As electricity demand accelerates driven by AI, data centers, electrification, and economic growth, battery storage is moving from a niche technology to critical infrastructure. In this episode, Tim sits down with Jeff Monday, Chief Growth Officer at Fluence Energy, to explore why energy storage is becoming one of the most important tools for building a more reliable, affordable, and flexible grid. Drawing on his unique background leading growth at Apple and Qualcomm before entering the energy industry, Jeff shares an outsider's perspective on one of the fastest-changing sectors in the world. Hosts Tim and Sara also have some fun with battery trivia, explore the surprising history of energy storage, and discuss whether the famous "duck curve" could someday become a "snake curve" as utilities learn to better orchestrate distributed energy resources. -- Hosts: Tim Stafford & Sara Tupac Topic: What role will battery storage play in meeting the explosive growth in electricity demand while balancing reliability, affordability, and sustainability? Overview: Battery storage is no longer just a backup power source. It is becoming an active grid asset capable of responding in milliseconds, supporting renewable integration, reducing peak demand, improving resilience, and helping power the AI revolution. As utilities, policymakers, and technology companies race to meet unprecedented energy needs, storage is emerging as a critical piece of the future energy ecosystem. Highlights: Why AI and data center growth are creating a new energy race How battery storage supports reliability, affordability, and grid flexibility Why flexibility, not just more generation, may be the key to the future grid How utilities are evolving from operators to orchestrators of distributed energy resources The impact of battery technology, supply chains, and domestic manufacturing on energy security Lessons from global energy markets, including Australia, Europe, and the United States What policymakers should understand about storage as critical infrastructure Featuring insights from Fluence Chief Growth Officer Jeff Monday, this conversation explores how batteries are reshaping the future of power and why the next chapter of the energy transition may depend as much on flexibility as generation.
