Why Today’s Grid Storage Business Models Are Subject to Change
Controlling and optimizing grid-tied and behind-the-meter batteries is already a complicated business. But it’s going to get a lot more complicated in the years to come, both for utility-facing storage integrators like S&C Electric Company, AES Energy Storage and NEC/A123, and for customer-facing behind-the-meter storage providers like Stem, Green Charge Networks or SolarCity and Tesla.
All are aimed at managing a similar set of imperatives: making sure that energy storage systems, individually and in aggregate, can earn their maximum return on investment over their effective lifespans. These money-making functions range in timescales from split-second frequency regulation to multi-hour load shifting, and in frequency of use from daily peak-shaving, to once-in-a-blue-moon emergency backup power.
