Energy Storage Construction Contract

What is the contract structure for a battery energy storage system?

The contract structure has not. Two main issues should be considered when developing a battery energy storage system or “BESS” project. The first is the general contracting structure. The second is key pitfalls when drafting and negotiating specific contracts. This article focuses on the contract structure. Turnkey v. Separate Contracts

How do energy storage contracts work?

For standalone energy storage contracts, these are typically structured with a fixed monthly capacity payment plus some variable cost per megawatt hour (MWh) of throughput. For a combined renewables-plus-storage project, it may be structured with an energy-only price in lieu of a fixed monthly capacity payment.

What is an EPC agreement for a battery energy storage system?

The negotiation of an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) agreement for a battery energy storage systems (BESS) project typically surfaces many of the same contractual risk allocation issues that one encounters in the negotiation of an EPC agreement for a solar or wind project.

How important are battery-specific construction and operation contracts?

It is important that battery-specific construction and operation contracts are put in place. The past year has seen massive growth in the number of battery storage projects being developed in the UK, with battery costs dropping and appetite for investment into the sector growing.

Are battery energy storage systems matured?

Battery energy storage systems have matured as the technology, quality, performance and reliability have also matured. The contract structure has not. Two main issues should be considered when developing a battery energy storage system or “BESS” project. The first is the general contracting structure.

What are the implications of a combined renewables-plus-storage project?

There will be important implications for a combined renewables-plus-storage project depending upon whether the project is DC coupled or AC coupled. For example, AC coupled systems are generally viewed as being simpler since the renewable energy storage can be connected separately with AC power.