New Battery Energy Storage Systems-as-a-Service Removes Financial and Operational Hurdles, Helping Companies Diversify Energy Mix
Supports Shift from CapEX to OpEx, Empowering Companies to Deploy Battery Storage Without Upfront Investment with Guaranteed Day-One Returns
ABB today announced the launch of its groundbreaking Battery Energy Storage Systems-as-a-Service (BESS-as-a-Service) – a flexible, zero-capital expenditure solution engineered to accelerate the global transition to clean, resilient, and affordable energy. As the first offering in a new generation of service models, BESS-as-a-Service is specifically designed to eliminate barriers to clean technology adoption and drive industries toward their net-zero goals.
Against the backdrop of surging global demand for energy storage solutions, ABB’s BESS-as-a-Service provides businesses with a comprehensive turnkey pathway to energy independence and sustainable operations. According to projections from the International Energy Agency (IEA), global energy storage capacity is set to grow sixfold by 20301, with commercial and industrial storage systems alone expected to see nearly tenfold expansion to reach 560 GWh. These figures underscore the critical role that battery energy storage will play in building cleaner, more resilient power systems worldwide2.
Eliminating the need for upfront capital investment, BESS-as-a-Service enables organizations across diverse sectors – including data centers, transportation and logistics, and commercial real estate – to access advanced energy storage capabilities through an affordable quarterly service fee structure. This innovative approach transforms how businesses acquire and utilize energy storage technology, making cutting-edge solutions accessible regardless of financial constraints.
The all-inclusive service package encompasses all necessary hardware, proprietary software, and comprehensive lifecycle support. ABB manages every aspect of the solution, from initial deployment and ongoing maintenance to continuous performance optimization. This end-to-end service delivery allows businesses to remain focused on their core operations while simultaneously improving energy efficiency, enhancing operational resilience, and advancing long-term sustainability objectives. Notably, the technology-agnostic design of BESS-as-a-Service ensures compatibility with all major battery technologies, giving customers the freedom to leverage emerging innovations without being locked into a single system.
BESS-as-a-Service is backed by robust performance guarantees, along with full coverage of maintenance costs and energy trading brokerage fees. By professionally managing all aspects of energy market participation, ABB enables customers to seamlessly generate immediate financial returns by selling excess stored energy during peak demand periods. This creates an entirely new revenue stream for businesses while supporting grid stability.
Stuart Thompson, Division President of ABB’s Electrification Service Division, emphasized: “In today’s unpredictable energy market, businesses prioritize reliability and cost predictability above all else. Our customers consistently express their desire to deploy advanced technologies to enhance energy security, reduce emissions, and lower costs – yet financial barriers often stand in their way. By shifting from capital expenditure to a more predictable operational expenditure model, ABB’s BESS-as-a-Service empowers businesses to immediately strengthen their energy security, significantly reduce peak demand charges, and unlock new revenue streams.” He added, “We view BESS-as-a-Service not merely as a new product offering but as a strategic growth driver for our division. We see tremendous potential to scale this solution globally, particularly as more industries seek flexible, low-risk pathways to decarbonization.”
Prior to deploying BESS-as-a-Service, ABB conducts comprehensive feasibility assessments for prospective customers to verify projected financial benefits. This rigorous evaluation process serves as a prerequisite for installation, ensuring that clients can achieve net financial gains from day one of implementation.
To enhance its BESS-as-a-Service offering, ABB has established a diverse ecosystem of strategic partners, bringing together expertise in cutting-edge energy monitoring software, advanced data analytics, and sophisticated financial modeling. This collaborative approach ensures that the service remains at the forefront of technological and market developments.
Thompson concluded: “With BESS-as-a-Service, we are fundamentally redefining the economics of clean energy adoption – delivering the flexibility and financial returns that businesses need to decarbonize with confidence. This solution enables organizations to adopt advanced energy technologies without the financial burden of large capital investments, empowering them to take control of their energy needs, strengthen operational resilience, and unlock new value from their existing assets.”
