Connect into

Energy Security & the Case for LDES with Julia Souder

Julia Souder, CEO of the Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) Council and Vice Chair of the Global Renewables Alliance, joins Andre Shortell fresh from Davos to discuss why long-duration energy storage is becoming essential infrastructure. With 3,000 GW of renewables stuck in grid queues, the flexibility gap is real. Julia makes the case that LDES is no longer years away - it's deployed, investable, and ready to scale. In this episode: * Davos 2026 and how energy security dominated conversations * The grid bottleneck and why LDES is "like an insurance policy" * Data centers and hyperscalers driving demand for round-the-clock power * The shift from venture-backed pilots to bankable infrastructure * Key projects scaling now across thermal, electrochemical, and mechanical storage Links:LDES Council - ldescouncil.comLDES Bankability Report - ldescouncil.com/new-ldes-bankability-report-out-nowPantokrator - pantokratorltd.com

Reimagining the Distribution Grid with Alberto Méndez from Plexigrid

In this episode of Connect Into, Pantokrator’s Andre Shortell and Louis Barrowcliff speak with Alberto Méndez, CEO of Plexigrid, about how distribution grids are being digitally reinvented to support the energy transition. Alberto shares how Plexigrid’s software platform helps grid operators unlock visibility at the low-voltage level, optimise planning through advanced analytics, and actively manage flexibility - turning distribution networks into dynamic, intelligent systems. Listen to hear them explore the limitations of traditional grid design, the growing challenge of integrating distributed energy resources (DERs), and how digital twins and real-time data can unlock capacity without costly infrastructure upgrades. Topics include: Why electrification is pushing distribution grids beyond their original design How Plexigrid’s digital twin provides predictive, real-time control for DSOs Enabling visibility and optimisation at the grid edge - from EVs to rooftop solar The role of analytics in managing bottlenecks, voltage violations, and reverse flows How DSOs can double capacity using software instead of new wires What regulation and market design need to catch up on With projects across Europe and a focus on low-voltage innovation, Plexigrid is building the digital foundation for a more flexible, resilient, and sustainable grid. Thanks again, Alberto!

Scaling Long Duration Storage with James Larsen from e-Zinc

In this episode of Connect Into, Pantokrator’s Andre Shortell and Alex Moody speak with James Larsen, CEO of e-Zinc, about building a new category of long duration energy storage focused on resilience, affordability, and sustainability. James shares how e-Zinc’s zinc-based technology was born from an electrochemistry breakthrough—and why zinc’s low cost, safety profile, and supply chain stability make it an ideal material for 24-hour+ applications. The conversation unpacks how e-Zinc is replacing diesel generators with non-flammable storage systems, decoupling power and energy to drive down cost, and scaling through a combination of deep partnerships and strategic manufacturing. We also discuss: * e-Zinc’s collaboration with Toyota and the impact of applying the Toyota Production System * How decoupling power and energy unlocks longer durations * The company’s pilot deployments with the California Energy Commission and Toyota Tsusho * Why the behind-the-meter market is an ideal starting point for long duration * Investor interest in resilience as a service—and what’s needed to scale globally With zinc as its foundation and a clear go-to-market strategy, e-Zinc is aiming to become a storage incumbent for the next phase of the energy transition. Thanks again, James!

Unlocking Grid Flexibility with Juergen Mayerhofer from enspired

In this episode of Connect Into, Pantokrator’s Andre Shortell and Louis Barrowcliff speak with Juergen Mayerhofer, CEO and co-founder of enspired, about how the company is using automation and AI to transform short-term power markets and unlock grid flexibility. They discuss enspired’s journey from early trading automation for utilities to building a platform that optimises grid-scale batteries in real time. Juergen explains how their technology stack enables millisecond-level trading decisions, the role of forecasting and AI in managing assets across different markets, and the challenges of expanding into new geographies with varying market rules. We also explore: * The growing demand for flexibility as renewables and EV charging reshape the grid * How enspired helps asset owners maximise returns and attract investment into storage * The importance of local partnerships for international scaling * Building trust through real-time dashboards and certified trading results * Policy signals, grid connection bottlenecks, and the role of investor education in the energy transition With operations in eight markets and a technology-first approach, enspired is helping build the intelligence layer needed for a more flexible, decarbonised grid. Thanks again, Juergen!

Scaling Industrial Heat Decarbonisation with Valerie Dejaeghere from Qpinch

In this episode, Pantokrator’s Andre Shortell and Victor Ghitescu speak with Valerie Dejaeghere, CEO of Qpinch, about how the company’s patented chemical heat transformer is helping industrial sectors decarbonise heat at scale. They explore how Qpinch’s technology uses a closed-loop phosphoric acid process to convert low-grade waste heat into valuable process heat with minimal electricity, enabling payback periods as short as three years. Valerie explains why this solution is especially suited to refining, petrochemicals, and carbon capture, and how partnering with Honeywell is accelerating scale and standardisation. We also discuss: • The role of industrial heat in global emissions, and why it’s often overlooked • How Qpinch’s system achieves temperatures up to 210°C with very low OPEX • The move toward service models to remove CapEx barriers for customers • The challenges of scaling first-of-a-kind technology in conservative industries • The importance of energy security and reducing reliance on gas in Europe With its first 5 MW projects in development, Qpinch is positioning itself as a key enabler of industrial decarbonisation.