Your grid connection has available capacity. How long will you leave it unused?
Available grid connection capacity does not generate revenue today—yet it is the starting point for an operating model that finances a battery energy storage system on its own. Without you needing to know today what you will do with it tomorrow.
Available grid connection capacity — the unused asset of every industrial site
Every industrial site pays for its grid connection — through capacity charges, base fees, and grid tariffs. Most of them do not use the entire capacity reserved by contract. What they do not use still costs money.
A battery storage system installed to utilize this unused capacity can immediately turn it into revenue—by participating in balancing power markets, energy trading, and spot arbitrage. In the Contracting model, no upfront investment is required—you purchase the system and enjoy the full return.
At the same time, there is genuine uncertainty: Will our own BTM strategy look different in two years? What will the AgNes reform do to Section 19? How will energy demand change due to electrification? This uncertainty is real — and it is the reason why a model is needed that starts today and keeps all options open for tomorrow.
CUBE CONCEPTS’ three-phase operating model: immediately monetize available grid connection capacity (Phase I: FTM), amortize the system, begin BTM operation in Phase II, and combine FTM and BTM in Phase III. Contracting or purchase—the operating principle is the same.
Total cost per stored MWh over the lifetime — the decisive comparative metric, not the purchase price. According to KPMG AG (Feb. 2026): 110 EUR/MWh for LFP systems. ZnBr (zinc-bromine flow) for long-term operation: 104 EUR/MWh. NIB (sodium-ion battery / Na-ion) under observation. Manufacturer-independent tendering makes this value comparable.
Most providers sell either hardware or electricity. CUBE CONCEPTS builds the system behind it.
Some sell hardware—and bill by their systems. Some market electricity—and bill by their portfolio. Some bundle both in a proprietary energy management system—and bill by their ecosystem. The result is the same in all three cases: The calculation is based on the provider's interest, not on your load profile.
The commercial and industrial (C&I) battery storage market is structurally divided into two types: vendor-optimizers, who calculate for their own system or portfolio—and stakeholder representatives, who calculate based on your site data. CUBE CONCEPTS is your stakeholder representative.
How do the three phases work?
The CPFS principle starts with available grid connection capacity and builds a self-financing sequence from it. Phase I: FTM market revenues. Phase II: BTM operation. Phase III: Full combination — FTM + BTM simultaneously.
CUBE CONCEPTS will install the BESS using your available grid connection capacity. Financing, operation, and marketing are handled entirely by CUBE under the Contracting model—or by your company if you choose to purchase the system.
The system participates immediately in the FTM market: frequency containment reserve (FCR, aFRR, mFRR as a supplementary channel), energy trading, spot arbitrage. Existing operational processes are not affected.
With the Contracting model: 25% of net market proceeds for you—after deducting operating, marketing, and IT costs. CUBE CONCEPTS bears the full investment, operating, and market risks. With a purchase: all proceeds go directly to the company—typical ROI is 2–4 years.
No CAPEX for Contracting · Off-balance-sheet treatment possible (IFRS) · No operational risk with Contracting · FTM revenue: €200,000–300,000/MW/year (KPMG, Feb. 2026)
The amortized system switches to BTM operation: peak shaving, grid fee optimization (§ 19 para. 2 (application deadline: September 30) sentence 1), self-consumption optimization. The switch is possible at any time via MiSPeL (EEG regulation by the Federal Network Agency) — without new hardware.
In Contracting: Continued operation by CUBE CONCEPTS. Upon purchase: full control and all BTM savings go directly to the company.
The system operates FTM and BTM simultaneously: balancing energy, spot arbitrage, peak shaving, Section 19, and self-consumption run in parallel — maximum revenues, maximum savings.
Your Choice: Continue with CUBE in Contracting — or have your company take over (purchase). You do not have to make this decision today.
Purchase option contractually anchored · FTM + BTM simultaneously · maximum revenues
What does open-book mean in this context — and what does it not?
Open-Book is not a marketing claim. It is a governance instrument — for CFOs, auditors, and decision-makers who need traceable calculation bases.
What open book means
- All calculation assumptions open — before your decision, not after the signature
- Load profile data, FTM market prices, grid tariff rates, IFRS treatment — can be viewed individually
- No internal model based on the vendor portfolio
- No negotiation position — Working basis for your review
- CUBE BatterySizer calculates over 250 operating variants based on your load profile — site-specific, not model-based
- Auditable: IFRS-compliant documentation, traceable for your internal audit
What Open-Book does not mean
- Public disclosure of calculation data
- Access to other client projects or portfolio terms
- Industry-wide comparability — every calculation is site-specific
- Fixed-Price Guarantee — Market proceeds depend on market conditions
How is CPFS treated in the financial statements?
An overview of the key IFRS-relevant aspects for decision preparation.
Contracting — Off-Balance
CUBE CONCEPTS bears the investment, operational risks, and market risks. The BESS does not appear on the company's balance sheet (off-balance-sheet under IFRS). The profit share is recorded as ongoing revenue.
Relevant for companies with balance sheet length targets, rating requirements, or limited investment capacity.
Buy — On-Balance, full proceeds
Full investment, full control, full revenues. The BESS typically pays for itself within 2–4 years via FTM market revenues — without dependence on electricity prices or own consumption. CAPEX approx. €250/kWh. Upon request, CUBE CONCEPTS takes over operation and marketing for a performance-based service fee.
For companies with an investment budget and a preference for full asset control.
CISAF compliance (margin no. 121)
BESS-Contracting and Kauf are designed to comply with the CISAF Guidelines (para. 121)—relevant to industrial electricity price counter-performance structures. Contractual details available upon request.
ISP consideration
BESS in exchange for the industrial electricity price (ISP) is possible in both models. Contract structure takes CISAF marginal note 121 into account. Further information: BESS & Industrial Electricity Price →
What revenue can realistically be achieved with this — and what does it depend on?
Numbers without context do not provide a basis for decision-making. Three factors determine what is realistically achievable at your location — they come before the numbers.
The available free capacity at your grid connection determines the FTM-capable power in Phase I and the amortization speed. CUBE CONCEPTS analyzes this in the first step — based on your load profile data.
The design of the BESS follows your load profile — not the manufacturer's standard product. Capacity (kWh), power (kW), and cycle stability determine which FTM markets are accessible and how high the revenues will be. Typical Phase I ROI: 2–4 years.
The three-phase logic applies identically in both models — FTM in Phase I, BTM in Phase II, full combination in Phase III. The choice of model determines capital expenditure, risk distribution, and revenue rate — not the operating principle.
Overview of Revenue Potential
FTM Revenue Phase I
Combined from balancing energy market (FCR, aFRR, mFRR), energy trading, and spot arbitrage. Market-dependent — site-specific following load profile analysis.
Contracting: Their share of net market proceeds
Without your own investment, without operational expenses. CUBE CONCEPTS bears the investment, operation, and market risk entirely.
Purchase: Your share of FTM revenue
All FTM proceeds go directly into your balance sheet—no deductions, no profit sharing. Typical ROI is 2–4 years at GIK, approx. 250 €/kWh.
Phases II + III: BTM savings — starting with the transition to BTM
Peak shaving, Section 19(2) grid fee reduction, self-consumption optimization — combinable, site-specific.
Section 118 Paragraph 6 EnWG — Exemption from Grid Fees
Requires commissioning by August 4, 2029. Planning lead time 6–12 months. Deadline cannot be extended.
Guide values based on KPMG AG, Investment Case BESS, Feb. 2026 · Section 118 Para. 6 EnWG · Section 19 Para. 2 StromNEV. Site-specific — dependent on load profile, grid connection, control area.
Two Approaches to the Same Principle—Which One Is Right for Your Business?
The CPFS principle applies identically in both models. Contracting and purchase follow the same three-phase logic—the choice is a balance-and-risk decision, not a decision based on principle.
Both models: identical principle, identical open-book accounting, identical manufacturer independence. The choice between Contracting and purchase affects revenue allocation and the balance sheet—not the three-phase principle, nor the quality of the calculation. Detail pages: CPFS BESS Contracting → · CPFS BESS Purchase →
Which profile applies to you?
Common Objections — Direct Answers
Phase I monetizes this capacity immediately—without requiring you to know today what you’ll do with it in Phase II or Phase III. No one else combines available grid connection capacity as a starting point with FTM self-financing, open-book pricing, manufacturer independence, and a contractually guaranteed purchase option. This isn’t just a building block. It’s a principle.
And the market is moving in a clear direction: Starting in 2029—when capacity charges rise and atypical grid usage is eliminated—Phase II (BTM, peak shaving) will become increasingly dominant. Anyone who already has a running BESS by then will benefit disproportionately. Anyone who waits is waiting for rising costs—not better conditions.
Phase II releases BTM options, Phase III combines FTM and BTM. You do not have to make this decision today.
CUBE CONCEPTS operates independently of manufacturers — with its own monitoring, independent of the system manufacturer. Faults are detected before they cost revenue. And all operating data is part of the open-book calculation: viewable, traceable, auditable. The purchase option is anchored from the very beginning — you can take over yourself at any time.
Tier-1 industrial enterprises across Europe — selected as an energy partner
Over 150 completed energy projects, multi-site rollouts across Europe. Now battery storage systems — built on the same foundation, with the same standards.
Completed projects in the automotive, steel, and industrial sectors across Europe.
Tier-1 industry — battery storage, peak shaving and balancing energy combined, Europe-wide. Complete project implementation by CUBE CONCEPTS: planning, manufacturer-independent tendering, system integration, operations management. All references
How does a CPFS project work?
From load profile analysis to ongoing operations — structured, transparent, with fixed milestones.
Identify free capacity, calculate FTM potential, create open-book calculation — free of charge, no commitment
Manufacturer-independent tender — at least 3 comparative offers, LCOS-evaluated
Contracting or Purchase — IFRS-compliant, auditable, purchase option embedded
Full-service implementation by CUBE CONCEPTS — planning, permitting, system integration
Ongoing operations by CUBE CONCEPTS — marketing, monitoring, maintenance across all phases.
Frequently Asked Questions About CPFS — Contracting, Purchases, Open-Book, and §118
Open-Book Meeting — Your Calculation, Not Our Presentation
Submit your load profile. CUBE CONCEPTS calculates your FTM revenue potential (FCR, aFRR, mFRR, arbitrage) and BTM savings (peak shaving, § 118, § 19) — site-specific, based on your data. Open book: all assumptions transparent, before you make a commitment. Free of charge, no obligation. Within 5 business days get your individual potential analysis.
Send in last run—free potential analysis →submit
5 business days
Calculation
Decision
*Guide value based on KPMG AG, Feb. 2026 — location-specific
Topics at a glance
Battery storage that lowers energy costs. Leverage regulatory frameworks. Activate revenue potential at your grid connection — today.
Peak shaving — reduce grid fee § 19 para. 2, lower capacity charges
FCR, aFRR, mFRR — BTM revenues through participation in balancing energy markets
§ 19 Para. 2, § 118, atypical grid usage — structurally lowering grid fees
0 € CAPEX, Off-Balance, Profit-Share — All the Details on the Contracting Model
Full CAPEX, all revenues direct, ROI 2–4 years — all details on the purchase model
BESS in exchange for the ISP — CISAF marginal no. 121, contractual structuring