Rising energy costs across Europe remain a challenge, even as prices have eased since their 2022 peak. Adding to this pressure is the sharp increase in negative electricity prices. In 2024, Germany’s Bundesnetzagentur (Federal Network Agency) recorded 457 hours of negative wholesale prices, up from 301 hours in 2023. Data from the European Power Exchange shows that the UK experienced a 70 percent increase in such hours, while France doubled to 356 hours. Spain, meanwhile, saw its first-ever negative prices, totalling 247 hours over the year.
As renewables take a larger share of Europe’s energy mix, their variable nature is increasingly contributing to price fluctuations. Against this background, wnergy storage is emerging as a practical and future-proof solution, enabling businesses to harness clean power more effectively, stabilise energy costs and ensure a reliable supply. By securing the potential of renewables, storage systems play a critical role in addressing market volatility and supporting long-term energy strategies for commercial and industrial (C&I) players.
Storage as a strategic response
Energy storage systems are proving essential in this evolving energy landscape. By storing surplus electricity during periods of oversupply and discharging it during high-demand hours, these systems help stabilise the grid and address the intermittency of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.
For businesses, particularly in energy-intensive sectors, storage offers significant advantages. Systems can be charged during low-cost periods and discharged when prices peak, reducing operational expenses and enhancing competitiveness. Advanced C&I systems are already driving this shift. As Europe accelerates its energy transition, energy storage is no longer merely a backup solution – it is emerging as a strategic pillar for a more resilient, efficient and sustainable industrial future.
Expert view – how Europe can build a resilient battery ecosystem
Policy momentum
Encouragingly, there are numerous national programmes already in place that support the development of C&I battery energy storage systems:
- Germany offers low-interest loans through the KfW 275 programme, reducing upfront costs and motivating companies to invest in energy storage.
- The UK has implemented a Capacity Market scheme, providing financial rewards to systems that can supply power during peak periods, drawing many businesses into the storage space.
- France promotes self-consumption policies, allowing enterprises to use the renewable energy they produce, lowering costs and grid dependence while encouraging adoption of behind-the-meter storage.
Collectively, these frameworks, which spanning subsidies, loans, and performance-based incentives, are helping create a favourable policy environment for C&I storage deployment across Europe.
From cost burden to competitive edge
For businesses, reducing energy costs is key to enhancing competitiveness. In Europe, the significant gap between peak and off-peak electricity prices creates strong potential for the development of C&I energy storage.
Expert view – battery storage needs to be as lucrative to make as it is to use
By using storage systems, companies can purchase electricity during off-peak hours at lower rates, store it and then use the stored energy during peak periods, resulting in substantial savings on energy bills.
Sungrow
Beyond direct peak-valley arbitrage, energy storage also helps businesses manage the risk of price volatility, shielding them from sudden spikes in electricity costs. As the energy market continues to evolve, this ability to control energy expenses will become increasingly valuable, and in turn will encourage more companies to adopt C&I storage.
Innovations addressing the needs of C&I stakeholders
As C&I storage takes on a more central role, innovation is no longer optional – it’s essential. Businesses and installers across Europe are asking for solutions that integrate seamlessly with inverters, offer compact footprints, meet the highest safety and cybersecurity standards, and connect effortlessly to smart energy ecosystems.
Smarter storage and agile inverters reshape the C&I landscape
For forward-thinking businesses, adopting advanced PV-plus-storage is not just about cutting costs, it’s about future-proofing operations, enhancing resilience, and contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable energy landscape. In this decisive moment for Europe’s energy transition, those who act now will be the ones shaping a stronger, greener and more competitive industrial future. (Robert von Wahl/hcn)
