Working for the Energy Transition

Ensights Consulting works with organisations to electrify the energy system using renewable and flexible energy.

Welcome to Ensights Consulting

Navigating today’s rapidly transforming energy landscape calls for specialized energy insights. Ensights Consulting, a freelance consulting company led by Charlie Stewart, partners with organizations in the electricity sector to help them succeed amid the shift toward a renewables-based energy system supported by energy storage and flexibility solutions. With extensive experience spanning renewable and flexible energy, energy project valuation, electricity trading, and energy research, Ensights Consulting provides strategic expertise to support organizations in making impactful strides in the energy transition.

Charlie Stewart brings a deep understanding of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and flexible energy market strategies, which are essential to advancing the energy transition. With significant, hands-on experience, Ensights Consulting guides organizations in optimizing strategies within the energy transition —unlocking new opportunities in a rapidly evolving energy market.

Our Services

Energy Flexibility and BESS Advisory

BESS Project Management

Electricity Market Strategy

Financial Valuation and Energy Market Analysis

Our projects and case studies

  • Largest Dutch BESS: GIGA Buffalo Project

    Enerco Energy Trade

    Collaborating with Eneco Energy Trade and their partner GIGA Storage, we played a key role in facilitating the technical integration, trading, and optimization of the GIGA Buffalo 25 MW | 48 MWh battery system located in Lelystad, Netherlands. Notably, this project marked a significant milestone as it represented the largest battery installation in the Netherlands at that time. Furthermore, it achieved the distinction of being the first energy storage asset to be pre-qualified in the Dutch aFRR market.

  • Kiwi Homes VPP: solarZero Initiative

    solarZero

    solarZero deloyed a vast fleet of 15,000 solar and battery systems in New Zealand households. This initiative aimed to evaluate the potential of aggregating this fleet into a Virtual Power Plant (VPP), participating in FIR and SIR ancillary service markets. Collaboratively, we developed trading analytics to assess available capacity and its market value, enabling strategic bids in the New Zealand Electricity Market's FIR and SIR ancillary service sectors. solarZero was fully acquired by Blackrock Real Assets.

  • Lelystad's Geothermal District Heating Expansion

    Vattenfall

    Vattenfall manages the district heating network in Lelystad, serving over 6000 residents. This initiative aimed to diversify heat sources to geothermal. We assisted in the project's business case management, closely collaborating with technical engineering and project development teams to determine the financial valuation of the geothermal expansion. The successful integration ensures a sustainable and locally-sourced energy supply for the city.

  • BESS Valuation: Co-location with Solar Projects in New Zealand

    Helios Energy

    Helios Energy boasts a development pipeline exceeding 1GW of solar PV across New Zealand. In collaboration with Helios, we assess the strategic integration of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) at diverse locations. This involves crafting the business case and financial valuation for co-located BESS, supporting the evolution of Helios from a solar-only focus to a comprehensive solar and battery developer in New Zealand.

See all projects

  • "The task assigned to Charlie was complex and I asked Charlie "to turn spaghetti into lasagna" which he managed to do in an excellent way: reliable, with high quality and bringing the business case to the next level.”

    Jeffrey Haspels - Project Manager - Vattenfall

  • "Charlie is one of those people who serves as an example to others. With his combination of analytical skills, understanding of the market and empathy he has brought many of our projects to a successful completion.”

    Joris Van Leeuwen - Founder - Krachtwerk

  • "Charlie’s expertise in the electricity industry and keen eye for innovation has helped solarZero not only navigate but flourish within New Zealand’s challenging electricity industry.”

    Andy Booth - Founder and CEO - solarZero

  • “Charlie’s knowledge of energy systems, financial acumen and project management skills were highly valued by both ourselves and our shareholder ENGIE”

    Jan Slaghekke - CEO - Sungevity International