IONS by Peak Energy
Hosted by Peak Energy Co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer, Cam Dales, IONS will bring you energetic and informative conversations across a wide range of topics with industry thought leaders from the world of energy storage and renewable energy.
IONS by Peak Energy
From Fluence to the Future - A Conversation with Energy Storage Pioneer Dr. Marek Kubik
In this episode of the IONS podcast, host Cam Dales sits down with energy storage pioneer Marek Kubik to discuss the past, present, and future of the grid-scale energy storage industry. Drawing on over 16 years of experience, from the early commercial projects at AES to the scaling of Fluence, Marek provides a unique perspective on how storage has evolved from a niche grid-stabilization tool into a cornerstone of the global energy transition.
The episode explores several key themes:
The Middle East as a Renewable Frontier: Marek explains how Saudi Arabia is aggressively pursuing its Vision 2030 goals, aiming for 50% renewable energy by 2030. With record-low solar pricing and massive storage build-outs, the region is effectively becoming the "Saudi Arabia of renewables".
The Shift to Long-Duration Storage: The industry is moving away from short-duration frequency regulation toward 8-hour systems designed for full day-night solar firming. This shift is supported by Wright’s Law, which predicts a 20% to 30% cost reduction for every doubling of production volume.
Next-Generation Chemistries: While lithium-ion (LFP) remains dominant, Cam and Marek discuss the potential of sodium-ion batteries. Sodium-ion is highlighted for its performance in extreme climates, supply chain diversification, and the potential for a lower theoretical "cost floor" compared to lithium.
AI and Speed of Deployment: Marek notes that the rapid growth of AI infrastructure is driving an urgent demand for power. Solar-plus-storage is often the fastest and most cost-effective way to bring massive amounts of new capacity online for hyperscale data centers.
The episode concludes with a look at the "inevitable" transition toward a 100% renewable grid, driven by economic rationalism and continuous innovation in manufacturing.
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