Magazyny energii - między bezpieczeństwem energetycznym a opłacalnością inwestycyjną
Energy storage facilities: between energy security and investment profitability

Summary/Abstract: Given the dynamic changes in the electricity market and the growing share of renewable energy sources, energy storage facilities are becoming a key element of the power infrastructure. Their function extends beyond system stabilisation - they enable active market participation through price arbitrage, balancing services, and participation in the capacity market. The study assesses the profitability of investments in energy storage facilities from the perspective of their use in commercial activities in the energy market. The study aimed to develop a universal research procedure to compare various technological solutions and investment strategies. This procedure was tested on two selected time series, using a set of assumptions that reflect the current regulatory environment and economic realities. Computer simulations based on historical data showed that, despite the growing interest in energy storage technologies, achieving a positive return on investment over a five‑year horizon is difficult. The main barriers are high initial costs, limited battery life, and declining efficiency over time. Even with optimal price arbitrage strategies, investment requires a longer time horizon or further declines in technology prices. The proposed approach also allows for the identification of market and regulatory risks, making it an essential tool for economic analysis. Although investments in energy storage facilities under current economic and technological conditions do not appear profitable to a private investor, their strategic importance to the country and the entire power system should be emphasized.

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