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Quick Take: As the KEMA news release says: "Uncertainty about the total cost and value of energy storage device makes it difficult to determine payback." As a result, utilities often hesitate to add storage to their technology toolboxes. But new methods are emerging to solve this issue. Here's a new tool from KEMA (see below). And we've previously shared stories with you on monetizing energy storage, up and coming smart grid storage technologies and why it's essential to choose storage technologies very carefully (because many may fail as the grid-scale storage wars grind on). – By Jesse Berst

KEMA is well aware that energy storage technologies vary drastically – from electric batteries to flywheels and more – with equally drastic differences in deliverable power, efficiency, discharge time, cycle life and other operational elements. And, uncertainty about total cost and value makes it hard to determine payback, adding to the confusion and uncertainty.

ES-Select lets clients pick storage technology for multiple simultaneous applications like transmission and distribution upgrade deferral and area regulation – and provides probabilistic distributions for cost, payback and other top decision-making criteria.

"The best decision-making tools allow clients to evaluate as much information as possible," said Dr. Ali Nourai, KEMA executive consultant. "In the nascent grid-scale storage industry, quantifying and comparing products is not as easy as it might sound. KEMA's energy storage modeling tools offer clients the ability to conduct careful analysis of the many interrelated factors that influence energy storage performance and the total cost of an energy storage system."

Free trials of the software are available for download at www.kema.com/ES-select.

KEMA provides business and technical consulting, testing and certification, measurement and testing and other services for the energy and utility industry.

Jesse Berst is the founder and chief analyst of Smart Grid News.com. He consults to smart grid companies seeking market entry advice and M&A advisory. A frequent keynoter at industry events in the US and abroad, he also serves on the Advisory Council of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's Energy & Environment directorate.

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