5 Minutes With Eric

Next up in our 5 Minutes With series is Eric, one of our software engineers behind the tools that help battery operators get the most out of OptiBidder and manage the contracts powering their portfolios. 🔋

1. What’s your role at OptiGrid and what does a typical day look like for you?
I’m a software engineer at OptiGrid, most recently working on software around monitoring and APIs. A big part of my role is collaborating with the team to architect solutions that support the real problems OptiGrid is trying to solve, rather than getting in the way of them.

2. What do most people get wrong about operating batteries in the National Electricity Market?
Battery optimisation in the NEM is not really my wheelhouse as a software engineer, but I think there can be an oversimplification where people think that optimisation is just about charging batteries when prices are low and discharging when prices are high. From what I’ve seen, there is far more nuance involved, and the optimisation software needs to support that complexity rather than hide it.

3. How is OptiGrid different from other places that you’ve worked in?
OptiGrid has a really strong mix of domain expertise, energy-market knowledge, and engineering capability. What stands out is how clearly the software is about connecting those dots and producing real operational outcomes.

4. What are your thoughts about using AI as a software engineering?
AI has become a natural part of how I explore and develop software ideas, especially when prototyping or rapidly iterating on a concept. It can reduce the friction of getting development started. But it still depends on strong engineering judgment to validate the output and shape it into something reliable and maintainable.

5. What helps you to relax when you are not working?
I relax by stepping away from computer screens and doing things that help reset my attention. Getting some exercise, reading, or spending time with loved ones all help me switch off.