How to generate revenue from battery energy storage systems in Europe?

To generate revenue from battery energy storage systems in Europe, companies need to be strategic and take advantage of different markets and services. Capacity markets, for example, offer a stable source of income: payment is made for the provision of reserve capacity.

How do I evaluate potential revenue streams from energy storage assets?

Evaluating potential revenue streams from flexible assets, such as energy storage systems, is not simple. Investors need to consider the various value pools available to a storage asset, including wholesale, grid services, and capacity markets, as well as the inherent volatility of the prices of each (see sidebar, “Glossary”).

What is the source of revenue for many power projects?

For many power projects, a single power purchase agreement provides the source of all revenue for the project. Fixed-price contracts allow a project to generate a relatively predictable and stable amount of revenue, subject to the project meeting technical operating assumptions.

What is the 'value stack' in energy storage?

Owners of batteries, including storage facilities that are co-located with solar or wind projects, derive revenue under multiple contracts and generate multiple layers of revenue or 'value stack.' Developers then seek financing based on anticipated cash flows from all or a portion of the components of this value stack.

Do investors underestimate the value of energy storage?

While energy storage is already being deployed to support grids across major power markets, new McKinsey analysis suggests investors often underestimate the value of energy storage in their business cases.

Why do energy storage projects need project financing?

The rapid growth in the energy storage market is similarly driving demand for project financing. The general principles of project finance that apply to the financing of solar and wind projects also apply to energy storage projects.