Anya Kussé
As a leading player in the energy market, we unburden companies in their energy policy and develop future-proof energy strategies. Our team of experts negotiates, manages and optimizes our customers' energy contracts in a continuous and transparent manner. Supported by AI-driven software, we provide insight into the current and future cost of each MWh. We integrate sustainability into our overall approach and work pragmatically and solution-oriented to support you in the energy transition. Together, we create the most ideal energy landscape for your business.
- PRESS RELEASE -
More and more companies are considering investing in a smart battery to optimize their power consumption. In itself, certainly a valuable component in a thoughtful energy strategy.
But only if you know how to factor in the right factors, warns Chris Elbers, CEO of energy accounting specialist Odot. And that's no small task."For example, not every battery is capable of optimal performance and it is essential to have the right energy management and control. The energy contract also determines the final return. We are currently seeing companies being inundated with offers based on prices and payback periods from years ago. So with this too, it's a matter of being careful."
1 in 5 companies consider investing in battery storage.
Specialist in energy accounting Odot, which guides some 2,000 Belgian companies in their energy strategy, finds that about one in five companies are currently considering an investment in a smart battery. That percentage is even higher among the larger players. In itself certainly logical since a battery offers you various possibilities to optimize your energy consumption.
Chris Elbers, CEO of Odot:"Given the many questions from our customers regarding battery technology, we have thoroughly analyzed the offer on the market. It turned out to be a very complex, technical matter that requires a total analysis - from the technological possibilities to the energy contract. And this is often where the shoe pinches, causing companies to risk stepping into a scenario where they cannot fully utilize the potential for optimization. And that would obviously be a shame, since battery technology is an essential part of the energy transition and does have the potential to be a profitable investment."
In fact, with the right choice of battery, there are several possibilities in terms of optimization:
⚡ Auto consumption
Companies with solar panels or other renewable energy sources can deploy a battery to use the power generated when the sun is not shining or the wind is not blowing. In this way, they can maximize their own consumption of green energy, which of course leads to less offtake from the grid and lower energy costs.
⚡ Peak shaving
Businesses can use a battery to accommodate peaks in their consumption. The battery is charged to accommodate peak consumption so that costs can be reduced on peak power.
⚡ Market-based optimization
You can also use a battery to respond smartly to wholesale (next-day prices), intraday (during the day) and imbalance markets. Thus, energy can be bought and sold smartly.
⚡ Net balancing
Companies can become providers of balancing power to grid operators. In doing so, they make power available from their battery to Elia and/or the regional grid operators, with a view to a more stable electricity grid.
Chris Elbers:"So batteries have a lot of potential to be a profitable investment. The technology is also still evolving. For example, we are currently seeing shifts in the returns of the various optimization options. For example, last year the return on imbalances was still very profitable. That is already much less by now."
Complex and not without risk.
Today, however, that potential is matched by complexity. For example, companies are not only approached by a multitude of providers with diverse business cases.
The constellations behind them are also often complex and lacking in transparency. For example, the sale and installation of the battery (s) is often done by solar panel installers. For the actual control of the smart battery, they often rely on an energy supplier. Among other things, the latter takes care of the connection with solar panels and other energy sources and the adjustment of battery use based on energy prices and weather forecasts.
Chris Elbers:"In our analyses we saw a lot of business cases that were based on dated figures. With a bit of bad luck, as a company you can end up in a scenario where your battery does not achieve the payback period you had counted on or where you are stuck with unfavorable contracts for ten years or more. To achieve maximum returns, it is essential to have the right energy management as well as the right control. The energy contract also determines ROI. A lot of factors to map out. And that is certainly not easy.