SMP 257: Why the Next Five Years Belong to Energy Storage?

Episode Notes In this episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, host Benoy Thanjan sits down with Jarand Rystad, Founder and CEO of Rystad Energy, one of the world’s leading energy intelligence and data advisory firms. Jarand explains why solar has dramatically outperformed historical forecasts, how rapid cost declines have reshaped global power markets, and why many regions are now facing a new challenge: too much solar at the wrong times. As grids become saturated with midday generation, energy storage has emerged as the critical missing link. The conversation explores why the next five years will belong to energy storage, how batteries enable higher renewable penetration, and what this shift means for pricing, grid stability, and project economics. Jarand also shares insights on powering the AI and data center boom, the evolving role of gas and nuclear, long-duration storage innovations, and why electrification is fundamentally transforming the global energy system. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to understand where the energy transition is headed, how markets are behaving beneath the headlines, and where the biggest opportunities will emerge over the next decade.   Biographies Benoy Thanjan Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy, solar developer and consulting firm, and a strategic advisor to multiple cleantech startups. Over his career, Benoy has developed over 100 MWs of solar projects across the U.S., helped launch the first residential solar tax equity funds at Tesla, and brokered $45 million in Renewable Energy Credits (“REC”) transactions. Prior to founding Reneu Energy, Benoy was the Environmental Commodities Trader in Tesla’s Project Finance Group, where he managed one of the largest environmental commodities portfolios. He originated REC trades and co-developed a monetization and hedging strategy with senior leadership to enter the East Coast market. As Vice President at Vanguard Energy Partners, Benoy crafted project finance solutions for commercial-scale solar portfolios. His role at Ridgewood Renewable Power, a private equity fund with 125 MWs of U.S. renewable assets, involved evaluating investment opportunities and maximizing returns. He also played a key role in the sale of the firm’s renewable portfolio. Earlier in his career, Benoy worked in Energy Structured Finance at Deloitte & Touche and Financial Advisory Services at Ernst & Young, following an internship on the trading floor at D.E. Shaw & Co., a multi billion dollar hedge fund. Benoy holds an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University and a BS in Finance and Economics from NYU Stern, where he was an Alumni Scholar.   Jarand Rystad  Jarand Rystad founded Rystad Energy in 2004 and has, since its inception, managed the company. Jarand has extensive experience in the energy strategy advisory business and his areas of expertise include energy system analysis, energy scenarios, renewables, supply chains, emissions, asset and company valuations and transactions, macro analysis, and all aspects of the energy transition. As an established thought leader in these and other fields, Jarand is a frequent keynote speaker at international conferences related to energy.  He is, according to the Financial Times, “one of the most cited petroleum analysts in the industry”. Prior to founding Rystad Energy, Jarand worked for McKinsey & Company. He holds an M.Sc. degree in Physics from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, where he majored with a thesis in asteroseismology. Jarand also has an academic background in philosophy and has been the leader and founder of various organizations. Stay Connected: Benoy Thanjan Email: [email protected]  LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com Website: https://www.solarmaverickpodcast.com/       Jarand Rystad      Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarand-rystad/     Email:  [email protected]     Website:  https://www.rystadenergy.com/     Rystad Energy’s Podcast:  https://www.rystadenergy.com/podcasts?s=         Please provide 5 star reviews      If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share the Solar Maverick Podcast so more people can learn how to accelerate the clean energy transition.    Reneu Energy Reneu Energy provides expert consulting across solar and storage project development, financing, energy strategy, and environmental commodities. Our team helps clients originate, structure, and execute opportunities in community solar, C&I, utility-scale, and renewable energy credit markets. Email us at [email protected] to learn more.