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”).

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).

What is the cost analysis of energy storage?

We categorise the cost analysis of energy storage into two groups based on the methodology used: while one solely estimates the cost of storage components or systems, the other additionally considers the charging cost, such as the levelised cost approaches.

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.

Is a retrofitted energy storage system profitable for Energy Arbitrage?

Optimising the initial state of charge factor improves arbitrage profitability by 16 %. The retrofitting scheme is profitable when the peak-valley tariff gap is >114 USD/MWh. The retrofitted energy storage system is more cost-effective than batteries for energy arbitrage.

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.