Revenue sharing of energy storage projects

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”).

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.

Can you finance a solar energy storage project?

Since the majority of solar projects currently under construction include a storage system, lenders in the project finance markets are willing to finance the construction and cashflows of an energy storage project. However, there are certain additional considerations in structuring a project finance transaction for an energy storage project.

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.

Can energy storage projects sell ancillary services?

In many regions, energy storage projects may be able to sell “ancillary services” in addition to energy or capacity either to transmission owners or to regional grid operators. For example, Swinerton’s Mira Loma, California, energy storage project.

What is a battery energy storage project?

A battery energy storage project is a system that serves a variety of purposes for utilities and other consumers of electricity, including backup power, frequency regulation, and balancing electricity supply with demand.