Profit analysis of low-cost energy storage power stations

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.

How much will LCOE cost a second set of energy storage investments?

This could be a mistake though, because there is no more curtailed solar to charge the devices, which means that the LCOE for the second set of energy storage investments would be $0.04/kWh plus $0.06/kWh from charging with existing, dispatchable generators.

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 levelized cost of Storage (LCOS)?

Levelized cost of storage (LCOS) can be a simple, intuitive, and useful metric for determining whether a new energy storage plant would be profitable over its life cycle and to compare the cost of different energy storage technologies. However, researchers and industry decision makers still use conflicting definitions of LCOS.

Should energy storage be undervalued?

The revenue potential of energy storage is often undervalued. Investors could adjust their evaluation approach to get a true estimate—improving profitability and supporting sustainability goals.

How much does LCoS cost a battery startup?

These are also often the only subsystems that battery startups have cost data for. Only including storage block and power electronics costs in the calculation brings LCOS down from $0.251/kWh to $0.172/kWh This highlights the importance of clarity and specificity in the input parameters for producing repeatable results.