---
title: "D.TRADING and Finnish Capalo AI Launch Partnership for 'Bankable' Monetization of Energy Storage Systems in Europe"
description: "D.TRADING (DTEK) and Finnish Capalo AI have entered into a strategic partnership, offering BESS owners in Europe commercial models that combine bankable revenue predictability with AI optimization on short-term markets."
date: 2026-09-05T10:40:01.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/d-trading-capalo-ai-partnership-bess-energy-storage-en
tags: [dtek, d-trading, capalo-ai, bess, energy-storage, european-energy-market, ai-optimization, renewable-energy]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# D.TRADING and Finnish Capalo AI Launch Partnership for 'Bankable' Monetization of Energy Storage Systems in Europe

![DTEK corporate building with the company logo on the facade — the firm whose D.TRADING unit launched a partnership with Capalo AI to monetize energy storage systems in Europe](https://xab.info/media/2026/09/05/d-trading-capalo-ai-partnership-bess-energy-storage/d-trading-capalo-ai-partnership-bess-energy-storage-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- D.TRADING and Capalo AI have signed a strategic partnership to create a 'bankable' monetization model for BESS in Europe
- D.TRADING acts as the offtaker and structures revenue models, while Capalo AI optimizes assets through the Capalo Zeus VPP™ platform
- A merchant model, floor-and-upside-share, and tolling agreements are provided for standalone and hybrid projects
- The partnership is aimed at removing the project finance barrier for a new wave of investment in storage systems in Europe

D.TRADING, the trading company and a subsidiary of the DTEK energy group, and Finnish technology company Capalo AI, which specializes in optimizing the operation of battery energy storage systems (BESS) using artificial intelligence, have signed a strategic partnership agreement. This was reported on September 3, 2026, by RBC-Ukraine, citing a D.TRADING press release. The joint offering is aimed at BESS developers and owners in Europe and combines long-term revenue predictability with the ability to capture additional margin on dynamic short-term segments of the energy market.

### Commercial model: from merchant to tolling

Under the partnership, the parties will offer several commercial models: a classic merchant model, agreements with a guaranteed minimum income and profit sharing (floor-and-upside-share), as well as tolling agreements. The offering will be available for both standalone storage systems and hybrid projects that include renewable energy sources. Asset owners will have a single contractual relationship with D.TRADING while simultaneously gaining access to the combined capabilities of both partners. According to the company's assessment, this structure addresses one of the key challenges of the rapidly growing European BESS market — providing a revenue model that meets the requirements of bank financing while preserving owners' ability to earn additional income on volatile electricity markets.

### Division of roles: finance versus algorithms

D.TRADING takes on the contractual and financial components: it acts as the offtaker, structures revenue models suitable for attracting project finance, and provides the necessary credit support. Capalo AI, in turn, provides market access and optimizes asset performance on the day-ahead market, the intraday market, and the ancillary services markets using its own Capalo Zeus VPP™ platform. This division of functions, as designed by the partners, allows BESS owners to obtain long-term revenue predictability while simultaneously adapting trading strategies to changing market conditions without losing flexibility.

### Context: a shift in YASNO's portfolio and a bet on flexible capacity

For D.TRADING, the cooperation is another step in expanding its offering for energy storage and renewable generation projects. The company combines the role of an energy trader and commercial counterparty with structuring revenue models that help attract financing for the creation of new flexible energy capacity. Notably, it was previously reported that around 65% of the energy equipment that Ukrainian YASNO (also part of DTEK) installs for business clients is dedicated to energy storage systems, whereas solar power plants previously dominated the order structure. This indicates a structural shift in demand toward flexible solutions, which is precisely what the new partnership is designed to address.

### Management assessment

"In our partnership with Capalo AI, we combine our strengths: D.TRADING's ability to structure long-term revenue models that meet the requirements of bank financing, and Capalo AI's technological capabilities to maximize revenue from asset operation on energy markets," said D.TRADING CEO Dmytro Sakharuk. According to him, the partnership opens the possibility to provide developers and investors with greater revenue predictability without limiting the market potential of their assets. "This is an important step in creating the commercial infrastructure needed for the next wave of investment in energy storage systems in Europe," he added.

### Contradictory data

No significant discrepancies in figures, dates, or the wording of the parties' roles were found in the provided sources. RBC-Ukraine (Ukrainian and Russian versions) and the specialized industry publication ESS-News (September 3, 2026) convey the content of the D.TRADING press release consistently and without contradictions. The only point worth noting is that the materials do not disclose the specific volumes of assets to which the model will apply, nor the geography of the first pilot projects — these details are likely to be announced in subsequent communications from the partners.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [D.TRADING and Capalo AI to present a new model for energy storage systems](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/d-trading-ta-capalo-ai-zaproponuyut-novu-1788604615.html) - Украинская версия пресс-релиза D.TRADING; все ключевые тезисы, цитата Сахорука, перечень коммерческих моделей и роли сторон совпадают с основным текстом.
- [D.TRADING, Capalo AI to offer bankable BESS revenue deals](https://www.ess-news.com/2026/09/03/d-trading-capalo-ai-to-offer-bankable-bess-revenue-deals/) - Англоязычное отраслевое издание от 03.09.2026 подтверждает факт партнёрства, упоминание Capalo Zeus VPP™ и ориентацию на bankable revenue deals для BESS.
- [D.TRADING and Capalo AI to offer a new model for energy storage systems](https://www.rbc.ua/rus/news/d-trading-ta-capalo-ai-zaproponuyut-novu-1788604615.html) - Украинская версия пресс-релиза D.TRADING; все ключевые тезисы, цитата Сахорука, перечень коммерческих моделей и роли сторон совпадают с основным текстом.

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: What is Capalo Zeus VPP™ and what role does it play in the partnership?
**A:** Capalo Zeus VPP™ is a platform by Finnish company Capalo AI for optimizing the operation of energy storage systems and automated trading on energy markets. Within the partnership, Capalo AI will manage BESS assets through this platform on the day-ahead market, the intraday market, and the ancillary services markets.

### Q: What commercial models will the partners offer to BESS owners?
**A:** Three main models are provided: a merchant model, agreements with a guaranteed minimum income and profit sharing (floor-and-upside-share), as well as tolling agreements. The offering covers both standalone storage systems and hybrid projects with renewable energy sources.

### Q: What is D.TRADING's role in this partnership?
**A:** D.TRADING acts as the offtaker, provides the contractual and financial components, structures revenue models suitable for attracting bank financing, and offers the necessary credit support. The company also combines the role of an energy trader and commercial counterparty.

### Q: What is the practical significance of the partnership for the BESS market in Europe?
**A:** According to D.TRADING, the key barrier to a new wave of investment in storage systems is the lack of a revenue model that meets the requirements of bank financing. The partnership creates a commercial infrastructure that allows developers to obtain predictable income for banks while simultaneously retaining access to additional margin on short-term markets.