Is energy storage a profitable business model?

Although academic analysis finds that business models for energy storage are largely unprofitable, annual deployment of storage capacity is globally on the rise (IEA, 2020). One reason may be generous subsidy support and non-financial drivers like a first-mover advantage (Wood Mackenzie, 2019).

Can software tools be used for valuing energy storage?

Taking advantages of the knowledge established in the academic literature and the expertise from the field, there are efforts from multiple parties (e.g., national laboratories, utilities, and system integrators) in developing software tools that can be used for valuing energy storage.

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 are DOE energy storage valuation tools?

The DOE energy storage valuation tools are valuable for industry, regulators, and other stakeholders to model, optimize, and evaluate different ESSs in a variety of use cases. There are numerous similarities and differences among these tools.

How can energy storage be profitable?

Where a profitable application of energy storage requires saving of costs or deferral of investments, direct mechanisms, such as subsidies and rebates, will be effective. For applications dependent on price arbitrage, the existence and access to variable market prices are essential.

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.