H1 Global Smart Network, Energy Efficiency, and Battery Financing Scale Dropped to US$2.4 Billion

Mercom Capital Group, a global clean energy communications and consulting firm, has released a report
on financing and M&A activity in the battery storage, smart grid and energy efficiency sectors for the second quarter and first half of the year.

Total financing for smart grid, battery storage and energy efficiency companies (including venture capital, public markets and debt financing) fell to $2.
4 billion in the first half of this year, compared with $2.
8 billion in the first half of 2017, down 14 percent
year-on-year, the report said.
The decrease in funding in the first half of the year was due to reduced financing activity in the smart grid and energy efficiency categories, while increased funding in the battery storage segment
.

Specifically, global venture capital (venture capital, private equity, and corporate venture capital) for battery storage, smart grid, and energy efficiency businesses fell 18 percent to $839 million in the first half of 2018, compared to more than $1 billion
in the first half of 2017.

Venture capital funding for battery storage, smart grid and energy efficiency businesses decreased to $367 million in 27 transactions in the second quarter of 2018, compared to $472 million in 23 transactions in the first quarter of 2018, a 33%
decrease from $591 million raised in 24 transactions in the same period last year.