Member Article

National Grid heavyweight joins Anesco

A former National Grid technical strategist has joined Anesco as the company prepares to capitalise on the global appetite for battery storage.

Mike Ryan has been appointed as director of asset management at the Reading-based company, which has an operational battery storage portfolio on track to exceed 380MW by 2020, and over 100 solar farms under its belt.

He will be working closely with the senior team on an aggressive growth strategy that addresses the central role storage is set to play in energy networks of the future.

According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF), global storage capacity will increase to a cumulative 942GW by 2040, attracting $620 billion in investment.

Mike was responsible for operability strategy at National Grid’s System Operator, using the Future Energy Scenarios to plan how to keep GB’s electricity system secure and operable in the coming decades. For the three years prior to this, he headed up National Grid’s electricity trading team, utilising corporate agreements to ensure a safe supply was delivered to end customers at the lowest possible cost.

In his new role at Anesco, Mike will be modelling future opportunities and ways to drive greater value from storage assets. He will be turning the physical requirement for storage into revenue, at the pace needed to meet a large acceleration of demand.

Steve Shine, Anesco executive chairman, said: “Mike is a fantastic addition to the team and his knowledge and experience will be invaluable as we embark on the next stage in our development. What we’ve proven time and again is that we’re not afraid to be pioneers of industry, driving forward the renewables agenda and looking to the future, to find innovative ways for our customers to capitalise on every opportunity presented.”

Mike Ryan, director of asset management, Anesco, commented: “It’s clear from all the Future Energy Scenarios that there’s going to be an increase in renewable generation. To enable that to happen, there needs to be a corresponding increase in the deployment of energy storage. It’s a common element across all scenarios – the use of storage. So, the question now is how to make that happen.

“I’m delighted to join Anesco, as the company is at the forefront of the storage sector and remains a driving force in the advancement of renewables in the UK. The team has a vision to change the UK energy environment for the better, and I’m excited to be part of that.”

He added: “It’s a great time for the industry right now and I believe there are lots of opportunities for forward thinking businesses such as Anesco, and their customers.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Anesco Limited .