Residential vs. community battery storage systems Consumer preferences in Germany

Battery storage systems can balance the intermittency of renewable energy sources. Lithium-ion systems exhibit a declining price trajectory alongside a growing demand. However, little is known about consumer preferences and appropriate business models for storage systems. This paper presents an analysis of German adopters of a photovoltaic system (n = 752) and interested non-adopters (n = 84) to investigate their preferences for lithium ion storage systems. In a choice experiment respondents had to choose among different system configurations. Respondents preferred choosing none of the presented systems over choosing a system. Potential for the residential and community storage concept with joint usage is found. High levels of autarky have a high utility. Consumers favor ownership over use rights and are willing to give up control to provide services for the grid. Market opportunities for cooperatives, regional power providers, and new market entrants exist. The study can assist in creating customer-focused business models and implementing multi-purpose use cases with value for different actors in the energy system.