Co-Located Solar and Wind with BESS Can Outperform Standalone Storage, Says Arenko

Arenko has indicated that integrating battery energy storage systems (BESS) with solar and wind assets can deliver strong commercial returns for portfolio owners in Europe, particularly when supported by advanced automated trading strategies.

According to the company, operational data from hybrid renewable energy projects using its Nimbus software platform shows that co-located solar-plus-storage and wind-plus-storage assets can match or, in some cases, exceed the revenue performance of standalone BESS projects.

Arenko’s Nimbus is currently deployed across 15 co-located renewable energy sites, where it is used to automate asset management and trading functions. The platform integrates optimisation algorithms, machine learning, and real-time market data to improve asset performance and grid utilisation.

At a solar-plus-storage site in the United Kingdom, the system achieved export availability of approximately 83% and increased grid connection utilisation from 8% to 29%. This improvement has significantly enhanced the productive use of the grid connection and positioned the asset among the top-performing battery projects in the country in terms of annualised revenue. In March 2026, more than 98% of the asset’s traded volume was executed through automated processes.

In wind-plus-storage configurations, which are typically subject to higher variability and export constraints, Arenko reported that advanced optimisation techniques can help maintain performance levels. At a UK-based wind project, Nimbus enabled export availability of around 70% while dynamically managing grid capacity between the wind asset and the battery system. Approximately 88% of the project’s traded volume was automated over the past year.

Industry observers note that co-located renewable and storage projects often face operational complexities due to shared grid connections and fluctuating generation profiles. However, the use of automated trading algorithms and integrated forecasting tools is enabling operators to navigate these challenges more effectively.

Rupert Newland, CEO of Arenko, stated that recent performance data demonstrates the commercial viability of co-located projects, particularly for utilities, independent power producers, and investment funds seeking to expand in the flexibility market. He added that the development of a robust digital infrastructure is essential for managing complex, multi-technology portfolios across different markets.

Arenko noted that its platform, initially developed for the UK BESS market, is seeing increased adoption among operators of both standalone and hybrid renewable energy assets as the sector evolves toward more integrated and data-driven operations.