Networking In Energy Sector

Grid bottlenecks are a feature — not a bug — of the energy transition. For years, we viewed economics as the main hurdle to scaling clean energy. High costs for wind, solar, heat pumps, and storage dominated the conversation. But the world has changed. Thanks to extraordinary innovation and dramatic cost reductions in renewables and electrification technologies, the bottlenecks we face today are different. They’re no longer about whether clean energy is affordable — it is. Instead, the challenge is whether our energy systems can evolve quickly enough to integrate it. A recent Financial Times piece highlights this clearly: across Europe, the rapid build-out of renewable generation now outpaces the ability of grids to move electricity to where it’s needed. Curtailment, congestion, and long queues for grid connections already cost billions annually — and without decisive action, these costs will grow. This isn’t a sign of failure. It’s a sign of success. It means the transition is happening faster than the infrastructure built for the fossil era can handle. The rise of decentralised, variable renewables and electrified heating and transport requires a fundamentally different approach to planning — one that anticipates growth rather than reacts to it. The EU’s move toward more coordinated, top-down scenario building and cross-border grid planning recognises exactly this. Better alignment between countries and system operators, faster permitting, and prioritisation of critical projects are essential steps to unlock the full value of cheap clean energy. Because every euro lost to bottlenecks is not a cost of climate action — it’s a cost of not modernising our grids fast enough. The more successful we are in deploying renewables and electrification, the more urgently we must upgrade and expand our grids. Grid constraints are not a reason to slow down. They’re a reason to speed up the transformation of an energy system that was never designed for the technologies now powering our transition.

The power grid could become the biggest bottleneck of Europe’s energy transition Europe is accelerating its renewable deployment, but a critical limit is becoming increasingly clear: the grid. According to a recent report by Ember (https://lnkd.in/eDPBivRa), insufficient electricity network capacity could become the main constraint on both energy security and decarbonisation. The scale of the challenge is striking. Today, more than 800 GW of renewable projects are waiting for grid connection across Europe, a figure that is several times higher than annual installed capacity and highlights a structural issue: grid expansion is not keeping pace with generation growth. The investment gap is significant. To meet climate targets, grid investment will need to reach €584 billion by 2030, nearly double the current pace. Timing is also a critical factor. While renewable projects can typically be built in 1–3 years, new grid infrastructure often takes 5–10 years, creating a mismatch that delays the integration of new capacity. This bottleneck has direct consequences. Without sufficient grid capacity, not only is renewable deployment delayed, but the electrification of key sectors such as industry and transport is also constrained. The report also highlights a planning challenge. Much of today’s grid was designed for a centralised system, whereas the emerging energy model is more distributed, digital and variable, requiring a fundamental transformation of infrastructure. At the same time, pressure on energy security is increasing. Without a robust and flexible grid, Europe risks being unable to manage renewable variability effectively or guarantee supply during critical periods. The conclusion is clear: the energy transition challenge is no longer just about generating clean power, but about transporting and managing it efficiently. With hundreds of gigawatts awaiting connection and investment needs approaching €600 billion, the power grid is becoming the key factor that will ultimately determine the pace of Europe’s energy transition.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘀𝘆𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗱-𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀   On 30 September 2025, Transgrid announced a tender for about 1 GW of grid-forming battery (GFM BESS) system-strength services – the first step towards 5 GW.  The design is simple but transformative: 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗮𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆-𝗻𝗲𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. Here’s why and how Australia is changing gears.   𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁  - 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 – High-renewables grids now lack “system-forming strength + flexibility”, not more spinning steel.  - 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶-𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘀 – GFM BESS delivers strength while earning from arbitrage, frequency regulation and congestion relief, cutting total cost.  - 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 – Placed at Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) and bottlenecks to lift connection capacity directly.  - 𝗦𝗼𝗳𝘁𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 – Firmware updates enable droop control, black-start and fault-ride-through to match new standards.   𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀  - 𝗙𝗮𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘀 – GFM current limits demand adaptive protection coordination.  - 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 – Model alignment, parameter tuning and hold-point testing across scenarios.  - 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 & 𝗽𝗮𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 – Defining verifiable “system-strength capability” and enforceable performance terms.  - 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 – Weak-grid voltage control and relay integration.  - 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗻 – Long-lead parts, EPC interfaces and controller updates.   𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗮𝗽  - 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁 (1–3 yrs) – Hybrid mix: renewables + condensers + GFM BESS. Condensers anchor VAR and faults; GFM builds stability.  - 𝗠𝗶𝗱 (3–7 yrs) – GFM-led fleet with condensers at critical nodes. Mature the “standard – testing – payment” loop.  - 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴 (>7 yrs) – GFM + digital protection replace most new condensers, keeping rotating back-up only where needed.   This is not about “opposing condensers” but “buying the right capability”. As the grid’s challenge shifts from “generating power” to “ensuring stability and usability”, assets must evolve from single-function to programmable multi-capability.   ✅ 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆  Australia’s system-strength strategy is entering a phase where GFM BESS complement synchronous machines – with payments finally reflecting true grid value.    🤔 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻  Which barrier is most critical for large-scale GFM BESS rollout – testing, fault-levels, or performance verification?   #TechToValue #GridForming #BESS

🍀 Looking for a job in sustainability? Here are some tips and resources to help you find and land that role. 🍀 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐉𝐨𝐛 🌱Sustainability jobs aren't always clearly labeled as such so you may have to dig deeper into the lingo. Turn on LinkedIn job alerts with keywords like sustainability, climate, responsible, renewable energy, ESG, impact, clean infrastructure, water stewardship, carbon, circularity, zero waste, etc. Be sure to tailor to your area(s) of interest and/or expertise. 🌱Follow folks who regularly post sustainability job round ups. Some are recruiters and some are people who like to spread the good word. Good ones include: Steve Taylor, Ed Carley, Shannon Houde, MBA, PCC, Radhika Bhatt, Alisha Michaels, Rafael Achondo, Justin Daugherty, Afton Thompson, Danielle Aberg, Allison Rogers. Good recruitment firms include Brightsmith, Climate17 | B Corp™, Storm4, Piper Maddox, Dylan Green, Acre, Weinreb Group Sustainability Recruiting, and EnergeiaWorks. Know of others? Tag them in the comments! 𝐆𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐉𝐨𝐛 🌱A lot of folks ask me how they can get into sustainability without direct experience. Here is what I advise them to do: (1) focus on transferable skills (2) dive deep and learn all you can about sustainability (3) be clear on your why. These actions will help hiring managers see how you can deliver for their programs, and show why you care about this subject and are a good fit. Tailor your resume to each role to help them see more clearly why they should hire you! 🌱"Do I need a certificate?" I love learning and education, but I am not big on certifications. Sure they could help and potentially intro you to alum networks, but it really isn't necessary. They can be expensive and if you are strapped for cash (in this economy!), they likely won't move the needle enough to warrant the expense. If you are looking for a more formal education, programs like Clean Energy Leadership Institute and USGBC - LEED Green Associate (GA) and LEED AP are good options. Trellis Group has a thorough list on their website (link in comments) 🌱Find your voice. I love writing about sustainability, why I care about it, and how I got to where I am in my career journey. LinkedIn is a fantastic platform to showcase your unique insights and background, so just start posting! Just be sure to use your own authentic voice and don't rely on AI to generate content. AI has exceptional uses but hiring managers don't want read something regurgitated from a chatbot; they want to hear from YOU - their potential team member. 🔋What has helped you level up and land sustainability roles? 🔋 #sustainability #sustainabilityjobs #greenjobs #hiring #jobsearch #jobhunting #career #careeradvice #careertips #linkedintips

Hotspot when Navigating the Energy Transition ! Where is the value in " co-optimizing gas and electricity network planning for decarbonization"??? As energy networks utilities navigate the climate change mitigation policies, Energy system modelers and planners must develop strategies for achieving cost-effective Coordinated planning for electricity and natural gas systems investments that address cross –sector operational constraints, competing demands for net-zero emissions fuels, and shifts in energy consumption patterns. In this context, and In order to rapidly integrate substantial productions from renewable energy sources like - renewable gases and renewable electricity sources- to meet those challenge, it is imperative for electricity and gas network utilities to co-optimize the planning and delivery of network infrastructure, ensuring predictability for customers as they navigate the complex transition to a sustainable energy future. Some Key Components of such effective co-optimization should cover: 1. Effective regulatory frameworks to afford market integration which is vital to create an attractive environment for effective investments. Transparent policies will facilitate the integration of renewable sources while ensuring reliability and affordability for consumers. 2. crucial and pivotal roles of "elec., gas" Transmission System Operators (TSOs) and Distribution System Operators (DSOs) must be coherent and aligned to collaboratively enhance capacity management. This synergy will optimize the flow of energy, accommodate fluctuating renewable generation, and maintain both grids dispatchability and stability. 3. increasing the renewable energy production capacity, makes managing this influx is crucial. therefore, Strategic co-optimized modeling and planning of both energy grids will ensure stable handling of peak loads and diverse energy sources without compromising service reliability. 4. Tariff Structures: Evolving inclusive tariff structures will play a significant role in incentivizing investments in both gas and electricity networks. Fair pricing mechanisms are essential to stimulate growth while promoting sustainable energy practices. 5. Investment Planning: Coordinated investment planning across gas and electricity sectors is critical. Prioritizing infrastructure projects that enhance integration and resilience will pave the way for a more robust energy affordability. 6. The Role of Hydrogen and Power-to-X (PTX): Hydrogen and PTX technologies represent a promising avenue for energy transition by leveraging adoption of such solutions to store excess renewable energy and provide flexibility to energy systems, as well as effectively contribute to decarbonization efforts. Indeed …co-optimizing gas and electricity network infrastructure is a critical and strategic job! #EnergyTransition #Decarbonization  #RenewableEnergy #Hydrogen #MarketRegulation #CapacityManagement #InvestmentPlanning

Energy access is essential. So is digital inclusion. And their real impact comes when we stop treating them as separate challenges... I’m proud to share our new piece in BusinessDay — “Powering Africa’s Twin Transitions” — co-authored with GOGLA CEO Sarah Malm. For years, I’ve been advocating a simple but often overlooked truth: you can’t deliver meaningful digital inclusion without reliable energy, and energy access itself becomes far more transformative when coupled with digital connectivity. These two transitions amplify each other, and when they move in tandem, they create opportunity at scale. For over a decade, whether it's through the birth and take-off of pay-as-you-go solar home systems, ABC models for mini-grids or smart metering, I have seen firsthand how power + connectivity change lives. This is why we’ve championed this intersection for so long at GSMA - Mobile for Development and why I’ll keep pushing for it way beyond my tenure at GSMA. The win transition - in Africa and beyond - is not just necessary: it represents one of the continent’s clearest development accelerators. Thanks to Sarah and the GOGLA team for our longstanding partnership, and to GSMA M4D's Digital Utilities for 15+ years of advocacy on the topic. Read the full article 👇

For most of the last century, generators stabilised the grid as a by-product of producing energy. Today, we are building assets that stabilise the grid without producing energy at all. That shift identifies the binding constraint. Electricity system transition is no longer constrained by renewable resource availability. It is constrained by deliverability and operability. In inverter-dominated systems under rapid load growth, the binding constraints are: - transmission and major substation capacity - system strength, fault levels, frequency and voltage control - connection and commissioning throughput - secure operation under worst-day conditions - execution pace across networks and system services Generation capacity remains necessary. On its own, it no longer delivers firm supply or supports large new loads. Historically, synchronous generators supplied energy and stability together. Inertia, fault current, voltage support, and controllability were implicit. As synchronous plant retires, these services must be provided explicitly. Stability shifts from physics-led to control-led. System behaviour becomes more sensitive to modelling accuracy, protection coordination, control settings, and real-time visibility. Curtailment is not excess energy. It is a deliverability or security constraint. When transmission and substations lag generation, congestion and curtailment rise. Independent analysis shows that delay increases prices and emissions by extending reliance on higher-cost thermal generation. Distribution networks are no longer passive. They now host distributed generation, storage, EV charging, and large loads at the edge of transmission. Voltage control, protection coordination, hosting capacity, and connection throughput now constrain both decarbonisation and industrial growth. Firming is a hard requirement. Batteries provide fast frequency response and contingency arrest. They do not provide multi-day energy and do not replace networks or system strength in weak grids. Demand response reduces peaks. It cannot be relied upon for system-wide security under stress. Execution speed is critical. Slow delivery increases congestion duration, curtailment exposure, reserve requirements, and reliance on ageing plant. These effects flow directly into costs, emissions, and reliability. This is why electricity bills can rise even when average wholesale prices fall. Costs are driven by peak demand, contingencies, and security, not average energy. Large digital and industrial loads are transmission-scale, continuous, and failure-intolerant. They increase contingency size and correlation risk. At that scale, loads do not connect to the grid, they shape it. Supporting growth requires time-to-power, transmission and substation capacity in load corridors, explicit system strength and fault levels, operable firming under worst-day conditions, scalable connection and commissioning, and early procurement of long lead time HV equipment. #energy

1.7 million new jobs in India’s renewable energy sector by 2027, but here’s the catch: only 450,000 of the existing tech talent is employable🚨😎 Looks like we have a massive skills gap on our hands! I’ve been reflecting on this as someone who’s navigated the sustainability space for over a decade and launched All Bits Count to make climate action easier and more accessible🌍 While it’s inspiring to see the renewable energy sector booming, the challenge lies in getting more professionals—both early and seasoned—to reskill and step into these roles. 💼 When I started my journey in sustainability, I had to constantly pivot and adapt to the ever-changing landscape of green skills. It wasn’t always easy, but here’s the thing: the demand for these skills is only going to keep growing, and the earlier we start, the better. 🌱🔋 Here are 3 simple ways to start today: 1️⃣ Think beyond traditional learning. No need to enrol in full-time degrees. Short courses on LinkedIn for Learning, Udemy, Coursera, Terra.do in renewable energy, carbon footprint analysis, or sustainable finance can give you an edge. 2️⃣ Use what you’ve got. Already in marketing, tech, or project management? These skills are highly transferable to the green sector. You don’t need to start from scratch—just pivot. 3️⃣ Network in the green space. Join sustainability communities like Women and Climate, Creatives for Climate Collective, Clean Creatives, and Work on Climate. Attend green energy events, and follow companies/ individuals making waves. Surrounding yourself with like-minded people opens doors. Let’s be real—this shift is happening with or without us. The difference will be made by those willing to reskill, adapt, and embrace the future. Agree? 🔖 Drop your thoughts or questions in the comments, and remember—All Bits Count (especially yours). 🔗 The Economic Times coverage: https://lnkd.in/gHWm_w6j #GreenSkills #CareerGrowth #India #Sustainability #FutureOfWork

If we are looking for the genesis of the UK’s high #electricity costs at the socket, I think it can be found in the image below. A 2015 letter from the then Energy Minister to Ofgem is a serious underestimation of the requirement to invest in the #grid ahead of new build #electricity generation from distributed #renewables. It explicitly acknowledged that the ‘Connect and Manage’ regime designed to accelerate #renewable connections risked higher constraint costs if #grid reinforcement lagged behind generation build-out. Fast forward to today, and constraint management has ballooned from a theoretical risk into a multi-billion-pound annual cost borne by consumers. Curtailing low-cost #renewables in constrained regions while running higher-cost #gas peakers close to southern loads is now a structural feature of the system, not a temporary blip. The UK rightly prioritised rapid #decarbonisation of #power generation, but failed to move transmission reinforcement at the same pace. The 2015 correspondence shows this risk was understood at the time, yet #grid investment, planning reform and anticipatory build consistently lagged behind policy ambition. In effect, we traded: ⚡️Faster connections in the short term for ⚡️Rising congestion, curtailment and balancing costs in the long term A more coordinated approach aligning #netzero targets, network planning and regulatory incentives would almost certainly have reduced today’s scale of constraint and imbalance costs. The lesson is clear - you can’t #decarbonise at speed using a #grid designed for an era of centralised, unabated #fossilfuel generation. The problem isn’t #renewables; it’s poor sequencing and the absence of a whole-system approach.

Last week 100,000 home batteries operated like a mid-sized power plant. On July 29, California aggregated more than 100,000 residential batteries and discharged them for two hours during the evening peak. The result: 535 MW of coordinated output, comparable to a gas peaker plant, but distributed across rooftops instead of built on a single plot of land. These were some of the most promising outcomes: Truly additive output: The batteries weren’t just doing what they normally do. Compared to the prior day’s profile, almost all 535 MW was additional discharge triggered by the event, which is clear evidence this was coordinated grid support, not incidental customer behavior. Stable performance: Telemetry showed steady power delivery for the full two-hour window with no noticeable drop-off. That’s the level of reliability grid planners typically expect from conventional plants. Well-timed to system stress: The event aligned with CAISO’s net peak (that’s California’s grid operator, balancing demand minus wind and solar). Hitting that window matters because this is when power is most scarce and expensive, and when the “duck curve” ramps hardest. Visible grid impact: Net load dropped measurably during the dispatch, demonstrating that thousands of small batteries can move the needle at the system level. Program design matters: Nearly 90% of participants were enrolled in California’s Demand-Side Grid Support program, with others in the Emergency Load Reduction Program. Incentive structures like these are what make broad participation possible across multiple aggregators and OEMs. The takeaway is bigger than one test: virtual power plants are crossing the line from pilot to planning-grade resource. If properly integrated—through refined dispatch algorithms, better coordination with CAISO, and markets that actually value flexibility—they can defer costly peaker plants, absorb excess solar, and flatten the evening ramp without the stranded costs of centralized infrastructure. The technology is ready. The economics pencil out. The question now is whether market design will catch up. ---- Read the full report from The Brattle Group here: https://lnkd.in/gwYbFiPz