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FCR · aFRR · mFRR · Spot Arbitrage · FTM Marketing

Ancillary Services & FTM — Industrial Storage Revenue

An industrial storage system of 1 MW or more generates daily revenue from FCR, aFRR, mFRR, and spot arbitrage—fully automatically, regardless of production operations.

Most providers sell hardware or electricity. CUBE CONCEPTS builds the system behind it.

€200,000–300,000
FTM Gross Revenue per MW/Year
KPMG AG, February 2026
+40 %
aFRR Growth 2026
ISEA RWTH Aachen
≥1 megawatt
Direct access FCR & aFRR
from 750 kW via pooling
August 4, 2029
§118 IBN Deadline
20 years of grid fee exemption
§118-Deadline: August 4, 2029 — 1.221 Days remaining
Calculate FTM Potential — Free
Free · 1–2 Weeks · No Commitment
The four FTM revenue streams

FCR · aFRR · mFRR · Spot Arbitrage — one portfolio, four revenue streams

No single channel can consistently maximize revenue. The CUBE EfficiencyUnit rebalances FCR, aFRR, mFRR, and arbitrage on a daily basis—based on market prices, HLZ windows, and your load forecast.

FCR ↘ Declining
Frequency Containment Reserve
Primary control power · Response time ≤30 seconds
CompensationCapacity price pay-as-bid, hourly auctions
Degradation~0.3 full cycles/day — low
Trend2022/23 most profitable channel — structurally declining since 2023
Remains portfolio component. Source: regelleistung.net
aFRR ↗ +40 % 2026
Automatic Frequency Restoration Reserve
Secondary control power · fully in 5 minutes
CompensationCapacity price + working price, daily + weekly auctions
Optimum2h System (0.5C) — Strongest FTM Channel 2026
Trend+40% growth by 2026 — structurally beneficial for BESS
Source: ISEA RWTH Aachen, Battery Revenue Index 2025
mFRR Auxiliary Channel
Manual Frequency Restoration Reserve
Minute reserve · Activation within 12.5 minutes
CompensationCapacity + energy price, daily auctions (pay-as-bid)
Volume~600 MW 2024 — structurally declining since 2014
RestrictionManual activation squanders BESS response time advantage
Ancillary channel when FCR + aFRR are not fully utilized. Source: regelleistung.net · FfE Aug. 2025
Arbitrage ↗ Growing
Day-Ahead & Intraday · Spotarbitrage
EPEX SPOT · Price difference at purchase/sale time
MechanismCharge at negative/low prices, discharge at high prices
Market data457 hours of negative electricity prices in Germany in 2024
TrendGrows with increasing share of renewable energies
Stabilized at low balancing energy prices. Source: EPEX SPOT / BNetzA 2024
Portfolio Strategy: The CUBE EfficiencyUnit rebalances FCR, aFRR, and mFRR as supplementary channels and arbitrage on a daily basis—based on market prices, HLZ windows, and your load forecast. No fixed channel plan is required, and no manual adjustments are necessary.
Prerequisites

When can a battery storage system participate in the grid balancing market?

Five factors determine the FTM potential at your location. CUBE CONCEPTS analyzes all five in the first step — free of charge, based on your load profile data.

Minimum requirements

≥1 megawatt
Direct access FCR & aFRR
750 kW
Entry via pooling possible
Less than 30 seconds
FCR reaction time
5 Min
aFRR full response time
Direct Access: RLM meter + grid operator protocol required. Prequalification by CUBE CONCEPTS full service.

Five factors for the business case

01
Mains connection power
Available connection capacity determines FTM-enabled capacity
02
Storage Dimensioning (C-Rate)
2h System (0.5C) for aFRR/Arbitrage · 1h System (1C) for FCR
03
Control zone
50Hertz · Amprion · TenneT · TransnetBW — different capacity prices
04
BTM Profile §19 / §118
§19 Application deadline: September 30th · §118 only with IBN until 8/4/2029 · Planning lead time 6–12 months
05
BTM/FTM Split
Remaining capacity after BTM coverage determines FTM potential
Request location analysis
CUBE CONCEPTS analyzes all 5 factors - free of charge based on your load profile data
For whom is grid reserve relevant

Which profile applies to you?

Four decision profiles — different questions, same foundation: Open-book calculation based on your location data.

Investment Decision & Balance Sheet Clarity
„Which IRR is realistic - and how do we book that?”
IRR 10.5% % (KPMG AG, Feb. 2026). Off-balance sheet treatment under IFRS is possible in BESS Contracting. Open-book calculation based on your load profile — CUBE BatterySizer calculates over 250 site-specific operating scenarios.
0 € CAPEX · Off-Balance IFRS · Open-Book
Sustainability Goals & CSRD Reporting
„How does FTM marketing affect our CO2 footprint?”
Ancillary services participation = measurable contribution to grid stability. KPMG certifies BESS as „emission-free flexibility”. Integrable into CSRD reports — hitherto communicated systematically by hardly any providers.
CSRD-compliant · system-serving · verifiable
Operational Safety & Plant Engineering
„How does the storage integrate into our production without intervention?”
Fully automated. The CUBE EfficiencyUnit manages FCR, aFRR, and arbitrage without requiring intervention in PLCs, control systems, or production control. 24/7 monitoring. Vendor-neutral system design—at least 3 competitive bids, evaluated using LCOS.
Fully automatic · no intervention · 24/7
Energy Procurement & Electricity Purchase Costs
„How do I tap into unused FTM potential at my grid connection?”
Monthly billing per channel, OPEX shown individually — no opaque pool billing. KPMG benchmarks as a basis for decisions. No manufacturer portfolio — your data, your calculation.
Open-Book · is a Channel · no lock-in
Revenue Numbers & Business Case

What does an industrial storage facility with FTM marketing earn?

Numbers based on KPMG AG, Investment Case BESS, Feb. 2026. All values are location-dependent — control area, C-rate, and BTM/FTM split influence the result.

Total Gross Revenue FTM
€200,000–300,000
pro MW/year · KPMG AG, Feb. 2026
from aFRR share
dominant 2026
+40 % Growth · ISEA RWTH Aachen
LCOS LFP — Benchmark
€110/MWh
Benchmark for manufacturer tender
LCOS ZnBr (Zinc-Bromine Flow)
€104/MWh
Long-term operation alternative
LCOS Sodium-Ion Battery
under observation
Na-Ion Technology · KPMG AG, Feb. 2026
Case Study — Industrial Site 1 MW / 2 MWh LFP · FTM Marketing
FTM Gross Revenue/Year€200,000–300,000
OPEX/Year (O&M, Marketing)-55,000.00 €
Net marketing revenue/year€145,000–€245,000
Contracting proportion (25–%)€36,000–€61,000/year
GIK (approx. €250/kWh)~500,000€
When purchasing BESS: IRR10.5 %
Amortization2–4 years
Acquisition: full control · 100 % net proceeds
Reference values · KPMG AG, Investment Case BESS, Feb. 2026 · Site-specific — Grid area, C-rate, and BTM/FTM allocation influence results · Potential analysis free of charge
Calculate your FTM revenue potential
CUBE BatterySizer calculates over 250 operating variants on a site-specific basis · free
Control Logic & Daily Conflicts

Three conflicts a day — the CUBE EfficiencyUnit resolves them automatically

FCR, Section 19 compliance, and arbitrage compete for the same storage capacity on a daily basis. The CUBE EfficiencyUnit automatically prioritizes these—without any manual intervention.

01
FCR vs. Peak Shaving

The FCR ties up ~50 % SoCs symmetrically — capacity that is lacking for peak shaving.

Solution: Hourly reprioritization based on high-level goals + load forecast + market price
02
Arbitrage vs. §19-HLZ

Inexpensive charging phases conflict with HTLS windows — charging jeopardizes §19 entitlement.

Solution: HLZ deposited daily, charging automatically locked
03
Cycle threshold

Too small price range = cycle costs more than it yields.

Solution: Break-even dynamically calculated — only profitable cycles are executed

Illustrative Daily Schedule — Multi-Use Operation

22:00–06:00
Cheap charging — Arbitrage store. FCR ready at 50 % SoC in parallel.
06:00–08:00
Morning ramp — Check §19-HLZ. Establish peak shaving readiness.
08:00–12:00
Peak Shaving Active — HLZ windows. §19 compliance automatically documented.
12:00–16:00
PV / Reload — Self-consumption or favorable price windows.
16:00–20:00
Evening peak — Peak Shaving + Arbitrage Discharge. HLZ locked.
20:00–22:00
FCR / Standby — 50 % SoC. Section 19 annual documentation in progress.
Redemption mix by location profile

What strategy suits your location?

No channel lock-in — the strategy follows the market and your load profile, not the manufacturer.

Profile 1 - High Performance Price
Primary: BTM — Peak Shaving & §19

The demand charge penalizes a single 15-minute peak for 12 months. BTM brings immediate, measurable value.

BTM comes first — FTM supplements in HLZ-free windows. §19 Application deadline: September 30th.
Profile 2 — Available Network Capacity
Primary: FTM — aFRR + Arbitrage

Free grid connection capacity is the ticket to the ancillary services markets. €200,000–€300,000/MW/year FTM gross revenue.

FTM comes first — the same storage will later switch to BTM operation (MiSPeL mid-2026 onwards) without hardware replacement.
Profile 3 — PV system available
Primary: BTM — Self-consumption + Peak Shaving

FCR possible. Arbitrage restricted by EEG regulations. MiSPeL will open for PV + FTM combined from mid-2026.

Ab MiSPeL: First time PV system and FTM marketing simultaneously without remuneration conflict.
Profile 4 — From MiSPeL Mid-2026
BTM + FTM Combined — Full Combination

MiSPEL (BNetzA EEG §6b) enables PV systems and FTM marketing without remuneration conflict for the first time—arbitrage + EEG combined.

No channel lock-in — Strategy follows the market, not the manufacturer.
Which profile suits your location
Submit final order — CUBE CONCEPTS analyzes for free
Prequalification Full Service

From load analysis to ongoing operation — what CUBE CONCEPTS handles

01
Final Cost Analysis & Open-Book Calculation

CUBE BatterySizer analyzes grid capacity, §19 qualification, and optimal storage dimensioning — all FTM and BTM levers with Euro amounts.

Free · 1–2 weeks
02
System Configuration & Utility Voting

RLM meter, ÜNB protocol, manufacturer tender — min. 3 offers, LCOS-rated, manufacturer-independent.

2–4 months
03
Technical Tests & Prequalification Transmission System Operators

Installation, grid connection, CUBE EfficiencyUnit configuration, prequalification with the TSO — FCR ≤30 sec., aFRR 5 min.

3–6 months
04
Ongoing Operations & Billing

Bid submission, dispatch, monthly billing per channel (OPEX listed individually). 24/7 monitoring, §19 compliance documented.

20+ years
Market positioning

Market Positioning — Why Open Book Instead of Pool Optimizer?

Most providers sell hardware or electricity. CUBE CONCEPTS builds the system behind it.

CriterionProvider optimizerCUBE CONCEPTS
Calculation basisPortfolio/Manufacturer — optimized for own utilizationYour load profile — location-specific, before your determination
Open-bookIntern — Not visible before contract conclusionAll assumptions open · before your decision · no negotiating position
Redemption mixOften single-channel — manufacturer's optimumFCR + aFRR + mFRR as supplementary channel + dynamic arbitrage
EMS PriorityProvider Revenue — §19 SubordinatedCustomer interest — §19 + peak shaving always prioritized
Pre-qualificationCustomer side - own effortFull-Service CUBE — incl. Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) coordination
BillingPool, OPEX opaqueNet market revenue by channel, OPEX shown individually

Our open-book calculation is not a negotiation position—it's the foundation upon which partnership works. Open-book means transparency within the business relationship—no public disclosure of project data.

Request open-book calculation
Submit your last month's data - we'll showcase your potential based on your data, not our portfolio.
Typical objections

The most common objections—answered directly

„§19 - Compliance suffers when FTM is running.”
§19 Compliance and peak shaving always take priority. FTM operates exclusively during non-peak time slots. The CUBE EfficiencyUnit automatically blocks charging processes—no manual intervention required, and the process is documented in an audit-proof manner. §19 Application deadline: September 30.
„What if FCR prices continue to fall?”
Portfolio strategy: FCR + aFRR + mFRR as a supplementary channel + arbitrage are dynamically weighted on a daily basis. aFRR is 2026 +40 % (ISEA RWTH Aachen) — the channel switch occurs without any hardware changes. FCR remains a portfolio component, not the sole pillar.
„We have no free network capacity.”
More than 60% of industrial connections have more available capacity than is currently known internally. CUBE BatterySizer analyzes over 250 operating scenarios based on your load profile data—free of charge, before you make your decision.
„"We don't know yet whether we want to go with Contracting or buy."”
That is not an obstacle. The open-book calculation compares both models side by side—based on the same location and the same figures. Contracting (€0 CAPEX, 25% % share) or purchase (100% % revenue, IRR 10.5% %): CUBE CONCEPTS calculates both options before you make a decision.
References

Tier-1 References — Europe-wide · On the Same Foundation

Over 150 PV projects completed, Europe-wide multi-site rollouts. Now battery storage — on the same foundation, with the same standards.

Anonymous, referable upon request.

TI Automotive
Magna International
Valeo
Voestalpine
Tenneco
ITW
Energy projects Europe-wide
Does your location also qualify
Submit final version — CUBE CONCEPTS checks for free and without obligation
Frequently Asked Questions

Ancillary Services & FTM — Answers for Decision Makers

FCR (Frequency Containment Reserve) responds in ≤30 sec. Remuneration: Capacity price pay-as-bid, hourly auctions (regelleistung.net). ~0.3 full cycles per day - low degradation. Declining since 2023, but remains a portfolio building block.
aFRR (secondary control power) responds fully within 5 minutes. Capacity price + energy price, daily and weekly auctions. +40% % growth by 2026 according to the ISEA RWTH Aachen Battery Revenue Index 2025. 2-hour system (0.5C) is optimal.
Direct access FCR & aFRR: ≥1 MW (prequalification with the TSO). Pooling: from 750 kW. FCR response time ≤30 sec., aFRR fully within 5 min. Prequalification as full-service by CUBE CONCEPTS.
€200,000–€300,000 / MW / year FTM gross revenues (KPMG AG, Investment Case BESS, Feb. 2026). Site-specific — LCOS LFP €110 / MWh (manufacturer tender benchmark). Potential analysis free of charge.
Daily reprioritization based on HZC, load forecast, and market price. Section 19 compliance and peak shaving always take priority. FTM only runs in HZC-free time slots — Section 19 application deadline: September 30th — documented in a revision-proof manner.
CUBE calculates based on your load profile – Open Book, all assumptions are transparent before you make your decision. Pool optimizers calculate based on their portfolio. Result: Calculations are in the customer's best interest, not the provider's.
Charging at negative or low prices, discharging at high prices. 457 hours of negative electricity prices in Germany in 2024. Supplementary channel — stabilizes revenues at low ancillary service prices. Source: EPEX SPOT / BNetzA 2024.
Yes — the CUBE EfficiencyUnit coordinates automatically. BTM (§19, application deadline September 30) takes precedence. FTM operates during available capacity windows. MiSPeL: PV + FTM combined starting in mid-2026. §118: IBN until August 4, 2029 — 20 years.
Next step

Analyze FTM potential — site-specific and free

CUBE CONCEPTS calculates your available grid capacity, optimal storage dimensioning, FCR/aFRR/arbitrage potential, and your expected revenue based on your load profile — an open book, before you make your decision.

§118-Deadline: August 4, 2029 — 1.221 Days remaining
Send in last run—free potential analysis →
Free · 1–2 Weeks · No Commitment · §118 Deadline: August 4, 2029
Further topics

Battery Storage — All Topics at a Glance

Battery storage that lowers energy costs. Leverage regulatory frameworks. Activate revenue potential at your grid connection — today.

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