> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://content.konfab.io/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # 🎙️EP07 - High Density Pumped Hydro + LDES - URL: https://content.konfab.io/ep07-high-density-pumped-hydro-ldes/ - Published: 2026-09-18T12:25:13.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-18T12:25:13.000Z - Description: A conversation with Stephen Crosher on energy storage, chocolate milk, hills versus mountains, IP moats and Canada. - Author: Kane Watkinson - Tags: Video Podcast, Climate Tech, Decarbonisation, Innovation, Investment, Policy, Startups, Clean Power 2030, Electrification, Energy Storage, Energy Security, Energy Investment, Energy Transition, Grid ### Introduction Here is EP07, with Stephen Crosher of [RheEnergise](https://www.rheenergise.com/?ref=content.konfab.io). Pumped Hydro Energy Storage, the bastion of the energy storage world. It's been around for 100 years or more, and it's the biggest and only system at scale globally. Trouble is, you need a mountain, and quite a lot of water, which means geography and therefore opportunity, can be challenging. What if you change the water into something like chocolate milk? > Instead of water, they use a mineral suspension that’s 2.5 times denser than water. That shift means they can get the same performance at 40% of the elevation, or make a project 60% smaller at the same elevation. Not mountains. Hills. Traditional pumped hydro in the UK is essentially constrained to about 20–25 viable sites. We have just a handful active or proposed / in build. With RheEnergise’s approach, that number jumps to around 6,500 sites. That’s the difference between a niche infrastructure asset and something that can be spread across the country. Close to wind, solar, industrial demand, grid bottlenecks and as a distributed energy resource in keeping with the decentralised regional strategies of the current Gov. --- ### Quick Shorts If you want to check out x6 quick 1-minute clips to see what it's all about before diving in, then head this way ⬇️ [🎙️EP07 - Short Clips - High-density Pumped Hydro + LDESShort Clips from my conversation with Stephen Crosher on high-density pumped hydro for medium and long-duration energy storage![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d6/84/d6846eb6-a40f-44ba-8892-5a57f3a2df2f/content/images/icon/Konfab-Green-lcon--60115c0d-39be-4df7-863b-cc561fbf835c.png)KonfabKane Watkinson![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d6/84/d6846eb6-a40f-44ba-8892-5a57f3a2df2f/content/images/thumbnail/Stephen-Crosher-Cover_2-b3c75b5a-9dfc-40c5-8817-bc0110440d63.png)](https://content.konfab.io/ep07-short-clips-thermal-energy-storage-decarbonising-heat/) --- ### Future Energy Storage Demand Stephen referenced the scale mismatch. NESO estimates the UK will need 11.5 to 15 GW of long-duration storage by 2035, and he thinks that may still be conservative because electricity demand is rising fast - data centres, EVs, electrification of heat, industrial loads. The grid is full of constraints, so the question becomes: > Whether you build perfect transmission or use distributed storage to move faster? --- ### Innovation & IP Innovation is at the heart of this. Once you change the fluid, every component has to change too - valves, pipes, pumps, turbo machinery, and system design There are great takeaways for founders here, the IP strategy is very interesting. They’re not just patenting the fluid, but the machinery, flow control, electrical setup, software, and overall project architecture. Building an IP moat builds protection and value for investors. --- Wrapping up, Stephen reflects on his experiences as a CEO in building a team, recruiting in Canada, and what comes next. Just hit play below and watch right here on the page! 🎬 🍿 Use the player controls to expand to full screen or adjust to your preferred video window size. ✅ Chapter summary for your guidance... ### Chapters 👋 00:00 Introduction 📕 05:47 Market Mechanisms and Government Support ⚖️ 11:51 Comparative Analysis of Energy Storage Solutions 🥛 18:03 Understanding the R19 Fluid Technology ✅ 33:26 Navigating Planning Permissions in the UK 👥 40:14 Supply Chain Dynamics in Energy Projects 🤝 46:35 Scaling Operations and Partnerships 💭 53:47 The State of the Energy Transition 💡 58:51 Reflections and Future Aspirations --- ### What's next? Up next in EP08, Georgia Ware, Founder of [HotGreen](https://www.hotgreensolutions.com/?ref=content.konfab.io), talking about their industrial high-temperature heat pump innovation for process heat. Stand by... [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d6/84/d6846eb6-a40f-44ba-8892-5a57f3a2df2f/content/images/2026/09/Hotgreen-Preview.png)](https://www.hotgreensolutions.com/?ref=content.konfab.io) Hope you enjoyed this one, on we go! Kane ---