Battery storage · FTM + BTM · Value Stacking · CPFS · CUBE CONCEPTS
Commercial and industrial battery storage systems — that earn, save, and protect.
CUBE CONCEPTS plans, builds, and operates battery energy storage systems for commerce and industry — full-service from site analysis to ongoing operation, independent of manufacturers, Europe-wide, on an open-book basis.
- FTM revenues in the energy market — FCR, aFRR, mFRR (supplementary channel), spot arbitrage — fully automated
- 0 EUR own investment in BESS Contracting — no CAPEX, no investment risk for you
- Permanently lower grid fees — Peak Shaving, Section 19(2) Sentence 1 Atypical Grid Usage, Section 118 Exemption
- No vendor lock-in — no proprietary system, no forced ecosystem
2–4 years
0 €
Owner's investment
~
40%
Share of grid fees in the industrial electricity price (BMWE, August 2025)*
from 750 kW
August 4, 2029
§ 118 Para. 6 EnWG — Commissioning deadline: 20 years of grid fee exemption. Anyone who goes into operation after this date pays permanently — last chance.
01 — For whom
For which companies is an industrial battery storage system economically viable?
CUBE CONCEPTS implements battery storage projects for commercial and industrial (C&I) applications starting at 750 kW / 1,500 kWh — brand-independent, across Europe. Not every location is a fit — and we say that consciously.
Four typical initial situations — which one applies to you?
Annual power consumption starting at ~1 GWh. Capacity charge noticeable in the annual bill. Section 19 Para. 2 Sentence 1 and Section 118 identified as levers. Decision-making structures in place for a 6-12 month investment process.
Production · Logistics · Chemicals · Food
Profile 3 — ESG Strategy & CSRD Reporting Obligation
CSRD reporting obligations require measurable CO₂ reductions — not statements of intent. Scope 2 emissions must decrease measurably. A battery storage system provides auditable metrics for sustainability reporting and loan negotiations.
Profile 4 — System Integration & No Internal Operational Effort
Who decides — and what drives the decision?
Section 19 (2) sentence 1, Section 118 (6) EnWG, AgNes 2029 — all three instruments can only be combined with battery storage systems and professional operation.
02 — What you pay today
BESS is no longer a cost factor. It's a decision.
Most providers sell either hardware or electricity. CUBE CONCEPTS builds the system behind it.
Rising grid fees, new load profiles due to electrification, and increasing demands on supply security present companies with strategic decisions today. A battery storage system addresses all three simultaneously.
Every unused hour online is an hour
excluding FTM revenue — non-recoverable.
„A single peak costs us thousands — for the entire year.“
Around 40 % of the industrial electricity price consists of grid fees (BMWE, August 2025)*. The largest portion is accounted for by the capacity charge, calculated based on the highest 15-minute measured value of the entire year. A single peak load sets the base price for all 12 subsequent months. Whether start-up processes, simultaneous charging of multiple electric trucks, or seasonal production peaks — the remaining 35,000 quarters of an hour do not matter.
Your asset 02 — The free grid connection that should work for you
„Our grid connection is already there. It should be earning money for us.“
A free grid connection is the most valuable energy asset an industrial company can own today. It is the ticket to FTM markets: FCR, aFRR, mFRR, spot arbitrage — fully automatic, from commissioning, without any operational intervention. In Germany, more than 720 GW of pending grid connection requests are offset by only 78 GW of approved capacity (KPMG AG, February 2026)*. Anyone who has a free connection today possesses a strategic advantage that new market participants cannot catch up with for years.
Cost Trap 03 — The Volatility Trap
„Electricity costs are eating away at our margin — and we can't plan for them.“
Exchange electricity prices fluctuate daily due to increasing renewable energy feed-in. Anyone who has to purchase at fixed offtake times regularly pays during the most expensive phases. Battery storage decouples purchasing and consumption — charges when cheap, relieves the grid when expensive, or [enables] self-consumption.
What every month of delay costs
For a typical 1 MW industrial storage system, the unsecured Section 118 benefit corresponds to a permanently lost grid fee advantage of around ~16,000–25,000 € per month at 1 MW (KPMG AG, Feb. 2026)*. The Section 118 grid fee exemption cannot be acquired retroactively. No addendum, no application for an exception—anyone who commences operation after August 4, 2029, will permanently pay grid fees for the entire operating period.
03 — Market
Two types of providers in the C&I battery storage market
The commercial and industrial battery storage market is divided into two types of providers: one sells hardware or markets electricity—calculating using their own systems or their own portfolio. The others build the system behind it: own operation, own marketing, calculation based on your load profile data.
CUBE CONCEPTS belongs to the second category — as your interest manager.
CUBE CONCEPTS comes from over 150 completed energy projects across Europe — photovoltaic. We build battery storage systems on the same foundation.
Provider optimizer
Guardian ad litem
Available grid connection capacity
Calculation basis
Your load profile — site-specific, open-book before finalization
Locked into its own ecosystem
Independent tender — min. 3 offers, LCOS-evaluated
Transparency
Internal assumptions — not visible before finalization
Transparency
Open-Book: all assumptions, CAPEX, OPEX, revenues — prior to their finalization
04 — What is Bess
What is a battery storage system — and what distinguishes one that earns money from one that merely stores?
Not a large battery. It is an energy market participant, a grid fee optimizer, and a production buffer — depending on the operational strategy. Here is the vocabulary that informs decisions.
BESS - Battery Energy Storage System
Stationary electrical energy storage system based on electrochemical cells. Industrial scale starting from 750 kW / 1,500 kWh. Can be operated simultaneously for BTM (behind-the-meter, grid fees + self-consumption) and FTM (front-of-the-meter, grid reserve/ancillary services + arbitrage).
LCOS — Levelized Cost of Storage
Total cost over the lifespan divided by the total amount of energy delivered in MWh. The decisive economic benchmark — not the purchase price. LFP reference value: €110/MWh (KPMG AG, Investment Case February 2026).*
BESS — Battery Energy Storage System
Industrial storage — CUBEs segment
BESS starting from 750 kW / 1,500 kWh. From this threshold, FTM commercialization, multi-use operation, and Section 118 grid fee exemption are economically viable. Below this, the critical mass for balancing energy markets is lacking.
Front-of-the-meter
The energy storage system as a market participant on the public grid ahead of the meter. Buys cheaply, feeds in expensively, provides balancing energy. Fully automatic. PV not required. No operational intervention.
BTM — Behind-the-Meter
Multi-Use — FTM and BTM simultaneously
Value Stacking — Multiple channels, one system
EMS — Energy Management System
The EMS controls all energy sources and consumers at a site in real-time: grid connection, PV, battery storage, charging infrastructure, heating systems. It continuously optimizes based on current electricity market prices, weather data, and consumption forecasts. CUBE EfficiencyUnit CUBE's EMS is fully automated, TSO-compliant, directly connected to FCR, aFRR, and mFRR markets, without manual intervention.
Segments: Which memory is which?
| Segment | Performance | Typical application | CUBE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home storage | up to 30 kW | Private PV self-consumption | Not CUBE segment |
| Commercial storage | 30 kW – 750 kW | Peak Shaving, Self-consumption | Economically relevant — CUBE focus from 750 kW |
| Industrial storage | from 750 kW / 1,500 kWh | FTM + BTM Multi-Use | CUBE segment from 750 kW |
| BESS | Generic term | All sizes | Technical term |
Which applications fit which industries?
| Application | Production / Automotive | Cold chain logistics | Chemistry / Pharma | Logistics + E-Mobility. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak Shaving | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ancillary Services FCR / aFRR / mFRR | ✓ | ~ | ✓ | ~ |
| § 19 Paragraph 2 Sentence 1 Atypical Case | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ |
| Self-consumption (with PV) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| E-Mobility Load Buffer | ~ | — | — | ✓ |
✓ typically economic · ∼ location-dependent · — generally not relevant. Balancing energy (FCR, aFRR, mFRR): Direct access from 1 MW · Pooling from 750 kW (via aggregator).
05 — What pays off
What pays off — and how do you measure that correctly?
110 €/MWh
The purchase price is the wrong benchmark. LCOS — Levelized Cost of Storage — divides all costs over the lifespan by the total usable amount of energy. Only LCOS makes technologies and offers truly comparable.
Technology comparison by KPMG — LFP, ZnBr, NIB
| Key figure | Lithium Iron Phosphate | Zinc bromide | Sodium-ion battery (NIB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degradation / Year | 2,1 %* | 0,3 % | 3,0 % |
| Service life | 14 years | 25 years | 10 years |
| AC-AC efficiency | 87 % | 81 % | 85 % |
| LCOS (EUR / MWh) | 110 | 104 | 127 |
| IRR | 10,5 % | 9,5 % | 7,2 % |
| NPV (Reference case, kEUR) | 2.802 | 5.076 | 601 |
* KPMG AG, Investment Case Stationary Battery Storage, Feb. 2026 (kpmg.com/de). Reference case: 10 MW / 40 MWh, 2 cycles/day, WACC 6 %. Indicative.
LFP vs. ZnBr: Why both metrics must be read together
LFP has the highest IRR (10.5 %) - low capital, quick payback. ZnBr has the highest NPV (5,076 kEUR) - stable cash flows over 25 years, lowest LCOS. The technology choice depends on whether you want to maximize capital efficiency or absolute net present value. CUBE CONCEPTS compares both scenarios in an open-book discussion.
FTM Revenue: Market Data 2021–2025
| Product | Revenue band 2021–2025 | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| First Call Resolution Primary Control Reserve | 110,000–200,000 € / MW / year | Capacity charge for availability. Direct access from 1 MW. FCR 2025 declining.* |
| aFRR positive | 98,000–150,000 € / MW / year | aFRR +40 % compared to the previous year (ISEA RWTH 2025)*. Full provision within 5 minutes. |
| aFRR negative | 88,000–145,000 € / MW / year | Symmetric deployment required. |
** regelleistung.net / TSO-Datacenter · ISEA Battery Revenue Index, RWTH Aachen, 2025
Objection: „The more information we get, the more uncertain we become. Everyone calculates differently.“
This is not a knowledge problem, but a transparency problem. Every provider optimizes their calculation for their own offering—not for your decision. Anyone tied to a specific manufacturer calculates using their own systems. Anyone marketing through a pool calculates using their portfolio. The only anchor you can trust: a calculation based on your load profile data—open, traceable, before you commit.
Objection: „We prefer to wait and see.“
He who waits does not lose the technology. He loses August 4, 2029. The Section 118 grid fee exemption cannot be acquired retroactively — no addendum, no application for exemption, no transition window. What lies beyond that comes at a permanent cost. With an existing grid connection, planning typically takes 6–12 months; for new construction, an average of 40 months. The time to act is now.
06 — Regulations
Which regulatory windows are closing by 2029 — and what does that mean for your decision?
The technology is mature. The economic viability has been proven. What is narrowing are the framework conditions. Four deadlines until 2029 — each with a concrete consequence in the event of failure.
Section 118 Para. 6 EnWG guarantees companies that commence operations by August 4, 2029, a 20-year complete grid fee exemption on charged electricity—not retroactively acquirable.
As of April 1, 2025
Section 14a EnWG — Time-variable network charges
All distribution system operators have been required to offer time-variable network tariffs since April 1, 2025. Storage systems with real-time control structurally benefit from the most favorable tariff signals. Those who are too late: No access to this optimization potential.
Mid-2026
MiSPeL — EEG funding + FTM (not a §19 grid fee instrument)
Application deadline: September 30, 2028 · Valid until December 31, 2028
§ 19 para. 2 sentence 1 StromNEV — Atypical grid utilization
HLZ compliance: up to 80 % grid fee reduction. Battery storage makes verification predictable. Note: BK4-22-089 exclusively affects Section 19(2) sentence 1 (base load) — expired on December 31, 2025. Section 19(2) sentence 1 (atypical usage) is completely independent of this. Anyone who is too late will permanently lose the individual grid fee privilege.
As of January 1, 2029
Agnes (BNetzA BGK-25-01-#3) – Successor to § 19
August 4, 2029 — Critical Deadline
Section 118 Paragraph 6 EnWG — 20 years grid fee exemption
*** §118 Para. 6 EnWG · §19 Para. 2 S. 1 StromNEV · BNetzA BGK-25-01-1#3 · BNetzA MiSPeL Specification · KPMG AG, February 2026 · ECO STOR / pv-magazine.de, February 2026
07 — The CUBE Model
What is the CUBE Profit Flex Solution (CPFS)?
01
Phase I
FTM operation
FCR, aFRR, mFRR as supplementary channel, spot arbitrage — fully automatic, no operational intervention.
02
Phase II
BTM operation
Peak Shaving, Section 19 Paragraph 2 Sentence 1 [of the German Energy Industry Act], Self-Consumption Optimization — after Amortization.
After Phase I amortization
03
Phase III
Full combo
FTM + BTM simultaneously — CUBE EfficiencyUnit coordinates balancing power, peak shaving, and §19 in real time.
→ Maximum Value Stack
Your Path to Battery Storage
CPFS BESS Contracting
0 € own investment
- CUBE covers investment, installation, and operation entirely — zero CAPEX
- 25 % Profit-Share on net market revenues after OPEX — open-book, auditable
- IFRS-compliant · off-balance sheet option · no equity
- Amortization via FTM revenues — automatic transition BTM + full-feed-in
No equity required
CPFS BESS Purchase
Full control — full return
- One-time investment — planned, built, and commissioned turnkey
- 100 % of FTM revenue and BTM savings directly from the owner
- Property as of COD — CUBE remains optional O&M partner
- IRR 10.5 % · NPV 2,802 kEUR (KPMG AG, Feb. 2026) · independent of manufacturer
Amortization: 2–4 years
Both variants: vendor-neutral tendering with mind. 3 offers, LCOS-rated, no vendor lock-in — and both according to CISAF para. 121 recognized in exchange for the industrial electricity price.
08 — Project Progress
How does a BESS project with CUBE CONCEPTS work — from the initial inquiry to ongoing operation?
From site analysis to commissioning, it typically takes 6 to 12 months if a grid connection is already in place. Here is the eight-step process.
01
Initial consultation & data collection
Grid connection, electricity tariff, load profile data, existing generation systems (PV, CHP), charging infrastructure, ESG goals. Annual electricity consumption including 15-minute values.
02
Location Analysis & Simulation
03
04
Manufacturer's announcement
05
06
4–8 months
07
Installation and Commissioning
Turnkey delivery. Grid connection, grid acceptance inspection, test operation. Complete installation documentation. No black-box components.
08
O&M — Operation and Maintenance
CUBE EfficiencyUnit operates fully automatically. Monitoring, maintenance, and technical support by CUBE CONCEPTS — as the long-term operator.
09 — Security
What must a safe industrial energy storage system be capable of doing—and where does safety truly begin?
Security does not start with the deletion concept. It starts with component selection, the tender process, and installation documentation. CUBE CONCEPTS demands complete certification proof — no black-box systems.
7 Causes of Thermal Runaway
- Cell/production defects: separator defects, internal short circuits
- BMS malfunctions: overcharge, deep discharge, undetected hotspots
- Overload / defects in power electronics and cabling
- Insufficient cooling and ventilation concept — Heat accumulation
- Missing fire barriers, module/rack spacing too narrow
- Mechanical damage with delayed cell failure
- Deficient maintenance, missing inspection processes
Mandatory Certifications Industrial Storage
UL 9540A
IEC 62619
Safety testing of lithium-ion cells
IEC 62620
Industrial Cell Performance & Lifetime
UL 1973
Safety standard for stationary systems
UN 38.3
Transport safety of lithium batteries
EU Battery Regulation 2023/1542
EU Product Safety
BetrSichV / VDE
Operations and occupational safety
References
Selected clients from the project network of CUBE CONCEPTS
TI Automotive
MAGNA
VALEO
VOESTALPINE
TENNECO
ITW
Thermal Management Solutions DE
PV system in operation since 2025. BESS in CPFS BESS Contracting — in preparation (2026).
~100 M
Battery storage capacity
currently under construction
200,000–300,000 €
FTM Revenue Potential / MW / Year
KPMG AG, Investment Case, Feb. 2026*
150+
realized energy projects across Europe
1
realized energy projects across Europe
* KPMG AG, Investment Case: Stationary Battery Storage System, February 2026. kpmg.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Battery Storage Systems for Decision-Makers
How does a company with a free grid connection monetize this capacity?
Available grid connection capacity is the true asset in the CPFS operating model (Contracting variant). CUBE CONCEPTS operates the storage system as an FTM market asset at your connection — FCR, aFRR, mFRR (supplementary channel), spot arbitrage. Fully automatic, no operational intervention required. You benefit from the revenues on an open-book basis. At the same time: 720+ GW of pending grid connection requests compared to only 78 GW of approved capacity (KPMG AG, February 2026) — whoever has an available connection today possesses a strategic advantage.
Which type of offer makes sense when no equity capital is available for triple-digit investments?
CPFS in Contracting: 0 € self-investment. CUBE CONCEPTS covers the entire investment, installs and operates the storage system. You provide space and grid access. FTM revenues are shared on an open-book basis. Typical payback period: 2–4 years via FTM revenues — followed by BTM operation (peak shaving, §19, self-consumption) and full FTM+BTM combination. Off-balance-sheet option available, IFRS-compliant.
Is a battery storage system worthwhile without a photovoltaic system?
From what operational size is a BESS project economically viable?
What happens to the §19 grid fee optimization after 2028?
§19 Para. 2 Sentence 1 StromNEV (Atypical Grid Usage) expires with the 2028 billing year (last application deadline: September 30, 2028). As of January 1, 2029, AgNes (BNetzA BGK-25-01-1#3) into force and replaces Section 19 with dynamic, load-profile-based grid fee signals. Controlled storage systems with real-time forecast control are structurally favored. The CUBE EfficiencyUnit is designed for AgNes.
What does the Section 118 deadline on August 4, 2029, mean in concrete terms in Euros?
What is LCOS — and why is it more meaningful than the purchase price?
What will MiSPeL change in mid-2026 for locations with an existing photovoltaic system?
How does CUBE CONCEPTS account for degradation in economic efficiency calculations?
What data does CUBE CONCEPTS need for an initial site assessment?
Free initial consultation