A New Revenue Model for Battery Storage Systems launched with Deutsche Bahn and Energieversorgung Beckum

Energieversorgung Beckum (evb), Westenergie and E.ON Energy Solutions (ESY) are jointly developing a new large-scale battery storage system with 20 megawatts of power and 55 megawatt hours of capacity, which is expected by the end of 2025. The Munich-based company Entrix will be responsible for optimizing and marketing the battery storage system.
The Entrix FloorPlus revenue model will be used for the first time in Germany as part of the project. DB Energie – a subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn – will take over the day-ahead flexibility for 10 years and guarantee evb fixed payments for defined capacities. This creates a stable revenue corridor that offers greater planning security and therefore also facilitates financing.

Entrix FloorPlus: A New Structure for Revenue Stability

The Entrix FloorPlus model places the combination of fixed revenues and market-based flexibility at its core. In the Beckum project, DB Energie receives the contractual right to call off flexibility the day before, in order to, among other things, stabilize its own renewable portfolio. This enables the interim storage of electricity annually for approximately 1.3 million ICE train kilometers.

All remaining flexibilities, such as for intraday trading and balancing energy, will continue to be fully marketed by Entrix via its own trading platform. An AI-supported trading strategy is used, which analyzes price, grid data, and forecasts in real time in order to flexibly and profitably position the battery storage system in the market.

In contrast to traditional tolling models, operators retain full control over the asset and the trading strategy. The result is a balanced risk-return profile that is especially attractive for municipal utilities, institutional investors, and project developers.

Typical contracts within the Entrix FloorPlus framework range between 20 and 100 megawatts and have durations between three and fifteen years.
The Beckum project thus marks the starting point for a series of planned FloorPlus applications in Germany.

„Many operators of battery storage systems face the challenge of increasing the predictability of inevitably fluctuating storage revenues,” says Steffen Schülzchen, CEO of Entrix.
“At the same time, there are utilities and large consumers with exactly the opposite problem: they are exposed to fluctuations in the renewable energy sector and are looking for ways to hedge. With DB Energie, we have found a partner who is actively shaping this new marketing approach. With Entrix FloorPlus, we are creating a functioning mechanism to allocate flexibility specifically between market participants.”

Daniel Dierich, Managing Director of evb, emphasizes: “The FloorPlus model from Entrix is the perfect balance of opportunity and security for us as a municipal utility. This new marketing approach has convinced both our committees and the financing banks alike.”

A Market Gap Is Closed

The FloorPlus model addresses a central issue in the electricity market: on one side are actors such as utilities and large consumers with fluctuating generation or inflexible consumption who want to hedge against high price volatility. On the other side, operators of battery storage systems are looking for ways to hedge against low price volatility, as this would reduce the revenue potential of storage. Until now, there was no model that brought both sides together. This is precisely where Entrix FloorPlus comes in, with a contractually regulated structure that enables the targeted transfer of market risks.

In recent years, we have built up a broad green power portfolio with numerous Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), which is subject to high fluctuations due to the intermittent availability of wind and solar energy,” says Florian Reuter, Managing Director of DB Energie. “With the market maturity of battery storage now achieved, we can take the next logical step. Our second PSA in Beckum complements our green power contracts and contributes to building a diversified portfolio of storage agreements. In doing so, we can effectively work toward Deutsche Bahn’s goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2040.

The storage project in Beckum shows how technological innovation and municipal responsibility can be combined. Up to 500 citizens will be able to participate financially in the project. evb speaks of the largest investment in its history—a strong signal for the expansion of a secure, sustainable energy supply in the region.

For Press enquiries:

Entrix
Jana Justa (Marketing Lead)
press@entrixenergy.com 

DB Energie    
Larissa Sengfelder
Larissa.Sengfelder@deutschebahn.com

About Entrix

Entrix  is the leading provider and pioneer of multi-market optimization for battery storage systems in Germany. The Munich-based company has been delivering market-leading performance for its clients since 2022 through its AI-powered trading platform, which dynamically markets battery storage across various energy markets. As an innovative fullservice provider, Entrix offers not only automated trading but also comprehensive support in project implementation, technical integration, maintenance optimization, and adaptation to new market opportunities to ensure the best long-term performance of an asset.

About DB Energie

With its development and provision of energy infrastructure, DB Energie makes an important contribution to Deutsche Bahn’s energy transition. The Deutsche Bahn subsidiary based in Frankfurt am Main provides rail transport companies in Germany with a reliable, economical and sustainable energy supply. As a grid operator, DB Energie manages the more than 7,900-kilometer-long 16.7 Hertz traction current grid, closed 50 Hertz distribution grids and the direct current supply systems of the Berlin and Hamburg suburban railroads. More than 50 power plants, converters and inverters distributed throughout Germany supply the energy, while over 1,800 transformer stations ensure the right voltage. DB already covers 68 percent of its traction current with renewable energies. Long-distance passengers have been traveling with 100 percent green electricity since 2018. By 2038, all of DB’s traction current – ten terawatt hours per year – will be 100 percent green. DB will also be supplying its plants, office buildings and train stations in Germany entirely with green electricity from this year.

About evb     
Energieversorgung Beckum GmbH & Co. KG is the local energy utility for the city of Beckum. It supplies electricity and gas to both residential and business customers and is actively involved in promoting renewable energy—such as through the operation of photovoltaic systems. evb places strong emphasis on sustainability and local responsibility, and is engaged in numerous social, cultural, and sports initiatives throughout the region.