Battery Storage · FTM + BTM · Value Stacking · CPFS · CUBE CONCEPTS
Battery storage for commerce and industry — it earns, saves, and protects.
CUBE CONCEPTS plans, builds, and operates battery storage systems for commercial and industrial clients – full service from site analysis to ongoing operation, manufacturer-independent, Europe-wide, on an open-book basis.
FTM earnings self-financed
industrial electricity price (BMWE, August 2025)*
FTM + BTM + Multi-Use
01 — For whom
For which companies is an industrial battery storage system economically viable?
Battery storage is no longer a question of if. It's a question of when.
CUBE CONCEPTS implements battery storage projects for commercial and industrial (C&I) clients starting at 750 kW / 1,500 kWh – manufacturer-independent, throughout Europe. Not every location is suitable – and we are upfront about that.
Four typical starting situations — which one suits you?
Profile 1 — Trade & Industry: Cost Reduction
Annual electricity consumption from ~1 GWh. Demand charge noticeably reflected in the annual bill. Sections 19 (2) sentence 1 and 118 identified as leverage. Decision-making structures for a 6-12 month investment process in place.
Production · Logistics · Chemistry · Food
Profile 2 — Industry with substantial grid connection
Medium-voltage connection with free capacity – that's the strategic starting point. Free capacity enables immediate FTM marketing: FCR, aFRR, mFRR, arbitrage. IBN until 2029 as the planning horizon.
Automotive · Steel · Non-ferrous metals · Logistics
Profile 3 — ESG Strategy & CSRD Reporting Obligation
CSRD reporting obligations require measurable CO₂ reductions, not declarations of intent. Scope 2 emissions must demonstrably decrease. A battery storage system provides auditable metrics for sustainability reports and credit discussions.
Corporations · Real Estate Portfolios · CSRD-eligible from 500 employees
Profile 4 - System Integration & No Internal Operational Overhead
An electric vehicle fleet with growing charging needs, without grid expansion. Or: A manufacturing facility with critical availability requirements. CUBE EfficiencyUnit handles all control, monitoring, and maintenance—contractually guaranteed, not just promised.
Logistics · E-Fleets · Facility Management · Production
Who decides—and what drives the decision?
If you are responsible for investment decisions
ROI, liquidity, off-balance-sheet. €0 CAPEX in BESS Contracting. Amortized through FTM proceeds. IFRS-compliant, auditable.
If you are responsible for ESG strategy and CSRD reporting obligations
Battery storage delivers measurable CO₂ reduction — Scope 2, documented, for sustainability report and credit negotiation.
If you are responsible for plant operation and supply reliability
No internal operating costs. CUBE EfficiencyUnit handles all control and O&M functions.
If you are responsible for energy procurement and network charges
§19 para. 2 sentence 1, §118 para. 6 EnWG, AgNes 2029 — all three instruments can only be combined with battery storage 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. Case study: Information Evening Coesfeld, Jan. 2026
Cost Trap 01 — The Grid Fee Trap
„A single peak costs us thousands — for the entire year.“
About 40% of the industrial electricity price consists of grid fees (BMWE, August 2025)*. The largest portion is the power price—calculated based on the highest 15-minute reading for the entire year. A single peak load determines the base rate for all 12 subsequent months. Whether it’s startup processes, simultaneous charging of multiple electric trucks, or seasonal production peaks—the remaining 35,000 quarter-hours are irrelevant.
Your Asset 02 — The free grid connection that should work for you
„Our grid connection is already here. It should earn money for us.“
A free grid connection is the most valuable energy asset an industrial company can possess today. It is the ticket to FTM markets: FCR, aFRR, mFRR, spot arbitrage — fully automated, from IBN, without any operational interference. Over 720 GW of open grid connection requests in Germany are contrasted with only 78 GW of committed capacity (KPMG AG, February 2026)*. Whoever 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
„Energy costs are eating into our profit margins — and we can't plan for them.“
Stock market electricity prices fluctuate daily due to growing renewable energy feed-in. Those who have to purchase at fixed times regularly pay during the most expensive phases. Battery storage decouples purchasing and consumption — charges cheaply, relieves expensive periods, or is used for self-consumption.
What every month of delay costs
For a typical 1 MW industrial storage system, the unsecured §118 advantage corresponds to a permanently lost grid charge advantage of approximately ~€16,000–€25,000 per month at 1 MW (KPMG AG, Feb. 2026)*. The §118 network charge exemption cannot be retroactively acquired. No addendum, no exception request — anyone who goes into operation after August 4, 2029, will permanently pay network charges 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: those who sell hardware or market electricity—using their own systems or their own portfolio for this. The others build the system behind it: in-house operation, in-house marketing, calculations based on your load profile data.
CUBE CONCEPTS belongs to the second category – as your administrator of interests.
CUBE CONCEPTS comes from over 150 successfully completed energy projects across Europe — photovoltaics. We build battery storage on the same foundation.
What is BESS
What is a battery storage system—and what’s the difference between one that earns and one that just stores?
Not a big battery. It is an energy market participant, a grid fee optimizer, and a production buffer — depending on the deployment strategy. Here is the vocabulary that informs decisions.
Definition
BESS - Battery Energy Storage System
Stationary system for electrical energy storage based on electrochemical cells. Industrial scale from 750 kW / 1,500 kWh. Can operate simultaneously with BTM (behind the meter, network fees + self-consumption) and FTM (in front of the meter, grid services + arbitrage).
Definition
LCOS — Levelized Cost of Storage
Total costs over the service life divided by the total amount of energy supplied in MWh. The decisive indicator of economic efficiency — not the purchase price. Reference value LFP: €110/MWh (KPMG AG, Investment Case February 2026).*
BESS — Battery Energy Storage System
Technical umbrella term for all stationary battery storage systems, regardless of size, technology, and purpose. CUBE CONCEPTS uses BESS as the overarching classification term.
Industrial storage — CUBEs' Segment
BESS from 750 kW / 1,500 kWh. Above this threshold, FTM marketing, multi-use operation, and §118 grid fee exemption are economically viable. Below this, there is insufficient critical mass for control energy markets.
Front-of-the-Meter
Storage as a market participant in the public grid before the meter. Buys cheaply, feeds in expensively, provides grid balancing services. Fully automatic. PV not required. No operational intervention.
BTM — Behind-the-Meter
Storage as a cost optimizer behind the meter. It affects the power price, atypicality according to §19 (2) sentence 1, §118 exemption, and self-consumption rate. The savings appear directly on the electricity bill.
Multi-Use — FTM and BTM simultaneously
FTM and BTM do not run alternately, but simultaneously. The CUBE EfficiencyUnit coordinates both dimensions in real time. The key metric is not the utilization rate—but the output per full cycle.
Value Stacking — Multiple Channels, One System
Combination of multiple revenue and savings streams on the same storage: Peak Shaving + Ancillary Services + §19 para. 2 sentence 1 (Atypical Grid Usage) + §118 Exemption — parallel, control-coordinated.
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 is CUBEs EMS — fully automated, grid-code compliant, and directly connected to FCR, aFRR, and mFRR markets without operational 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 | Check mark | Check mark | Check mark | Check mark |
| Ancillary Services FCR / aFRR / mFRR | Check mark | ~ | Check mark | ~ |
| §19 para. 2 sentence 1 atypicality | Check mark | Check mark | Check mark | ~ |
| Self-consumption (with PV) | Check mark | Check mark | Check mark | Check mark |
| E-Mobility Load Buffer | ~ | — | — | Check mark |
✓ Typically economical · ~ Location-dependent · — Generally not relevant. Balancing energy (FCR, aFRR, mFRR): Direct access from 1 MW · Pooling from 750 kW (via direct marketer).
05 — What is profitable
What pays off — and how do you measure it correctly?
LCOS reference value
110 €/MWh
LFP Battery Storage · KPMG AG, Feb. 2026
The decisive benchmark – not the purchase price.
The purchase price is the wrong benchmark. LCOS — Levelized Cost of Storage — divides all costs over the runtime by the total usable amount of energy. Only LCOS truly makes technologies and offers comparable.
Technology Comparison according to KPMG — LFP, ZnBr, NIB
According to KPMG AG (Investment Case: Stationary Battery Storage, February 2026), LCOS for LFP battery storage is €110/MWh – significantly below average industrial electricity prices.*
| Key figure | Lithium Iron Phosphate | Zinc bromide | Sodium-ion battery (NIB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degradation / Year | 2.1 %* | 0.3–1 TP6T | 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 × 1 × 6 × T |
| 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 shifts/day, WACC 6% (1-year forward rate). Indicative.
LFP vs. ZnBr: Why Both Metrics Must Be Read Together
LFP has the highest IRR (10.5%)—low capital requirements, quick payback. ZnBr has the highest NPV (5,076 kEUR)—stable cash flows over 25 years, lowest LCOS. The choice of technology 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 Revenues: Market Data 2021–2025
| Product | Redemption Bond 2021–2025 | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Energy | 110,000–200,000 € / MW / year | Performance price for readiness. 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 delivery within 5 minutes. |
| aFRR negative | €88,000–€145,000 / MW / year | Symmetric deployment required. |
** regelleistung.net / ÜNB-Datacenter · ISEA Battery Revenue Index, RWTH Aachen, 2025
Objection: „The more we inform ourselves, 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 offer—not for your decision. Those tied to a manufacturer calculate with their systems. Those marketing on a pool basis calculate with their portfolio. The only anchor you can trust: a calculation based on your load profile data—open, understandable, before you commit.
Objection: „We'd rather wait and see.“
He who waits does not lose out on technology. He loses August 4, 2029. The §118 grid fee exemption cannot be acquired retroactively—no addendum, no exception request, no transition window. What lies behind it costs permanently. For an existing grid connection, planning typically takes 6–12 months; for new construction, it averages 40 months. The time to act is now.
06 - Regulatory
Which regulatory windows close by 2029 — and what does that mean for your decision?
The technology is mature. The economic viability is proven. What is narrowing are the framework conditions. Four deadlines by 2029 — each with concrete consequences for failure.
Section 118, Paragraph 6 of the Energy Industry Act (EnWG) guarantees companies that commence operations by August 4, 2029, a 20-year full exemption from grid fees on charged electricity, which cannot be acquired retroactively.
As of April 1, 2025
§14a EnWG — Time-Variable Network Charges
All distribution network operators are obliged to offer time-variable grid fees as of April 1, 2025. Storage systems with real-time control will structurally benefit from the most favorable tariff signals. Those who are too late will not have access to this optimization potential.
Mid-2026
MiSPeL — EEG Promotion + FTM (no §19 grid charge instrument)
Simultaneous BTM+FTM operation for EEG plants without loss of remuneration. New delimitation option §19 3b EEG. MiSPeL is an EEG regulation - no §19 grid surcharge privilege. Too late: Miss the most attractive multi-use combination for co-location sites.
Application deadline: September 30, 2028 · Valid until December 31, 2028
§ 19 Para. 2 Sentence 1 StromNEV — Atypical Grid Usage
HLZ Compliance: Up to 80% reduction in grid fees. Battery storage makes compliance verification predictable. Note: BK4-22-089 applies exclusively to Section 19(2), Sentence 1 (peak load) — expires December 31, 2025. Section 19(2), Sentence 1 (atypical load) is completely independent of this. Those who are late: permanently lose their individual grid fee privilege.
As of January 1, 2029
AgnesBNetzA BGK-25-01-1#3) — Successor to §19
Replaces Section 19 with dynamic, load-profile-based grid fee signals. Controlled storage systems are structurally favored. CUBE EfficiencyUnit is designed for AgNes. Those who are late: Uncontrolled consumption profiles are subject to structurally higher rates.
August 4, 2029 — CRITICAL DEADLINE
§ 118 Paragraph 6 of the EnWG — 20 Years of Exemption from Grid Fees
IBN up to this date: **20 years of complete grid fee exemption on charged electricity (up to 7 ct/kWh).** Not retroactively acquirable. Extension expressly unclear according to KPMG. For existing connections: 6–12 months planning lead time. For new connections: an average of 40 months (ECO STOR / pv-magazine, Feb. 2026)*. Grid connections on a first-come, first-served basis (§17 EnWG) — no legal priority. Those who are too late will pay grid fees permanently — for the entire operating period.
§ 118 para. 6 EnWG · § 19 para. 2 sentence 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)?
The system pays for itself: FTM proceeds cover the cost of the storage in 2–4 years. After that, all the savings are yours—whether you choose the Contracting plan or purchase the storage outright.
FTM operation
FCR, aFRR, mFRR as a supplementary channel, spot arbitrage — fully automatic, no operational intervention.
FTM revenue amortizes the system
Typical duration: 2–4 years
BTM operation
Peak Shaving, §19(2) Sentence 1, Self-Consumption Optimization — After Amortization.
Permanently reduce network fees
after Amortization Phase I
Full combo
FTM and BTM simultaneously — CUBE EfficiencyUnit coordinates balancing energy, peak shaving, and §19 in real time.
Maximum Value Stack
CUBE remains O&M partner
Phase logic applies to CPFS BESS Contracting. I'm CPFS BESS Purchase start operating at full capacity immediately — all revenue goes directly to you.
Your Path to Battery Storage
Both variants: manufacturer-independent tender with mind. 3 offers, LCOS-rated, no vendor lock-in — and both after CISAF Rn. 121 in exchange for recognition of the industrial electricity price.
08 — Project Progress
How does a BESS project with CUBE CONCEPTS proceed — from inquiry to operational status?
From site analysis to commissioning, it typically takes 6–12 months with an existing grid connection. Here's the process in eight steps.
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
CUBE BatterySizer simulates over 250 operating variants. Result: most economical configurations with BTM, FTM, and multi-use scenarios — in bandwidths, not as glossy forecasts.
03
Open-Book Business Case
Economic feasibility calculation with CAPEX/OPEX calculation, financing model, amortization scenarios. All assumptions transparent — no negotiation position, but working basis.
04
Manufacturer's announcement
At least three offers, manufacturer-independent. Evaluation based on LCOS – not purchase price. System comparison including certification documents and service concept.
05
Contract conclusion & financing
Contracting or Buy (CPFS BESS Buy). IFRS-compliant, off-balance sheet option. Responsibilities clearly defined.
06
Planning & Approval
Building law, fire protection concept, grid connection procedure, construction cost contributions. CUBE coordinates all specialized planners and grid operators — one point of contact.
4–8 months
07
Installation and Commissioning
Turnkey delivery. Grid registration, grid acceptance, trial operation. Complete installation documentation. No black-box components.
08
O&M — Operations and Maintenance
CUBE EfficiencyUnit operates fully automatically. Monitoring, maintenance, and technical support are provided by CUBE CONCEPTS—as the long-term operator.
Running
Initial consultation to commissioning for existing network connection: typically 6–12 months. New connection: 40 months on average.
09 — Security
What must a secure industrial storage system be capable of — and where does security truly begin?
Security doesn't start with the deletion concept. It starts with component selection, the tendering process, and installation documentation. CUBE CONCEPTS demands full certification proof — no black-box systems.
7 Causes of Thermal Runaway
- Cell/production defects: separator defects, internal short circuits
- BMS Malfunctions: Overcharging, Deep Discharge, Undetected Hotspots
- Overload / Defects in power electronics and cabling
- Insufficient cooling and ventilation concept — Heat buildup
- Missing fire barriers, module/rack spacing too narrow
- Mechanical damage with delayed cell failure
- Deficient maintenance, missing inspection processes
During a lithium fire, oxygen is produced from the cathode material — preventing thermal runaway is prioritized over extinguishing.
Mandatory Certifications Industrial Storage
- UL 9540ASafety test stationary BESS
- IEC 62619Safety testing of lithium-ion cells
- IEC 62620Industrial Cell Performance & Lifetime
- UL 1973Safety Standard for Stationary Systems
- UN 38.3Transport safety of lithium batteries
- EU Battery Regulation 2023/1542EU Product Safety
- BetrSichV / VDEOperations and occupational safety
References
Selected clients from the CUBE CONCEPTS project network
Among our clients: Tier 1 companies from automotive, steel, and industry — with strict IFRS and governance requirements. Photovoltaics and battery storage, implemented across Europe. On the same foundation.
Thermal Management Solutions DE
Solar power system in operation since 2025. BESS at CPFS BESS Contracting — in preparation (2026).
Read articleAnonymous Project Example: Automotive supplier, 2 MW / 4 MWh, §118 exemption secured, commissioning Q4 2024.
KPMG AG, Investment Case: Stationary Battery Storage, February 2026. kpmg.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Battery Storage for Decision-Makers
Available grid connection capacity is the core asset in the CPFS operating model (Contracting variant). CUBE CONCEPTS operates the storage facility as an FTM market asset at your connection point—FCR, aFRR, mFRR (supplementary channel), spot arbitrage. Fully automated, no operational intervention. You benefit from the revenues on an open-book basis. At the same time: 720+ GW of open grid connection requests with only 78 GW of committed capacity (KPMG AG, February 2026)—whoever has a free connection today holds a strategic advantage.
CPFS in the Contracting model: €0 in-house investment. CUBE CONCEPTS covers the entire investment, installs, and operates the storage system. You provide the 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, Section 19, self-consumption) and a full FTM+BTM combination. Off-balance-sheet option available, IFRS-compliant.
Yes — completely. FTM operation (balancing energy, arbitrage, grid connection marketing) is completely PV-independent. Peak shaving and §19 para. 2 sentence 1 atypical generation also function without PV. An existing PV system significantly increases BTM potential and enables combined FTM+BTM operation without EEG remuneration loss from MiSPeL (mid-2026). But: PV is not a prerequisite.
CUBE CONCEPTS realizes projects from 750 kW / 1,500 kWh – the range in which FTM marketing and multi-use are economically viable. Ancillary services (FCR, aFRR, mFRR): Direct access from 1 MW, pooling from 750 kW. The actual economic efficiency depends on three parameters: grid connection, load profile (15-minute values), and price structure. The CUBE BatterySizer simulates 250+ variants based on your real data – free of charge, non-binding.
§19 Para. 2 Sentence 1 StromNEV (atypical grid usage) expires with the billing year 2028 (last application deadline: September 30, 2028). As of January 1, 2029, AgNes (BNetzA BGK-25-01-1#3) comes into effect and replaces Section 19 with dynamic, load-profile-based grid fee signals. Controlled storage systems with real-time forecasting control are structurally preferred. The CUBE EfficiencyUnit is designed for AgNes.
§118 para. 6 EnWG: Commissioning by August 4, 2029 = 20 years of complete exemption from grid fees on charged electricity (up to 7 ct/kWh). Cannot be acquired retrospectively. Those who go into operation after the cutoff date will permanently pay grid fees for the entire operating period. For a typical 1 MW storage system, this corresponds to approximately €16,000–€25,000 per month in permanently forgone grid fee advantages (KPMG AG, Feb. 2026). For an existing connection: typically 6–12 months planning lead time. For a new connection: 40 months.
LCOS (Levelized Cost of Storage): Total cost over the service life divided by the total amount of energy supplied in MWh. LFP: 110 EUR/MWh, ZnBr: 104 EUR/MWh, NIB (sodium-ion battery): 127 EUR/MWh (KPMG, Feb. 2026). Two offers with the same purchase price can have significantly different LCOS values—due to degradation rates (LFP: 2.1% per year), efficiency, and service life. CUBE CONCEPTS evaluates all manufacturer offers based on LCOS, regardless of the manufacturer.
Today, operators at PV+BESS sites must choose between the EEG feed-in tariff or FTM marketing. Starting MiSPeL (mid-2026): Simultaneous BTM+FTM operation without loss of EEG remuneration. New delimitation option §19 3b EEG. Requirement: Direct marketing and quarter-hourly metering. Important: MiSPeL is an EEG regulation—not a §19 grid fee privilege. For PV+BESS sites, this opens up a completely new revenue dimension.
LFP degradation: 2.1 %/year (KPMG AG, Investment Case: Stationary Battery Storage, Feb. 2026). This value is explicitly factored into the LCOS and IRR. Never 1–2% per year or 1.5–2% per year — the KPMG figure is the only reliable reference value. The open-book calculation shows the degradation path over the entire term — transparently, before the contract is signed.
Three things are enough to get started: grid connection documentation (performance, voltage level), annual electricity consumption, and load profile data from the last 12 months in 15-minute intervals. From this, the CUBE BatterySizer simulates over 250 operating scenarios and shows whether and how a battery storage system is economically viable at your location. Free, non-binding, no commitment.
Free initial consultation
Analyze the last mile — get a first reliable assessment in 30 minutes
CUBE CONCEPTS analyzes grid connection, load profile, and price structure — and simulates over 250 variations to determine which operating strategy is economically viable for your location. Manufacturer-independent. Open-book. With no upfront investment, if you so desire.
Request location analysis§118 Paragraph 6 EnWG — IBN Deadline: August 4, 2029 · Planning takes 6–12 months (existing connection)
Free · no commitment · initial consultation based on your load profile data
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