In this article, we discuss the nature of revenue in a (standalone) BESS project, how electricity storage providers “stack” these revenues and we briefly introduce the contractual structures that are used in connection with the route to market for BESS projects (which we will cover in greater detail in our next article).
How do battery storage systems make money?
Several sources of revenue are available for battery storage systems that can be stacked to further increase revenue. Typically, price arbitrage is used to gain revenue from battery storage. However, additional revenue can be gained from participation in ancillary services such as frequency response.
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 a battery energy storage system?
Battery energy storage systems (BESS) can provide additional flexibility to the grid and help balance supply and demand of electricity as renewables penetration accelerates. BESS can stack revenue streams offering arbitrage, capacity and ancillary services under various schemes.
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.
Frequency response participation increased revenue and reduced total operating cost. Stacking frequency response reduced degradation, increasing battery lifetime. Several sources of revenue are available for battery storage systems that can be stacked to further increase revenue.
Stacking frequency response reduced degradation, increasing battery lifetime. Several sources of revenue are available for battery storage systems that can be stacked to further increase revenue. Typically, price arbitrage is used to gain revenue from battery storage.