projects are connected on a ‘first in, first connected’ basis, is creating major delays. As critical deadlines approach, there’s growing pressure to add more renewable energy and improve the grid connection process.

In this episode, Ed Porter is joined by Ed Birkett, Director of New Projects at Low Carbon, UK Development. Over the conversation, they discuss:

• How changes in Contracts for Difference auctions could help reach net zero targets.
• Issues with long lead times for integral equipment needed for grid connections.

• The current state of the grid connection queue and what could be done to improve the system.
• Insight into the types of costs involved at each stage of the development process for solar.

• Why we need to find a balance between strategic planning and the market-based approach to connecting to the grid.

About our guest

Low Carbon’s mission is to create renewable power capacity for the world, at scale. Through building, developing and managing solar, wind and waste-to-energy projects, whilst limiting environmental impact. Low Carbon also has a dedicated Asset Management team that oversees a ~1GW portfolio of operating renewable energy assets. For more information on what they do, head to their website.

About Modo Energy

Modo Energy provides forecasts, benchmarking, data, and insights for new energy assets - all in one place.

Built for analysts, Modo helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets. Modo’s paid plans serve more than 80% of battery storage owners and operators in Great Britain and ERCOT.

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 video series of bite-sized chunks explaining how different battery energy storage systems work. For more information on grid connections, check out our written research.

With only around 200 GW of the potential 700 GW pipeline needed to meet Great Britain's electricity demand, many projects will never reach completion. Many of these projects will never be completed, and some ‘zombie’ projects that are stuck in the queue with no real chance of progressing take up valuable grid connection space.

It's becoming clear that the current system, where projects are connected on a ‘first in, first connected’ basis, is creating major delays. As critical deadlines approach, there’s growing pressure to add more renewable energy and improve the grid connection process.

In this episode, Ed Porter is joined by Ed Birkett, Director of New Projects at Low Carbon, UK Development. Over the conversation, they discuss:

• How changes in Contracts for Difference auctions could help reach net zero targets.
• Issues with long lead times for integral equipment needed for grid connections.

• The current state of the grid connection queue and what could be done to improve the system.
• Insight into the types of costs involved at each stage of the development process for solar.

• Why we need to find a balance between strategic planning and the market-based approach to connecting to the grid.

About our guest

Low Carbon’s mission is to create renewable power capacity for the world, at scale. Through building, developing and managing solar, wind and waste-to-energy projects, whilst limiting environmental impact. Low Carbon also has a dedicated Asset Management team that oversees a ~1GW portfolio of operating renewable energy assets. For more information on what they do, head to their website.

About Modo Energy

Modo Energy provides forecasts, benchmarking, data, and insights for new energy assets - all in one place.

Built for analysts, Modo helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets. Modo’s paid plans serve more than 80% of battery storage owners and operators in Great Britain and ERCOT.

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 video series of bite-sized chunks explaining how different battery energy storage systems work. For more information on grid connections, check out our written research.

The Electricity System Operator (ESO) has released its annual Future Energy Scenarios report for 2024, which outlines potential pathways to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Storage plays a crucial element in the transition to a clean energy future. However, for batteries to successfully fulfil their role, significant system changes are necessary. From refining the grid connection process to optimizing how batteries are dispatched by the control room. The Future Energy Scenarios

In this episode, ESO's Strategy and Policy Director Claire Dykta, returns to discuss:

• The ESO’s Future Energy Scenarios: Pathways to Net Zero framework and the key actions required to achieve it.

• The evolving role of energy storage and the future needs of the network.
• The proposed shift in connection policy from a "first come, first served" to a "first ready, first connected" system.
• Insights into the initial months of the Open Balancing Platform (OBP).

• The impact of the multi-dispatch tool and other recent changes that have increased the utilization of batteries in the balancing mechanism.

Mentioned in the episode

Exploring the Balancing Mechanism with Claire Dykta NG ESO

Data on dispatch rates - discussed in our article Battery energy storage revenues decrease by 26% in July 2024.

About our guest

ESO is the Electricity System Operator for Great Britain, making sure that Great Britain has the essential energy it needs by ensuring supply meets demand every second of every day. They are responsible for moving high voltage electricity from where it’s generated, through the energy system. For more information about what ESO do, head to their website.

About Modo Energy

Modo Energy provides forecasts, benchmarking, data, and insights for new energy assets - all in one place.

Built for analysts, Modo helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets. Modo’s paid plans serve more than 80% of battery storage owners and operators in Great Britain and ERCOT.

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 video series of bite-sized chunks explaining how different battery energy storage systems work. For more information on energy policy and market reform, check out our written research.

The Electricity System Operator (ESO) has released its annual Future Energy Scenarios report for 2024, which outlines potential pathways to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Storage plays a crucial element in the transition to a clean energy future. However, for batteries to successfully fulfil their role, significant system changes are necessary. From refining the grid connection process to optimizing how batteries are dispatched by the control room. The Future Energy Scenarios

In this episode, ESO's Strategy and Policy Director, Claire Dykta, returns to discuss:

• The ESO’s Future Energy Scenarios: Pathways to Net Zero framework and the key actions required to achieve it.

• The evolving role of energy storage and the future needs of the network.
• The proposed shift in connection policy from a "first come, first served" to a "first ready, first connected" system.
• Insights into the initial months of the Open Balancing Platform (OBP).

• The impact of the multi-dispatch tool and other recent changes that have increased the utilization of batteries in the balancing mechanism.

Mentioned in the episode

Exploring the Balancing Mechanism with Claire Dykta NG ESO

Data on dispatch rates - discussed in our article Battery energy storage revenues decrease by 26% in July 2024.

About our guest

ESO is the Electricity System Operator for Great Britain, making sure that Great Britain has the essential energy it needs by ensuring supply meets demand every second of every day. They are responsible for moving high voltage electricity from where it’s generated, through the energy system. For more information about what ESO do, head to their website.

About Modo Energy

Modo Energy provides forecasts, benchmarking, data, and insights for new energy assets - all in one place.

Built for analysts, Modo helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets. Modo’s paid plans serve more than 80% of battery storage owners and operators in Great Britain and ERCOT.

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 video series of bite-sized chunks explaining how different battery energy storage systems work. For more information on energy policy and market reform, check out our written research.