As global energy markets face renewed volatility – from geopolitical flashpoints to supply disruptions – a key question is back in focus: how do we deliver energy security when fossil-fuel supply is no longer guaranteed?
In this episode, we explore how flexibility – powered by EVs and batteries – is emerging as a frontline solution to energy security challenges.
First, Gautham Ram (TU Delft) changes the narrative on EVs as a grid liability. Instead, he outlines how millions of electric vehicles could act as a vast, distributed storage network, effectively turning transport into a strategic energy asset.
From smart charging to V2G, we explore how intelligent coordination – and not just new infrastructure – can ease grid congestion, absorb renewable generation, and reduce reliance on imported fuels. We also unpack the use cases driving AC vs. DC charging, bidirectional technology, and battery lifetimes – and why scaling these solutions will depend on standards, interoperability, and consumer confidence.
Then, live from the Battery & Business Development Forum 2026 in Frankfurt, Ruben Valiente of Maxxen Energy shares a ground-level view of Europe’s rapidly expanding battery storage market.
His message is timely: while battery cells remain dominated by global supply chains, Europe’s strength lies in system integration, local engineering, and getting projects deployed rapidly. As markets grapple with uncertainty, new approaches like vendor-backed financing are helping to de-risk investments and accelerate deployment, which is absolutely critical in these moments when resilience is thrown into question.
With EV fleets increasingly acting as mobile energy reserves and utility-scale batteries stabilizing grids, this episode connects the dots across a rapidly evolving storage landscape and shows how, in an era of disruption, flexibility may be the ultimate hedge against energy insecurity.
About The smarter E Podcast
The smarter E podcast is all about the current trends and developments in a renewable, decentralized and digital energy industry. Our host welcomes and interviews personalities who shape our industry and drive developments forward. A new episode is published bi-weekly on Thursdays.
Gautham Ram Chandra Mouli is an Associate Professor in the DC systems, Energy conversion and Storage group in the Department of Electrical Sustainable Energy at the Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands.
He received his PhD from Delft University in 2018 for the development of a solar-powered V2G electric vehicle charger, which received the ‘Most significant innovation in electric vehicles’ award from IDtechEx in 2018 and the ‘Best Tech Idea of 2018’ by KIJK. His current research focuses on EV batteries, EV charging and vehicle-to-grid V2G, and grid integration of EVs.
Ruben Valiente is the Managing Director of Maxxen, a leading European player in the energy storage sector. With more than 25 years of international experience in the energy transition industry, he has held senior roles in global multinationals including GE and ABB, as well as founding several energy start-ups.
An engineer graduating cum laude and an MBA holder from IESE Business School, Ruben combines deep technical expertise with strong commercial, strategic, and operational leadership. His experience spans the full energy value chain, including project development and finance, EPC and O&M, R&D, product innovation, and manufacturing.