Top-down cost assessment and market regulatory conditions affecting BESS feasibility in the Spanish framework : Exploring the viability of utility-scale stand-alone Battery Energy Storage Systems in Spain

Abstract: This thesis report provides a comprehensive analysis of the regulatory landscape governing Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in Spain and offers insights into their operational optimization and economic viability. The study centers on a 40 MW BESS and explores three distinct case studies, each representing varying system durations (one, two, and four hours) and two different electricity price scenarios (2019 and 2022). A techno-economic analysis encompassing all scenarios concludes the investigation. The research findings reveal that BESS projects can be financially lucrative when operating under the 2022 scenario, particularly when participating in Spain's Wholesale and Secondary Regulation service (aFRR) markets. Notably, as the system duration increases, project profitability also rises, with Net Present Values (NPVs) amounting to 29.6 M€, 50.4 M€, and 80.6 M€ for one-hour, two-hour, and four-hour BESS durations, respectively. However, this trend is not consistent, as observed in the 2019 scenario, where the opposite holds true due to significantly lower prices in both Wholesale and Secondary Regulation service markets, resulting in negative NPVs that increase with longer BESS durations (specifically, -3.3 M€, -6.9 M€, and -17.7 M€ for one-hour, two-hour, and four-hour BESS durations, respectively). In terms of optimal dispatching strategy, the study identifies consistent patterns across all case studies and scenarios. The BESS prioritizes participation in the Secondary Regulation service due to its higher remuneration compared to arbitrage activities in the Wholesale market. Despite Spain's efforts to promote the adoption of BESS technologies, several barriers exist that could impede their deployment. Key challenges include the absence of Capacity Markets (CM), restrictions on BESS participation in technical constraints and black-start markets, and the lack of remunerated markets for Frequency Control Reserve (FCR) and voltage control. In summary, this study highlights the need for a more investor-friendly environment characterized by greater revenue stream certainty and streamlined administrative processes.