Battery storage developer Younicos acquired by Aggreko in £40m deal

PV Magazine

Younicos, the German-U.S. developer of battery technology and energy storage solutions, has been acquired by Glasgow-headquartered power generation company Aggreko in a deal worth £40 million ($52 million).

Known for its smart energy solutions that have facilitated the integration of batter storage across European and U.S. markets, Younicos operates in an area of the decarbonized energy sector that Aggreko aims to grow into, the firm’s chief executive Chris Weston said.

“As energy markets continue to decarbonize, decentralize and become more digital, the integration and control of multiple energy sources, including thermal and renewable, will be essential to ensure the provision of reliable power,” Weston said.

Younicos CEO Stephen Prince, who will report directly to Weston, added: “Batteries are an economically attractive and reliable asset that will play an increasing role as we transition from today’s energy market to the energy market of the future.”

Both executives agree that the combination of Aggreko’s global presence, fleet and scale with Younicos’ smart energy capability and integration and management services will be a “powerful combination” in an evolving energy landscape where renewable penetration is increasing and intermittency is become more difficult to manage across grid systems.

Younicos currently has more than 200 MW of installed storage systems globally, and boasts a large pipeline of 1.2 GW in both developed and emerging storage markets.

In 2016, the firm’s revenue was £7 million and its operating losses £15 million. The company said that it expects to be loss-making in the short-term.

Aggreko will make the £40 million investment in cash, the company said.

Source: PV Magazine. Reproduced with permission.