In today’s episode, we were joined by Mike Malguarnera, previously Director of Market & Transmission Analytics at BW Solar, for a fascinating conversation on why the grid is often far messier, riskier, and more nuanced than it looks from the outside.

With experience spanning utilities, cooperatives, power markets, FTRs, IRPs, interconnection, storage siting, and project development, Mike has seen how small assumptions can turn into very expensive mistakes. He brings a rare blend of market knowledge, transmission insight, and developer-side pragmatism.

We discuss:

• Whether the industry really needs more transmission - or better use of what already exists
• Why cheap interconnection does not always mean strong project economics
• How an $8m transformer upgrade changed the assumptions behind hundreds of millions in investment
• Why missed tariff deadlines can kill projects almost instantly
• The difference between interconnection modelling and economic modelling
• Why consultants are essential - but not always enough
• The case for having internal grid expertise earlier in the development process
• How land, queue risk, local opposition, and capital exposure all collide
• Why data centers could change the power dynamic between utilities and large-load customers
• Where Mike would place a bet in today’s market if money were no object

Books discussed on the show:

https://a.co/d/0awPgkvF

https://a.co/d/0awPgkvF

Featured on the show:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-malguarnera-p-e-a6705014/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlie-webb-a5605768/

In this episode of Transmission Impossible, I’m joined by Ramsey Ayass, SVP of Grid Strategy at SMT Energy, for a brilliant conversation on what’s really slowing projects down in today’s power market.

Hailing from a utility background, Ramsey's experience spans every angle of Grid Strategy and Interconnection. He's borne witness to all of the common pitfalls developers fall into - both generation and load - as well as the trends that separate successful projects from the pack.

We discuss:

• The industry assumption Ramsey thinks people get wrong
• Why some projects die before they ever really begin
• The overlooked step that can save developers years
• What separates strong grid strategy from wishful thinking
• Why ERCOT attracts both believers and sceptics
• What's really happening behind the sceners around large-load interconnection
• How developers can get caught out by “good-looking” sites
• Where Ramsey sees the next real opportunities emerging

Books discussed on the show:

https://a.co/d/06GBJlSW

https://a.co/d/0eS9c6lp

Featured on the show:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayass/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlie-webb-a5605768/