This week, we speak with Laura Hoffmann-Ostenhof, Central Europe Lead at Gridcog, about why many clean energy and decarbonisation projects succeed or fail long before anything is built.

We unpack the often hidden challenges behind modern energy projects — from limited grid capacity and changing energy prices to complex market rules — and why relying on simple assumptions can quickly undermine the business case.

Laura explains why energy flexibility behind-the-meter, such as batteries and EV charging, is becoming increasingly important in markets like Germany and the UK to reduce pressure on the grid and control costs. We also discuss how better modelling leads to better decisions, why flexibility matters just as much as new renewables, and what organisations can do today to make more confident, future-ready energy choices as the transition accelerates.