Analysis of the real profit of low-price energy storage

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.

What is the difference between economics and storage profitability?

Economics indicates electricity generation costs; storage profitability denotes storage arbitrage profits from the markets; sustainability reflects carbon emission; market volatility mitigation measures the standard deviation of real-time electricity prices for consumers.

Can market designs affect the contribution of energy storage to electricity economics?

This study aims to evaluate how market designs can affect the contribution of energy storage to electricity economics and decarbonization, from early to deep decarbonization stages. The proposed open-source framework can be used by researchers and policymakers to assess emerging technologies and policy incentives.

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.

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”).

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.