Breaking Through the Waves and Going Global! Hear the New Expectations from Overseas Markets for China’s Energy Storage

Source: CNESA

---

On December 3-5, 2025, the 2025 China Energy Storage CEO Summit and the Preliminary Round of the 10th International Energy Storage Innovation Competition, hosted by the China Energy Storage Alliance (CNESA) and co-hosted by Xiamen University, Kehua Digital Energy, and Cornex New Energy, was successfully held in Xiamen.

As CNESA’s flagship concluding event of the year, this summit was anchored in the southeastern coastal region - a strategic hub linking global markets - and was themed “Breaking Waves · Coexisting - Shaping a New Global Energy Storage Ecosystem for 2026.” It brings together senior representatives from energy investment institutions, project developers, asset owners, and EPC companies from Saudi Arabia, Australia, Denmark, Austria, Bulgaria, India, and other countries for in-depth engagement.

International guests focused on topics including project implementation, cooperation models with Chinese companies, grid connection and interconnection standards, and industrial chain collaboration, collectively presenting the global market's genuine expectations of - and directions for cooperation with - China's energy storage industry.

Europe:

Focusing on building long-term partnerships rather than

engaging in short-term transactions.

Renalfa IPP - Chief Investment Officer (Austria / Bulgaria)

Kalina Pelovska

Renalfa IPP is a leading independent power producer in Europe, with more than 5.6 GW of renewable energy assets deployed across Central and Eastern Europe.

“Investment decision-making has evolved from a singular focus on levelized cost of energy to a comprehensive evaluation of system reliability and revenue stability. The strengths of Chinese energy storage companies are expanding from pricing advantages to delivery efficiency, technical responsiveness, and long-term stability. We look forward to jointly cultivating the Central and Eastern European (CEE) energy storage asset market with Chinese companies through joint ventures and co-investment models, building long-term partnerships.”

Solarpro Technology AD - Head of Energy Storage Division (Bulgaria)

Gabriel Nenov

Solarpro is a major EPC contractor and energy storage project developer in Southeast Europe, with extensive experience in PV+BESS projects across Bulgaria, Romania, Greece, and other countries.

“The energy storage market in Eastern Europe is rapidly taking off, but complex grid-connection rules and diverse approval processes place very high demands on information transparency and depth of technical communication. Large-scale projects of 200 MWh and above are becoming mainstream. The Eastern European energy storage market is optimistic about deep collaboration with Chinese partners at the inverter, battery cell, and EMS integration levels. Through standards alignment and early-stage design coordination, project bankability and execution certainty can be significantly improved.”

Australia:

Not Just Batteries, but “Plug-and-Play” System Solutions

Green Gold Energy - Head of Energy Engineering Department (Australia)

Alessandro Wei

Green Gold Energy is a leading renewable energy developer and EPC contractor in Australia, with extensive experience in developing large-scale photovoltaic and battery energy storage projects across South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, and other regions.

“In the Australian market, the Chinese energy storage supply chain has already built a high level of trust. Looking ahead, there is a stronger expectation for entry through system-level solutions rather than standalone equipment - integrated coordination across PCS, BMS, EMS, and grid-connection models. Australia’s energy storage business model is shifting from frequency regulation-led applications to a parallel model combining medium- to long-duration energy storage arbitrage and capacity assurance, placing higher demands on overall system compliance, long-term O&M capabilities, and localized services. Grid-forming technologies, validation of grid-connection models, and technical confirmation prior to tendering will become key levers for China-Australia collaboration.”

Middle East:

Focusing on long-duration energy storage and system integration

capabilities

Aramco Ventures - President of China Strategic Investments (Saudi Arabia)

Rongtao Sun

Aramco Ventures, the strategic investment arm of Saudi Aramco - the world's largest energy company - is accelerating its global investments in renewable energy, hydrogen, energy storage, and advanced materials.

“The global energy system is rapidly evolving toward a more diversified structure, with energy storage becoming a critical foundational asset. Large-scale energy base projects in the Middle East and North Africa impose higher thresholds for long-duration energy storage, system integration capabilities, and project-level reliability. China holds significant advantages in energy storage manufacturing capacity, industrial clustering, and supply chain completeness. Going forward, we will pay closer attention to the maturity of Chinese energy storage companies in safety standards, long-term operations and maintenance, project documentation systems, and global delivery capabilities. Through joint investments, demonstration projects, and localized deployment, we aim to promote deeper levels of cooperation.”

Nordic Region:

Strong emphasis on full life-cycle services and close coordination

with the power grid

DRSOLAR Denmark ApS - Chief Executive Officer (Denmark)

Salomon Martens

DRSOLAR is a Danish renewable energy system integrator and distributor, with long-term engagement in battery energy storage sales and system services across Nordic and European markets.

“In Denmark and the broader Nordic region, demand for energy storage is shifting from simple grid-connection support to system services and flexibility resources. The market increasingly emphasizes system safety, full life-cycle services, and the ability to collaborate with grid operators. Chinese energy storage products are competitive in performance and delivery. If further alignment can be achieved in certification standards, after-sales systems, and localized technical support, their market penetration will be significantly strengthened.”

RJS Construction ApS - Chief Operating Officer (Denmark)

Robert Kraszewski

RJS Construction is a Danish engineering and EPC service provider involved in the construction and delivery of multiple renewable energy and energy storage projects across Europe.

“From an EPC perspective, European projects place greater emphasis on engineering feasibility and on-site adaptability. Energy storage systems must fully consider construction, commissioning, and O&M conditions during the design phase. Chinese companies perform strongly in modular design and manufacturing efficiency. If closer coordination can be established with local EPC teams, project delivery efficiency can be significantly improved while risks are better controlled.”

India:

Seeking Partners to Scale from Pilot Projects to Full Deployment

At the Energy Storage CEO Summit, representatives of Coca-Cola’s Indian bottling operations expressed clear interest in collaboration. Their purpose for attending was highly practical: “In India, energy storage is booming, so we want to explore this for our company.”

Their demand stems directly from the company’s energy transition efforts. They have already built dedicated solar power plants for their own operations, and their current focus is to use battery energy storage systems to replace grid electricity during peak hours, achieving a better balance between solar generation and energy storage.

Regarding cooperation, they outlined a clear roadmap: “Maybe we can start the pilot project in India. And once if we will find it good, we would scale it up in India and do a business over there with the help of China.” They also explicitly noted that they regard the China Energy Storage Alliance (CNESA) as an important support platform in this field and attended the summit specifically to seek connections through CNESA.

As a key prelude to the 14th Energy Storage International Conference & Expo (ESIE 2026), this year’s China Energy Storage CEO Summit delivered a clear message through its high level of international participation and practice-oriented agenda: the global market not only recognizes China’s manufacturing strength in energy storage, but also expects deeper collaboration across technology standards, ecosystem development, and long-term value creation.

As Chinese energy storage companies further integrate into the global energy system, a new ecosystem built on co-creation, co-development, and shared growth is taking shape. This is no longer merely about exporting products, but a collective journey of technologies, standards, and cooperative models going global together.

---

CENSA Upcoming Events:

Apr. 1-3, 2026 | The 14th Energy Storage International Conference & Expo

Register Now to attend, free before Dec 31, 2025.

Read more: https://en.cnesa.org/new-events-1/2026/4/1/apr-1-apr3-the-14th-energy-storage-international-exhibition-amp-expo

Countdown: 100 Days to Go! - ESIE 2026 Energy Storage Expo Announces First Batch of Exhibitors

Source: CNESA

---

The 14th Energy Storage International Conference & Expo (ESIE 2026) 

March 31 - April 3, 2026 

Capital International Exhibition & Convention Center, Beijing, China 

With just 100 days remaining until the opening of the 14th Energy Storage International Conference & Expo (ESIE 2026), anticipation across the industry continues to build. Momentum is accelerating, and companies are actively registering to exhibit.

As exhibitor recruitment enters its final countdown, this landmark event - designed to build industry consensus, drive technological innovation, and foster global exchange - warmly invites energy storage professionals worldwide to gather in Beijing.

Exhibition Overview

ESIE 2026 will feature 6 themed exhibition halls:

Energy Storage & Power Equipment Hall

Battery & Intelligent Manufacturing Hall

2 Energy Storage Application Halls

Battery & Materials, International Hall

Future Ecology Hall

In addition, 9 specialized zones will be set up, covering:

power equipment, zero-carbon industrial parks, data centers, EV charging infrastructure, fire safety, intelligent manufacturing, hydrogen energy, materials, and testing & certification.

Together, the exhibition comprehensively covers enterprises across the entire upstream and downstream energy storage industry chain.

Figure | Layout Plan of the 14th Energy Storage International Conference & Expo

A1 - Energy Storage & Power Equipment Hall

Well-known brands exhibiting include: HyperStrong, EVE Energy, Zhongqi New Energy, Pengcheng Infinite, CLOU, Zhongchu Guoneng, Great Power, Inpai Battery, Huadian Heavy Industries, Hongzheng Energy Storage, Chint Electrics, Guodian Nanjing Automation, Elecnova, Envicool, Qianye Technology, Tiansu, Futronics, Dafu Integrated Equipment Technology, UTL Electrical, Winsure Communication, Sanwo Liyuan, Fans-tech Electrical, Kait, Qingyuan HeYi, YNTECH, Regal Rexnord, and more.

A2 - Battery & Intelligent Manufacturing Hall

Exhibitors include: CATL, Soaring Electric, XYZ Storage, Kehua Digital Energy, Cornex, Sineng Electric, NR Electric, AlphaESS, Hopewind, Ampace, Nebula Electronics, Autowell, Gaodengsai Energy, RelyEZ, Phoenix Contact, Youxing Shark, Lead Technology, Iron Man Fire Fighting, RePower Technology, Kelvin New Energy, Huasi Systems, Ligoo New Energy, Zonzsin, Tangent, Xenbo Heat Sink, Ubetter, Yaliqu, Heidun Cloud, Luoweite, National Center for Advanced Energy Storage Product Quality Inspection & Testing, Balance Intelligent Fire, and others.

B1 - Energy Storage Application Hall

Participating companies include: CRRC Zhuzhou Institute, Gotion High-Tech, Goldwind, Huawei, Sunwoda, Hoymiles, Hithium, Ganfeng, KE Electric & Hisense, Pylontech, Zhiguang Energy Storage, Liangxin Electrical, Ancheng New Energy, Xingchen New Energy, Gold Electronic, TCL, PULSST, Advantech, Chuancheng Energy Storage, SAV, SGS-CSTC Standards, TYT, Xinyuan Tech, Enerflow, Hysea, Stif, TIG Technology, Candera, TYES Energy Storage, among others.

B2 - Energy Storage Application Hall

Exhibitors include: Sungrow, CALB, Narada, REPT BATTERO Energy, Robestec, Windey Energy, iPotisEdge, TONGFEI, Siyuan Electric, Dongfang Electric, InfyPower, Xiqing, HYXiPOWER, Kgooer, Xiamen Hongfa, Qualtech, REsource Electric, HIGEE, State Energy XinControl, Beijing Micro Control Industrial Gateway Technology, Rongke Power, BMSER, Sinofuse, Southern CIMC, EMKA (Tianjin), Lanrui Electric, Hecheng Smart Electric, ZONZEN, Kefa Electronics, and more.

B3 - Battery & Materials, International Hall

Exhibitors include: Shuangdeng Group, Megarevo, Concord New Energy, Kstar, GoodWe, ZTT, Wocheng, Sigenergy, German Pavilion, Suqian Times, CVC Testing, SHENG YANG Electric, Heyuan Magnetics, Shentong Mechanical & Electrical, TOPOS, Honghaisheng, Dianwei, Carbon Energy Technology, WILO SE, Cergen New Energy, Longxiang Rubber, Onpow Push Button, Hefei Zhiyou Electric, WSF, CHEVRON Electronic, and others.

B4 - Future Ecology Hall

Exhibitors include: Envision Storage, BYD, Trina Storage, Singularity Energy, Longking, CSG Energy Storage, Jinko, State Power Rixin Technology, Contemporary Nebula Energy Technology, iBatteryCloud, Gresgying, CSG Technology, Wincell, ESF Technology, Sino Group, and more.

One-Stop Access to Cross-Sector Energy Storage Innovations

Visitors can explore a wide range of integrated application scenarios, including:

Energy Storage + Industry: Steel, cement, chemicals, petroleum, aluminum, coal, oilfields, and more - discover how energy-intensive enterprises reduce costs and improve efficiency with storage solutions.

Energy Storage + Wind & Solar: BIPV storage, CIPV storage, source-grid-load-storage integration, PV-storage-DC-flexible systems - all solutions for coordinated renewable and storage development.

Energy Storage + Desert & Gobi Mega Bases: Wind-solar-storage bundled transmission, grid-forming storage, multi-energy complementarity (wind + solar + storage + coal/solar thermal), and ecological desert control - unlock efficient desert energy utilization.

Energy Storage + Zero-Carbon Parks / Green Power Direct Supply: Microgrids, distributed PV-storage consumption, dedicated green power lines, peak-valley arbitrage, emergency backup, and green power traceability - ensuring stable green electricity supply.

Energy Storage + Data Centers / Telecom Base Stations: Backup power, peak-valley arbitrage, off-grid power supply, and green power integration - supporting stable and cost-efficient digital infrastructure.

Smart Energy: Smart grids, microgrids, virtual power plants, distributed energy management systems, and energy IoT platforms - key tools for future energy management.

Energy Storage + Transportation: Vehicle-to-grid interaction, charging and swapping facilities, PV-storage-charging stations, EVs, electric heavy trucks, low-altitude economy, and new energy solutions for ports and airports.

Innovative Energy Storage Technologies: Hydrogen energy; chemical storage (sodium-ion, solid-state, aqueous, all-vanadium flow, etc.); physical storage (compressed air, flywheel, gravity, molten salt, etc.).

Preparations for ESIE 2026 have entered the full-scale sprint phase. The organizing committee is advancing all work in a coordinated and efficient manner to deliver a high-level professional exchange platform for the industry.

Exhibition booths are now in short supply, with only a limited number of premium locations remaining. Energy storage enterprises across the entire value chain are warmly invited to join ESIE 2026 - uniting around technological innovation, advancing industrial upgrading, and jointly shaping a high-quality future for the new energy storage industry.

Register Now to attend, free before Dec 31, 2025：

https://mailchi.mp/2a7b423a7efb/esie-2026-registration-socialmedia

New Installations Down 67% YoY: Analysis of China's User-Side New Energy Storage Projects in November

Source: CNESA

---

In November 2025, newly installed user-side new energy storage capacity in China recorded a year-on-year decline of over 65%.

Compared with October, the market structure showed notable adjustments:

Commercial and industrial (C&I) energy storage accounted for nearly 90%, while long-duration energy storage technologies accelerated deployment.

East China contributed more than half of newly commissioned capacity, with Fujian leading in installed capacity.

Although filing activity in traditional user-side markets (Zhejiang, Guangdong, Jiangsu) declined compared with the same period last year, overall demand remained higher year-on-year. Emerging markets such as Anhui, Henan, and Sichuan are becoming new growth engines driving the national user-side energy storage market.

Analysis of User-Side New Energy Storage Projects in November

In November, newly installed user-side capacity reached 185.27 MW / 555.83 MWh, representing -67% / -57% year-on-year, and -5% / +16% month-on-month. User-side new energy storage projects exhibited the following characteristics:

(1) Installed Capacity by Application

In November, the user-side energy storage market continued to be dominated by C&I applications, accounting for nearly 90% of total installations. Newly installed C&I capacity reached 163.9 MW / 541.3 MWh, -68% / -58% year-on-year, and -9% / +15% month-on-month.

The largest data center user-side energy storage project in Zhejiang was officially commissioned. Rapid development of AI data centers (AIDC) and intelligent computing centers is driving growth in user-side energy storage demand.

From a technology perspective, all newly commissioned projects adopted electrochemical energy storage technologies. Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries accounted for over 99% of installed power capacity. In terms of long-duration storage, one 8-hour, 202 MWh lithium-based C&I energy storage project and one 8-hour, 2 MWh all-vanadium redox flow battery project were completed and put into operation.

Figure 1: Application Distribution of Newly Commissioned User-Side New Energy Storage Projects in November 2025 (MW%)

Data Source: CNESA DataLink Global Energy Storage Database

https://www.esresearch.com.cn/

Note: “C&I” includes industrial facilities, industrial parks, and commercial buildings. “Others” include mining areas, oilfields, remote regions, and municipal institutions, etc.

(2) Regional Distribution of User-Side Energy Storage

By region, newly commissioned projects were mainly distributed across 11 provinces, including Fujian, Guangdong, Hebei, Anhui, and Zhejiang. East China led the market in November, accounting for 52% of newly installed capacity and 39% of total projects, ranking first nationwide in both installed scale and number of commissioned projects.

At the provincial level, Fujian recorded the largest share of newly installed power capacity, exceeding 25%, while Hebei led in newly installed energy capacity, accounting for 40%. Guangdong had the highest number of newly commissioned projects, representing over 18%, ranking first nationwide.

Fujian hosts a high concentration of energy-intensive industries such as steel and chemicals, where demand for peak shaving, valley filling, and backup power is strong. In addition, diversified application scenarios - including integrated PV-storage-charging systems and virtual power plant aggregation - are being increasingly developed, leaving substantial growth potential for the user-side energy storage market.

From an industrial and supply chain perspective, Fujian is home to the country's largest lithium battery R&D and manufacturing base, with lithium battery production capacity ranking among the national leaders. Driven by leading energy storage companies, a complete local supply chain has been established for core components such as cells, PCS, BMS, and EMS, effectively reducing overall system costs. Moreover, Fujian supports energy storage project financing through green credit and industrial funds, covering multiple project types including pumped hydro storage and new energy storage.

Figure 2: Provincial Distribution of Newly Operating User-Side New Energy Storage Projects in China, November 2025

Data Source: CNESA DataLink Global Energy Storage Database

https://www.esresearch.com.cn/

(3) Filed User-Side Energy Storage Projects

Based on project filings, national user-side market demand in November exceeded the level of the same period last year, with differentiated regional adjustments. Nationwide, both the total scale and number of newly filed user-side projects in November were higher year-on-year, up 8% and 5%, respectively. However, filing activity in traditional markets - Zhejiang, Guangdong, and Jiangsu - declined compared with last year.

Across these three provinces, a total of 497 new projects were filed, down 47% year-on-year, while energy capacity declined 7% year-on-year.

Guangdong recorded the highest number of newly filed projects, but project count fell 25% year-on-year, and scale declined 73%.

Zhejiang saw the largest drop in project count, down 65% year-on-year, with scale decreasing 34%.

Jiangsu recorded a 48% year-on-year decline in project count, but project scale increased 6%.

In November, Jiangsu ranked first nationwide in newly filed project scale. The average project size was approximately twice that of the same period last year, indicating a shift in user-side energy storage development from small-scale, distributed projects toward large-scale, centralized investments in high-quality application scenarios.

Meanwhile, Anhui, Henan, and Sichuan collectively added 440 newly filed projects, up 89% year-on-year and 47% month-on-month, accounting for about 38% of the national total, 5 percentage points higher than in October. Emerging user-side markets represented by Anhui, Henan, and Sichuan are rapidly releasing growth potential and are expected to become new engines driving nationwide user-side energy storage market growth.

Figure 3: Monthly Distribution of Newly Filed Energy Storage Project Scale in Zhejiang, Guangdong, and Jiangsu (January - November 2025)

Data Source: CNESA DataLink Global Energy Storage Database

https://www.esresearch.com.cn/

Overall Analysis of New Energy Storage Projects in November

According to incomplete statistics from CNESA, in November 2025, newly commissioned new energy storage projects in China totaled 3.51 GW / 11.18 GWh, representing -22% / -7% year-on-year, and +81% / +180% month-on-month. While monthly additions continued to decline year-on-year, cumulative newly installed capacity in the first eleven months reached 39.5 GW, up 28% year-on-year. Considering the potential for concentrated grid connections ahead of the “12.30” commissioning deadline, total new installations for the year are expected to exceed last year's level.

Figure 4: Installed Capacity of Newly Operating New Energy Storage Projects in China, January - November 2025

Data Source: CNESA DataLink Global Energy Storage Database

https://www.esresearch.com.cn/

Note: Year-on-year comparisons are based on the same period of the previous year; month-on-month comparisons are based on the immediately preceding statistical period.

The China Energy Storage Alliance (CNESA) has consistently adhered to standardized, timely, and comprehensive information collection practices to continuously track developments in energy storage projects. Leveraging its long-term data accumulation and in-depth professional analysis, CNESA regularly publishes objective market analyses on installed energy storage capacity, providing valuable references for industry decision-making. Since June 2025, the monthly energy storage project analysis has been divided into two sections: “Grid&Source-Side Market” and “User-Side Market”. This issue focuses on interpreting the user-side market in November.

---

CENSA Upcoming Events:

Apr. 1-3, 2026 | The 14th Energy Storage International Conference & Expo

Register Now to attend, free before Dec 31, 2025.

Read more: https://en.cnesa.org/new-events-1/2026/4/1/apr-1-apr3-the-14th-energy-storage-international-exhibition-amp-expo

Major Report Released: Research on Business Models for the Development of Distributed Energy Storage

On December 16, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the China Energy Storage Alliance (CNESA) jointly held a seminar in Beijing and officially released the report “Research on Business Models for the Development of Distributed Energy Storage.”

Experts participating in the seminar included Wang Shuyang, Deputy Director of the Supply–Demand Interaction Division of the Energy Consumption Research Institute at the China Electric Power Research Institute; Peng Kuankuan, Deputy General Manager of Domestic Marketing at Shanghai Pylon Technology Co., Ltd.; Gao Zhiyuan, Marketing Director of XYZ Storage (Beijing) Co., Ltd.; and Zhang Mingjun, Project Manager and Deputy Dean of the Virtual Power Plant Research Institute at Shanxi Fengxing Measurement & Control Co., Ltd., among others.

Distributed energy storage refers to small-scale energy storage systems deployed on the user side (such as households, factories, and shopping malls), on the distribution network side, or near distributed renewable energy sources. Compared with centralized energy storage, individual distributed storage projects are relatively small in scale, and overall growth has been slower than that of centralized storage.

However, as China further strengthens requirements for the local consumption of renewable energy, distributed energy storage is gradually becoming a key solution to addressing challenges related to nearby renewable energy absorption. Distributed energy storage can store surplus electricity locally, smooth output fluctuations, and significantly improve local renewable energy self-consumption rates and distribution network hosting capacity.

The report “Research on Business Models for the Development of Distributed Energy Storage” analyzes the current business models and major challenges facing distributed energy storage in China. Drawing on international experience and China’s power market development status, the report explores potential directions for business model innovation and proposes recommendations for improving supporting mechanisms.

📎 Report access link:
https://www.esresearch.com.cn/pdf/get_watermark/?id=418&type=report&file=remark_file

In recent years, driven by the declining construction and operating costs of new-type energy storage, the large-scale development and utilization of distributed energy resources, and a series of supportive policy measures, the development of distributed energy storage in China has accelerated significantly. From 2019 to the first three quarters of 2025, China’s cumulative installed capacity of distributed energy storage increased by more than fivefold, rising from 570 MW to 3,638 MW. Six major application scenarios have taken shape, including commercial and industrial (C&I) energy storage, distributed photovoltaic (PV) plus storage, green power direct supply, distribution transformer area energy storage , virtual power plants (VPPs), and energy storage paired with EV charging and battery swapping stations.

Among these, C&I energy storage is the most mature application scenario, primarily relying on time-of-use (TOU) electricity price arbitrage. However, its economic performance is highly sensitive to provincial peak–valley price spread policies. Distributed PV plus storage can be divided into source-side and load-side configurations: source-side projects are typically full-grid-connection projects that mainly participate in market-based electricity trading, while load-side systems are primarily used to improve self-consumption rates and capture TOU price arbitrage opportunities. Green power direct supply projects include both grid-connected and off-grid models. In grid-connected projects, energy storage serves dual functions by reducing renewable energy curtailment and enabling TOU price arbitrage, whereas in off-grid projects, storage plays a combined role in minimizing curtailment and ensuring power supply reliability. distribution transformer area energy storage focuses on dynamic capacity expansion and is mostly implemented as grid-led demonstration projects. Virtual power plants enhance system flexibility by aggregating distributed energy storage resources and participating in demand response, energy markets, and ancillary service markets. Energy storage deployed at EV charging and battery swapping stations primarily targets transformer capacity expansion and peak–valley price arbitrage. Overall, however, distributed energy storage business models in China remain at an exploratory stage and face multiple challenges, including insufficient policy continuity, limited and single revenue streams, incomplete safety standards and operation & maintenance systems, and the absence of effective cost recovery mechanisms.

To enhance the utilization rate and economic performance of distributed energy storage, and to promote its diversified and market-oriented development, the report recommends that during the period 2025–2027, priority should be given to reasonably widening time-of-use (TOU) electricity price peak–valley spreads, improving demand response mechanisms, strengthening safety standards, and enhancing fiscal and tax support, so as to ensure basic project revenues and safe operation of distributed energy storage systems. During the period 2028–2030, efforts should focus on deepening power market reforms, including improving dynamic TOU pricing adjustment mechanisms, promoting the participation of distributed energy storage in spot electricity markets, and exploring the monetization of capacity value and ancillary service value of distributed energy storage. At the same time, greater emphasis should be placed on unlocking the environmental value potential of distributed energy storage in areas such as green electricity, green certificates, and carbon markets, with the ultimate goal of establishing diversified revenue streams and comprehensively enhancing the economic viability and market competitiveness of distributed energy storage.

Liu Wei, Secretary General of the China Energy Storage Alliance (CNESA), stated that distributed energy storage, as a critical link connecting power generation, the grid, and end users, is gradually transitioning from pilot demonstrations to large-scale deployment, and has become an important driving force for energy transition, enhancing grid flexibility, and improving user-side power resilience. However, distributed energy storage still faces challenges such as limited application scenarios, imperfect market mechanisms, and immature business models. CNESA will continue to leverage its platform advantages to promote the integration of policy, technology, and markets, and work together with all stakeholders to build a sound industrial ecosystem for the development of distributed energy storage, thereby supporting the achievement of China’s dual-carbon goals.

Experts from the IEEE PES International Subcommittee on Electrical Energy Storage Markets and Planning noted that, with continued improvements in technology, economics, and safety, distributed energy storage will see widespread deployment during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, and will play a key supporting role in the development of China’s new power system and the enhancement of overall national competitiveness.Looking ahead, the future development of distributed energy storage will increasingly focus on its core value attributes, fully leveraging its technical advantages and value potential to support the safe and stable construction of localized power grids, and gradually evolving from the traditional single arbitrage-based model toward source–load interaction models.

According to the expert, the evolution of distributed energy storage will exhibit five major characteristics:

First, market-oriented development.
Future investments in distributed energy storage will be increasingly market-driven and more diversified. Market participants will include renewable energy investors, load-side enterprises, as well as financial institutions such as securities firms, funds, and trusts.

Second, diversification of technology pathways.
Driven by requirements related to economic viability and safety, technologies such as sodium-ion batteries and vanadium redox flow batteries are expected to develop in parallel, resulting in a diversified technological landscape.

Third, microgrid integration.
Following the introduction of policies supporting green power direct supply, localized distribution networks are being deployed more extensively. In the future, local wind and solar resources will be integrated into comprehensive energy microgrid systems, with distributed energy storage playing a smoothing role to enhance system safety and stability.

Fourth, enhanced convenience.
Distributed energy storage systems are typically smaller in capacity and are often deployed using temporary building structures, featuring modular designs that enable faster installation, easier maintenance, and advantages in mobility and scalability.

Fifth, AI-driven operation.
By integrating local energy balance data into control platforms and enabling interaction with energy storage systems, combined with weather and load variations, AI-based deployment can be used to forecast future loads, achieve localized microgrid balancing and regulation, and continuously optimize system performance.

When discussing how to address the development challenges of distribution transformer area energy storage, the expert emphasized that the first priority should be to enhance the safety of energy storage systems and establish corresponding standards and operational guidelines, enabling grid operators to carry out operation and maintenance in a regulated and standardized manner, while also mobilizing investment enthusiasm across society. In addition, the overall beneficiaries of Taqu energy storage deployment include local users, local governments, and society as a whole. Users benefit from high-quality, stable, and sufficient electricity supply; local governments enhance their ability to attract investment by strengthening power supply security; and society benefits from the clean, low-carbon, and secure development of the power system. Therefore, it is recommended that grid companies be encouraged to regularly publish demand for Taqu energy storage, and, under the premise of government-backed public welfare investment mechanisms (such as capacity payments or subsidies), promote diversified investment. Ultimately, this approach would form socialized assets maintained and operated by grid companies or their professional entities, achieving a shared investment and benefit distribution mechanism that benefits the state, government, enterprises, and individuals alike.

Wang Shuyang, Deputy Director of the Supply–Demand Interaction Division at the Energy Consumption Research Institute of the China Electric Power Research Institute, pointed out that the proportion of distributed energy storage participating in system operation through virtual power plants (VPPs) remains relatively low at present. There are two main reasons for this situation. First, the volume of energy storage resources aggregated by virtual power plants is still limited. Second, user-side energy storage systems are typically located within user premises and often lack independent metering devices. As a result, during statistical accounting, these systems are frequently classified as either generation sources or loads, making it difficult to separately identify and account for them as distributed energy storage.

In terms of market participation, Wang Shuyang explained that virtual power plants currently mainly participate in the energy market, peak-shaving market, and demand response programs, while Hubei Province has also explored participation in secondary frequency regulation. In the spot electricity market, provinces such as Shanxi, Shandong, Ningxia, and Fujian have already carried out pilot practices. For example, Shanxi has enabled virtual power plants to earn revenue from their regulation activities by relaxing medium- and long-term contract constraints. Regarding peak-shaving ancillary services, the North China region has launched regional peak-shaving ancillary services since November, with the Jibei Integrated Energy Virtual Power Plant demonstrating strong participation performance. Meanwhile, Zhejiang Province conducted normalized response regulation for new market entities during this year’s summer peak period.

Wang Shuyang emphasized that, as a high-quality flexibility resource, distributed energy storage inevitably needs to participate in the power market through aggregation mechanisms such as virtual power plants. This approach not only reduces decision-making costs for individual resources, but also enables numerous small-scale distributed energy storage units to collectively meet market access thresholds, thereby generating economies of scale and enhancing bargaining power in the electricity market.

He further noted that distributed energy storage could continue to explore participation in additional ancillary services, such as frequency regulation and voltage regulation, in the future. Compared with standalone energy storage, distributed energy storage may face cost pressures in the application of grid-forming technologies, which calls for technological breakthroughs to enable lightweight, standardized mass production, so as to better realize its regulation capabilities. At the policy and regulatory level, Wang Shuyang highlighted the need to promote the installation of independent metering for distributed energy storage systems, facilitating accurate measurement and settlement in a market-based environment. In addition, due to the highly decentralized nature of distributed energy storage, achieving effective coordination with grid operations requires the application of AI technologies to optimize decision-making and fully leverage the regulation potential of distributed energy storage resources.

Peng Kuankuan, Deputy General Manager of Domestic Marketing at Shanghai Pylon Technology Co., Ltd., pointed out that the business models of distributed energy storage mainly include time-of-use (TOU) price arbitrage, virtual power plants (VPPs), and demand-side response. Among these, the TOU peak–valley arbitrage model is relatively stable, while revenue streams from other models still face significant uncertainty. From the perspective of the current overall market environment, distributed energy storage on the user side exhibits a high degree of decentralization, a characteristic that determines the diversity of its application scenarios. He emphasized that across different scenarios, the most important missions of distributed energy storage are to reduce costs for customers, ensure the reliability and security of electricity supply, and achieve effective coordination with green power.

Peng Kuankuan noted that in recent years, data centers have become a key area of focus for the energy storage industry. Although data center energy storage has been deployed in China for many years, practical operation still faces challenges related to policy frameworks, electricity pricing, and safety, with safety concerns being particularly prominent among data center owners and tenants.

In the past, data center energy storage largely followed the logic of commercial and industrial energy storage. However, current application scenarios are gradually expanding to support multiple functions, including:

1. reducing data center carbon emissions through the use of green electricity;

2. lowering electricity costs through peak shaving and valley filling, while paying close attention to capacity charges and safety issues;

3. serving as backup power; and

4. smoothing short-term peak load fluctuations, especially as AI data centers become more widespread.

Peng Kuankuan also highlighted telecom base station energy storage as a highly promising application scenario. China has a vast number of telecom base stations—over ten million nationwide—with relatively concentrated customers, mainly the three major telecom operators and China Tower, making the business model easier to implement. This year, his company has supplied power to base stations through “distributed PV + energy storage” solutions and carried out peak shaving and valley filling practices. From an economic perspective, this model has demonstrated relatively stable returns. More importantly, given the large number of base stations, effective coordination between energy storage systems and base stations could unlock substantial dispatchable resources and achieve considerable aggregate scale.

Peng Kuankuan further pointed out that whether distributed energy storage business models can achieve breakthroughs in the short term depends on two key factors: policy and technology. From a policy perspective, the framework of market mechanisms is expected to become clearer over the next three years, although overall maturity will remain limited; over a longer time horizon, the outlook is more optimistic. From a technology perspective, the continued decline in energy storage costs will accelerate the maturation of business models, which has also been a key driver behind the industry’s rapid growth in the past. Regarding safety considerations, he noted that grid companies are more concerned with the reliability of response rather than the intrinsic safety of individual devices. As distributed energy storage consists of decentralized terminal resources that typically participate in dispatch through virtual aggregators, grid operators do not directly control these devices. Therefore, safety concerns do not undermine grid confidence in dispatch, and the safety performance of mainstream battery technologies is already sufficient to meet current application requirements.

Gao Zhiyuan, Marketing Director of XYZ Storage (Beijing) Co., Ltd., stated that following the release of the basic operating rules for the power market, the most significant change has been the formal recognition of energy storage as a distinct market entity. Previously, energy storage mainly played a supporting role within the power system; going forward, its more important role will be that of a flexible regulation resource. With the identity of energy storage clarified, various regions have introduced corresponding pilot and demonstration policies. For example, Guangdong Province released the Implementation Rules for the Operation and Management of Virtual Power Plants in Guangdong (Trial), under which virtual power plants aggregating distributed energy storage have begun participating in frequency regulation and peak-shaving ancillary services of the Guangdong power grid. In August this year, Zhejiang Province issued the Implementation Rules for Market-Oriented Response of New Market Entities in the Power Sector of Zhejiang (Trial), enabling energy storage systems deployed in certain projects to participate in virtual power plant bidding, fully demonstrating the flexibility of energy storage and its capability to participate in electricity markets. Shandong Province has also introduced relevant policies supporting the participation of distributed energy storage in capacity compensation mechanisms and power trading. Under the encouragement of national and local policies, as well as support from state-owned capital and private investment, distributed energy storage has begun to participate in the power market as an independent entity. Its revenue structure has evolved from a single electricity price spread model to a diversified combination of market-based trading, ancillary services, and targeted local subsidies, with these cases serving as effective demonstrations for broader replication. However, Gao Zhiyuan emphasized that transforming these pilot projects into widespread market practices will still require joint efforts from both government and industry, as well as full utilization of market-based adjustment mechanisms. For instance, policy adjustments have created certain challenges for photovoltaic projects, and many commissioned distributed PV systems are facing returns below expectations. By retrofitting these projects with an appropriate proportion of energy storage, it is possible to optimize the overall electricity price structure and improve project returns.

Drawing on the company’s practical project experience, Gao Zhiyuan introduced the application of distributed energy storage across different scenarios. He pointed out that distributed energy storage can effectively address “source–load interaction”, and that future development should focus on the load side, with in-depth analysis of specific scenarios. Beyond electricity price-related revenues, it is necessary to explore additional value streams and marginal benefits. In the data center scenario, this involves not only understanding electricity consumption characteristics and distribution system structures, but also addressing safety and space constraints. Data centers have a rigid demand for backup power as well as for energy storage. By leveraging electricity price differentials and regulation-induced fluctuations to capture marginal arbitrage value, energy storage can achieve an integrated “backup-plus-storage” model. In the telecom base station sector, base stations require backup power and consume large amounts of electricity, while communication reliability is particularly critical during extreme weather events. Energy storage can enhance power supply reliability while also enabling energy storage and dispatch functions. This model is expected to create new application scenarios that meet essential operational needs while generating additional marginal value, thereby stimulating investment enthusiasm across the industry.

Zhang Mingjun, Project Manager and Deputy Dean of the Virtual Power Plant Research Institute at Shanxi Fengxing Measurement & Control Co., Ltd., explained that at present, distributed energy storage participates in electricity trading mainly through aggregation by virtual power plants (VPPs), involving medium- and long-term transactions and spot markets in the wholesale market, as well as demand response and peak-shaving ancillary services. However, in many regions, regulations stipulate that a virtual power plant can obtain only one source of revenue for the same regulation capability during the same time period. For example, in Shanxi Province, a VPP’s regulation capacity during a given time period can participate in only one market—either conventional electricity retail combined with demand response, or the electricity spot market.

Zhang Mingjun expects that distributed energy storage will experience significant development in terms of technology, markets, and business models in the future. At the technological level, progress will primarily rely on “AI+” applications to achieve more accurate load forecasting and electricity price forecasting, enabling distributed energy storage charging and discharging strategies to better align with price signals. From a market perspective, the profit potential of distributed energy storage is expected to expand further. In addition to participating in wholesale market transactions through VPPs to capture price spreads between medium- and long-term contracts and the spot market, distributed energy storage will also be able to generate revenue by participating in deep peak-shaving or reserve ancillary services. In addition, capacity markets are currently being piloted. Shanxi Province is exploring mechanisms whereby virtual power plants aggregate the total capacity of distributed energy storage to participate in capacity market transactions, providing long-term capacity support to the power system and thereby obtaining capacity compensation or leasing revenues. In terms of business models, Zhang Mingjun emphasized that traditional calculation models based solely on peak–valley price arbitrage will be completely phased out, and that distributed energy storage business models will evolve toward becoming true carriers of energy value. From a long-term perspective, this transformation will promote the healthy and sustainable development of the industry, as the real value of energy storage lies not merely in behind-the-meter peak–valley arbitrage, but in its ability—through virtual power plant aggregation—to provide flexibility and reliability support to the power system on the grid side. Under previous mechanisms, such flexibility was difficult to price and trade in a rational and effective manner.

Huang Hui, Senior Program Manager of the Energy Transition Program at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), stated that with the development of distributed renewable energy and diversified loads, the value of distributed energy storage is becoming increasingly multidimensional. At present, driven by policies promoting market access for distributed resources, local consumption of renewable energy, and the expanded use of green electricity across industries, distributed energy storage is transitioning from a simple commercial and industrial peak–valley arbitrage model toward serving as a supporting unit for distributed renewable energy integration—including smoothing output fluctuations and improving self-consumption rates—as well as a grid-supporting micro-regulation unit. From a technical perspective, distributed energy storage systems are required to evolve toward grid-forming capabilities and intelligent operation, with further improvements needed in response speed and control accuracy. At the same time, operational logic is gradually shifting from simple charging and discharging strategies to dynamic optimization across multiple markets.

Huang Hui noted that in terms of specific application scenarios, recent developments in green power direct supply, zero-carbon industrial parks, and data centers have significantly driven the rapid growth of distributed energy storage. This is primarily because these new policies set explicit requirements for on-site consumption of green electricity. For example, policies for zero-carbon industrial parks stipulate that electricity demand within such parks should be met primarily through direct supply of green power, with the direct supply ratio generally required to be no less than 50%. These application scenarios also impose high requirements for power supply reliability, and the rigid demand for stable and green electricity has become a key driver of distributed energy storage deployment. In addition, as market mechanisms gradually open up on the user side, revenue diversification has become another critical factor promoting the development of distributed energy storage. For instance, by aggregating distributed energy storage resources into virtual power plants, projects can participate in spot markets, frequency regulation, and reserve services, thereby increasing the revenues of individual projects. Meanwhile, the logic of power supply and consumption is shifting from a focus on electricity volume to an emphasis on power quality. In the future, different customers will have differentiated requirements for supply reliability and power quality levels. Distributed energy storage—particularly distribution transformer area (Taqu) energy storage—can achieve cost recovery by providing more reliable electricity and charging differentiated power quality service fees.

Huang Hui further emphasized that grid-side standalone energy storage and distributed energy storage each have their own advantages. For example, in frequency regulation, standalone energy storage features fast response, stable capacity, and more precise and controllable single-point regulation, resulting in higher suitability. Distributed energy storage, when aggregated into virtual power plants, is affected by factors such as communication constraints of dispersed resources and limited adjustable margins, leading to relatively lower adaptability and requiring technological upgrades to participate efficiently. However, distributed energy storage demonstrates greater advantages in managing distribution network congestion. Through the coordination of distributed energy storage and flexible loads across multiple nodes, virtual power plants can provide targeted solutions to distribution network congestion, highlighting a key system-level value that complements standalone energy storage.

---

CENSA Upcoming Events:

Apr. 1-3, 2026 | The 14th Energy Storage International Conference & Expo

Register Now to attend, free before Dec 31, 2025.

Read more: https://en.cnesa.org/new-events-1/2026/4/1/apr-1-apr3-the-14th-energy-storage-international-exhibition-amp-expo

Envision AESC’s Sunderland Gigafactory Commences Operations, Accelerating Europe’s Green Energy Transition

On December 16 (local time), Envision AESC, a global leader in battery technology, announced the commencement of operations at its Sunderland battery gigafactory in the United Kingdom.
With an initial planned capacity of 15.8 GWh, the facility is expected to supply high-quality battery products for over 200,000 electric vehicles annually, serving leading automakers such as Nissan. The plant is now the largest operational battery manufacturing facility in the UK.

Public information shows that Envision AESC has been operating in the UK for more than a decade. In 2012, the company’s first Sunderland battery plant began production, becoming one of the earliest large-scale power battery manufacturing facilities in Europe.

The launch of the new gigafactory marks a further deepening of Envision AESC’s strategic presence in the UK. It will not only strongly support the rapidly growing demand for electric vehicles in the UK and across Europe, but also provide a solid foundation for the localized expansion and market leadership of Envision’s energy storage business, injecting strong momentum into the UK’s 2030 Clean Power Action Plan.

As one of the leading players in the UK energy storage market in terms of both order volume and project delivery, Envision has successfully deployed multiple energy storage projects locally. Leveraging its strengths in AI-driven power system solutions, AI-enabled energy storage systems, and deep insight into the UK electricity market, the company has secured several major energy storage contracts this year.

Among them, the Carrington Energy Storage Project, developed in partnership with Statera Energy, with a capacity of 680 MW / 1,360 MWh, is the largest single energy storage project in the UK and is widely regarded as a cornerstone of the country’s next-generation power system.
In addition, Envision has partnered with UK clean energy company Field to supply energy storage systems for two projects in Scotland. Its Welkin Road energy storage project has also successfully passed the UK’s stringent G99 grid connection tests, achieving full grid connection and delivery—further demonstrating Envision’s strong grid-integration capabilities and technological leadership.

As one of the earliest and most globally integrated battery technology companies, Envision AESC has established 14 battery manufacturing facilities across six countries worldwide.
In 2025 alone, the company has brought into operation three overseas facilities: the Douai plant in France, an energy storage production line in Tennessee, USA, and the new Sunderland gigafactory in the UK. These milestones highlight Envision AESC’s exceptional global operations and large-scale delivery capabilities, contributing significantly to the global transition toward a zero-carbon future.

---

CENSA Upcoming Events:

Apr. 1-3, 2026 | The 14th Energy Storage International Conference & Expo

Register Now to attend, free before Dec 31, 2025.

Read more: https://en.cnesa.org/new-events-1/2026/4/1/apr-1-apr3-the-14th-energy-storage-international-exhibition-amp-expo

MoM Surge of 90%! Grid&Source-Side Energy Storage Rebounds Sharply in November, with Full-Year Scale Expected to Exceed Last Year

Source: CNESA

---

After a phase adjustment in China's new-type energy storage market in October 2025, the commissioning scale of new-type energy storage in November declined slightly year on year but rebounded markedly month on month. Meanwhile, the market's deeper structure adjusted compared with October:

Market recovery with a positive long-term outlook: Although installed capacity in November declined year on year, the month-on-month increase was significant. Newly added installations in the first 11 months reached nearly 40 GW, up more than 25% year on year, and full-year additions are expected to exceed last year.

Accelerated deployment of independent storage: In November, independent energy storage accounted for over 70%, with month-on-month growth rates exceeding 80% in power capacity and 200% in energy capacity. Inner Mongolia recorded more than 1.1 GW of newly commissioned independent storage, ranking first nationwide in both power and energy capacity.

Rise of local energy groups: Newly added installations by local energy groups reached a 45% share, surpassing for the first time the “Five Major and Six Minor” power generation groups and the “third-party enterprises”, highlighting a further diversification of market investors.

Faster rollout of diversified technologies: Beyond mainstream lithium batteries, technologies such as compressed air, flow batteries, and flywheels are being deployed at an accelerated pace, supporting the industry's long-term development.

Overall Analysis of New-Type Energy Storage Projects in November

According to incomplete statistics from CNESA, in November 2025 China commissioned a total of 3.51 GW / 11.18 GWh of new-type energy storage projects, representing -22% / -7% year on year and +81% / +180% month on month. While monthly additions continued to decline year on year in November, cumulative additions in the first 11 months reached 39.5 GW, up 28% year on year. Considering potential concentrated grid connections ahead of the “12.30” commissioning deadline, total additions for the year are expected to exceed last year.

Figure 1. Installed Capacity of Newly Commissioned New-Type Energy Storage Projects in China, Jan-Nov 2025

Data source: CNESA DataLink Global Energy Storage Database

https://www.esresearch.com.cn/

Note: Year-on-year (YoY) compares the same period last year; month-on-month (MoM) compares the previous statistical period.

Analysis of Grid&Source-Side New-Type Energy Storage Projects in November

In November, newly added grid&source-side installations totaled 3.32 GW / 10.62 GWh, -15% / -1% year on year and +90% / +202% month on month. 

Key characteristics include:

Newly added Independent storage accounted for 72%, down 6 percentage points from October.

Independent storage additions reached 2.41 GW / 8.19 GWh, -9% / +11% year on year and +82% / +217% month on month, with projects of 100 MW or above accounting for 79% by number.

Power-generation-side additions were 853.3 MW / 2,322.1 MWh, -33% / -31% year on year and +99% / +148% month on month. Renewable-plus-storage projects accounted for 98% of power capacity, covering multiple application scenarios such as UHV DC projects, agrivoltaics, and pastoral-solar hybrid systems.

Figure 2. Application Breakdown of Newly Commissioned Grid&Source-Side Energy Storage Projects in Nov. 2025 (MW%)

Data source: CNESA DataLink Global Energy Storage Database

https://www.esresearch.com.cn/

Note: “Others” include substations, emergency power supply, etc.

Northwest Leads with Over 40% Share; Inner Mongolia Ranks First

In November, the Northwest region accounted for 43% of newly added capacity, ranking first nationwide. Combined additions in the Northwest and Southwest exceeded half of the national total.

By province, the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region saw multiple Independent grid-side demonstration projects commissioned - such as those included in the 2025 New-Type Energy Storage Special Action Implementation Project List and the first batch of Independent storage construction projects - totaling over 1.1 GW with an average storage duration of 4 hours, ranking first nationwide in both power and energy capacity. Xinjiang, Gansu, and Ningxia followed closely.

As a key national energy and strategic resource base in China, Inner Mongolia had surpassed 150 GW of installed renewable capacity by the end of October 2025, ranking first nationwide. Wind and solar accounted for over 80% of new installed capacity, further solidifying their dominant role (data source: Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Energy Bureau). From the perspective of consumption, approximately 80% of renewable generation is consumed locally, with around 20% exported. The combined pressure of local consumption and grid stabilization continues to drive demand for new-type energy storage.

Figure 3. Regional Distribution of Newly Commissioned Grid&Source-Side Energy Storage Projects in China, November 2025 (MW%)

Source: CNESA Datalink Global Energy Storage Database

https://www.esresearch.com.cn/

Figure 4. Provincial Distribution of Newly Commissioned Grid&Source-Side Energy Storage Projects in China, November 2025 (MW%)

Source: CNESA Datalink Global Energy Storage Database

https://www.esresearch.com.cn/

Faster Deployment by Local Energy Groups Highlights Investor Diversification

Driven by rising market demand, supportive national policies, diversified technology pathways, and declining costs, the market potential of energy storage is being fully released, with increasing investor diversification.

In November, projects invested in and built by local energy groups such as Xinjiang Energy Group, Xinjiang Zhongyuan Power Group, and Shenergy Group were commissioned in succession. Local energy groups accounted for 45% of newly added power capacity - the highest among all enterprise types - contrasting sharply with September and October, when third-party enterprises and the “Five Major and Six Minor” power generation groups dominated.

Leveraging advantages in policy coordination and approvals, resource integration and location, business linkage and industrial chain synergy, capital strength and decision-making efficiency, and operations, local energy groups have become a key pillar of the new-type energy storage market. Meanwhile, third-party enterprises - such as joint entities involving Conch New Energy and CATL, and Inner Mongolia Zhongdian Energy Storage - maintained a high level of participation, accounting for over 30% of monthly additions. The “Five Major and Six Minor” power generation groups (including China Huaneng, SPIC, and China Huadian) accounted for 22%, down 9 percentage points from October, continuing the decline seen since August.

Figure 5. Owner Distribution of Newly Commissioned Grid&Source-Side Energy Storage Projects in China, November 2025 (MW%)

Data source: CNESA DataLink Global Energy Storage Database

https://www.esresearch.com.cn/

Note: “Third-party enterprises” refer to entities other than large state-owned generation groups, the two grid companies, two construction groups and local energy companies.

Accelerated Deployment of Non-Lithium Technologies

Technologically, newly commissioned grid&source-side projects were dominated by lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, accounting for 91% of power capacity, followed by lead-carbon batteries (6%) and flow batteries (3%).

From a project development perspective, non-lithium technologies such as compressed air energy storage and hybrid systems are accelerating, highlighting a trend toward diversified technology pathways.

In compressed air storage, multiple 300 MW-class projects have completed filings and entered the planning stage; the Golmud 60 MW liquid air energy storage demonstration project and the Yumen 300 MW compressed air energy storage demonstration project have entered commissioning.

For hybrid storage, multiple 100 MW-class demonstration projects have launched or completed tenders, with some under construction or advancing, involving combinations such as lithium + sodium-ion batteries, lithium + flow batteries, lithium + flywheels, and lithium + nickel-metal hydride batteries.

Figure 6. Technology Distribution of Newly Planned and Under-Construction Grid&Source-Side Energy Storage Projects in China, November 2025 (MW%)

Source: CNESA Datalink Global Energy Storage Database

https://www.esresearch.com.cn/

The China Energy Storage Alliance (CNESA) has consistently adhered to standardized, timely, and comprehensive information collection practices to continuously track developments in energy storage projects. Leveraging its long-term data accumulation and in-depth professional analysis, CNESA regularly publishes objective market analyses on installed energy storage capacity, providing valuable references for industry decision-making. Since June 2025, the monthly energy storage project analysis has been divided into two sections: “Grid&Source-Side Market” and “User-Side Market”. This issue focuses on interpreting the grid&source-side market in November.

---

CENSA Upcoming Events:

Apr. 1-3, 2026 | The 14th Energy Storage International Conference & Expo

Register Now to attend, free before Dec 31, 2025.

Read more: https://en.cnesa.org/new-events-1/2026/4/1/apr-1-apr3-the-14th-energy-storage-international-exhibition-amp-expo

Year-End Review 2025 | Chen Haisheng: China's New-Type Energy Storage Installed Capacity Surpasses 100 GW - How to Move from “Scale Expansion” to “High-Quality Development”?

Source: Economic View

---

Chen Haisheng

Director, Energy Storage Specialized Committee, China Energy Research Society

Chairman, China Energy Storage Alliance (CNESA)

Director, Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences

According to data from the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), China's nationwide installed capacity of new-type energy storage has exceeded 100 GW, more than 30 times the level at the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan period.

Driven by Three Forces, the Energy Storage Market Reaches

a New Milestone

This development is the result of the combined effects of multiple key factors, including market demand, technological breakthroughs, and policy support.

First, rigid demand from the energy transition. Driven by China's “dual carbon” goals, installed capacity of renewable energy such as wind and solar has grown rapidly. Due to the intermittency and instability of renewables, their high penetration has significantly increased pressure on grid integration. As a key solution for renewable energy grid connection, energy storage has therefore seen a sharp rise in market demand.

Second, continuous breakthroughs in energy storage technologies. After a long period of accumulation, decisive breakthroughs have been achieved over the past five years. Lithium-ion battery technologies have continued to advance, enabling large-scale production of storage batteries. System performance has improved significantly while costs have continued to decline. At the same time, other technology pathways such as compressed air energy storage and flow batteries are gradually being commercialized, laying a solid foundation for large-scale deployment.

Third, strong support from the policy framework. At the national level, a series of major policies have been introduced to support industry development. These include the Guiding Opinions on Accelerating the Development of New Energy Storage issued by the NDRC and the National Energy Administration, and the Opinions on Improving the Price Governance Mechanism issued by the General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council. By advancing and refining pricing mechanisms and market rules, these policies provide a clearer market environment for energy storage projects. Local governments have also introduced specific market and pricing policies tailored to their development characteristics, greatly stimulating the enthusiasm of market participants.

Based on current trends, the author believes that over the next three to five years, both the pace and scale of development of the new-type energy storage market will continue to increase significantly.

First, demand for energy storage will continue to rise. As renewable energy installations keep expanding, the role of energy storage will become increasingly prominent, driving rapid growth in demand.

Second, policy support will remain strong. A series of national policies have been introduced to promote the development of the energy storage industry. The Action Plan for the Large-Scale Construction of New-Type Energy Storage (2025-2027) proposes that by 2027, China's installed capacity of new-type energy storage will exceed 180 GW, driving approximately RMB 250 billion in direct project investment. This has effectively boosted market expectations. In addition, in September this year, China announced a new round of Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets, clearly stating that by 2035, total installed capacity of wind and solar power will exceed six times the 2020 level, with a target of reaching 3.6 TW. To meet these goals, strong national support for energy storage is expected to continue.

Third, technological progress and cost reductions will continue. With ongoing innovation and scaling-up of energy storage technologies, new technologies and products will continue to emerge, while there remains room for further cost reductions at the system level.

Fourth, business models will gradually mature, with diversified revenue streams including capacity payments, spot market arbitrage, and ancillary services.

Fifth, overseas market demand remains strong. As the share of renewable energy generation continues to increase globally and supportive policies are introduced in many regions, further improvements in the economics of energy storage are expected to drive continued expansion of overseas markets.

According to forecasts by the Zhongguancun Energy Storage Industry Technology Alliance, new-type energy storage will reach the next “100 GW” milestone in 2027-2028, with China's installed capacity reaching 200 GW. Around 2030, China is expected to reach the third “100 GW” milestone, with cumulative installed capacity reaching 300 GW.

How to Shift from “Scaled Deployment” to “High-Quality Operation”?

However, to achieve a transition to high-quality operation over the next one to two years, concentrated breakthroughs are still needed in key areas such as market mechanisms, technological optimization, safety risk prevention, and full life-cycle management.

In terms of market mechanisms, it is necessary to gradually improve market and pricing mechanisms for new-type energy storage, promote the business model of “capacity payments + energy arbitrage + ancillary services,” appropriately expand spot price spreads, incorporate new types of ancillary services-such as ramping, inertia, reserves, and black start-into the pricing mechanism, and promote linkage between green power trading and energy storage discharge volumes to realize explicit monetization of environmental attributes.

In terms of safety risk prevention, a solid safety defense must be built from three aspects: monitoring and early warning, protection mechanisms, and standards and regulations. A unified system of safety technical standards should be established rapidly, clearly defining safety indicators for equipment selection, installation and commissioning, operation, and maintenance of energy storage power stations. Research should also be conducted on implementing a battery traceability system to ensure accountability for safety responsibilities.

In terms of technological R&D, first, continued strong development of lithium batteries is needed, with further optimization of the operation and application of existing lithium-based energy storage systems. Second, priority should be given to promoting demonstration and application of long-duration energy storage technologies such as variable-speed pumped storage, compressed air energy storage, and flow batteries. Greater efforts should also be made to advance R&D and validation of new technologies such as solid-state batteries, sodium-ion batteries, and grid-forming energy storage, fostering a development pattern in which multiple storage technologies progress in coordination.

In terms of industrial coordination, efforts should be made to enhance self-sufficiency in key materials. Targeting weak links such as core materials for energy storage cells and key equipment for long-duration storage, breakthroughs should be pursued through industry-university-research innovation consortia. Industrial development order should be standardized by curbing inefficient and repetitive construction through dynamic monitoring of project filings, and guiding capital toward projects with high utilization rates and high safety performance.

To promote the healthy and sustainable development of the industry, the author believes that further policy efforts are needed. First, market-based revenue policies should be improved by further refining energy storage pricing mechanisms, clarifying pricing calculation rules for different regions and application scenarios, expanding revenue channels from ancillary services, and smoothing cost-sharing mechanisms for such services, while continuing to promote business models involving capacity prices, energy prices, and ancillary services.

Second, full-chain safety policies should be strengthened by improving safety standards and regulations, refining safety supervision processes, implementing regular safety inspection systems, and clearly defining safety acceptance standards for all stages of energy storage power stations, from design and construction to operation and maintenance.

Third, research on energy storage pricing should be conducted by promoting cost tracking for major mainstream energy storage technologies, studying cost structures across key segments of energy storage systems, and guiding the industry toward rational assessments of energy storage costs.

Finally, industry self-regulation should be promoted by strengthening dynamic monitoring of data such as energy storage output, continuously paying attention to industry development issues, advancing technological iteration and safety performance upgrades of energy storage products, supporting industry-led self-regulatory initiatives, and guiding the sector toward a virtuous development path that emphasizes safety performance and value creation.

---

CENSA Upcoming Events:

Apr. 1-3, 2026 | The 14th Energy Storage International Conference & Expo

Register Now to attend, free before Dec 31, 2025.

Read more: https://en.cnesa.org/new-events-1/2026/4/1/apr-1-apr3-the-14th-energy-storage-international-exhibition-amp-expo

2025 China Energy Storage CEO Summit & Preliminary Round of the 10th International Energy Storage Innovation Competition Successfully Held in Xiamen

Source: CNESA

---

On December 4, 2025, the 2025 China Energy Storage CEO Summit & Preliminary Round of the 10th International Energy Storage Innovation Competition, hosted by the China Energy Storage Alliance (CNESA) and co-organized by Xiamen University, Kehua Digital Energy, and Cornex New Energy, was successfully held in Xiamen, China.

As CNESA's final flagship event of the year, the Summit took Southeast China - an important strategic gateway to global markets - as its anchor and adopted the theme “Breaking Waves · Coexistence - Co-Creating a New Globalized Ecosystem for Energy Storage 2026.” The event gathered government officials, academicians, industry leaders, and corporate executives to review China's industry landscape in 2025, explore the development path toward 2026 and the longer-term 15th Five-Year Plan period, and jointly seek new pathways for the high-quality and global advancement of energy storage.

The opening ceremony was hosted by Liu Wei, Secretary-General of CNESA.

Distinguished speakers and guests included:

Prof. Zheng Nanfeng of Xiamen University; leaders from Xiamen Municipal Bureau of Commerce, Xiamen Municipal Bureau of Science and Technology, and Xiamen Municipal Development and Reform Commission; Chen Haisheng, Chairman of CNESA and Director of the Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Chen Chenghui, Chairman of Kehua Data; Huang Feng, President of Cornex New Energy; Wang Shunchao, Deputy Director of the International Consulting & Design Institute of the China Electric Power Planning and Engineering Institute; Zheng Yaodong, Honorary Chairman of the Energy Storage Team of China Southern Power Grid; Wen Zhaoyin, Researcher of the Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Prof. Yang Yong of Xiamen University; Huang Junhui, former Deputy Director of the Jiangsu Institute of Economic Research, State Grid, and senior technical expert, among others.

Also present were CNESA Vice Chairs and representatives: Yu Zhenhua, Executive Vice Chairman of CNESA; Yang Bao, President of Trina Storage; Gao Xinhua, Chief Engineer of China Southern Power Grid Technology; Yang Rui, Chairman of Shuangdeng Group; Cui Jian, President of Kehua Digital Energy; Tian Qingjun, Senior VP of Envision Energy & President of Envision Storage; Lian Zanwei, Chairman of XYZ Storage; Liu Mingyi, Director of Energy Storage Technology, Huaneng Clean Energy Research Institute; Yu Jianhua, VP of Narada; Lv Lin, GM of TBEA Xi'an, and many other industry leaders.

The Summit also received strong support from co-organizer Fujian New Energy Technology Industry Promotion Association and supporting partners including Envision Energy, Trina Storage, Shuangdeng, HyperStrong, Ampace, Phoenix Contact, Potisegde, and KE Electric, jointly presenting a high-level industry event.

This year's Summit featured an impressive international lineup, gathering energy asset owners and project developers from key global regions including Denmark, Austria, Bulgaria, India, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, and France. Special invited foreign guests included Li Yilin, Deputy Director of Enterprise Singapore (South China), and Victor Goutte, Deputy Head of the Renewable Energy Sector, Embassy of the French Republic in China.

This strong participation across the entire value chain created an efficient and pragmatic bridge connecting Chinese and international enterprises.

High-Level Speeches

Driving High-Quality Development and Co-Shaping a New

Global Energy Storage Ecosystem

Zheng Nanfeng - Professor, Xiamen University

Prof. Zheng Nanfeng, Dean of the School of Energy, Xiamen University, and Director of the Jiageng Innovation Laboratory, emphasized China's remarkable progress in renewable energy, with total installed capacity exceeding 1,700 GW. Despite challenges such as higher curtailment rates in western regions, the new 2035 targets indicate vast application opportunities for energy storage.

He stressed that Xiamen University, as a “Double First-Class” institution, is committed to breaking barriers between scientific research and industrial innovation, exploring new models for integrating education, research, and industry. The university will continue working with all sectors to focus on technological breakthroughs, talent development, and solutions for scaling up and commercializing energy storage, strengthening the foundation for global energy transition.

Chen Haisheng - Chairman, CNESA

Chairman Chen Haisheng noted that China's energy storage industry is undergoing a profound shift from rapid expansion to high-quality development. This is reflected in China's global leadership in installed capacity, significant improvement in application performance, diversified technological pathways, and a shift in market mechanisms from mandatory allocation to market-driven deployment.

He highlighted globalization as a key agenda, with Chinese companies accelerating their overseas strategy based on strong technological and supply chain advantages. CNESA will continue building platforms to support global deployment, promote technological ecosystem restructuring, and strengthen China's high-quality “going global” process.

Chen Chenghui - Chairman, Kehua Data

Chairman Chen Chenghui emphasized that energy storage is the “accelerator” of the new power system and a key enabler of the global low-carbon transition, with China increasingly providing “Chinese approach” to the world.

He introduced Kehua's innovation-driven approach, focusing on grid-forming energy storage and full-scenario solutions, and noted the company's collaboration with central SOEs on world-first projects. Internationally, Kehua follows a strong localization strategy, with business presence in over 100 countries. He called for building resilient global supply chains and advancing open collaboration to accelerate global energy transformation.

Keynote Reports

Deepening Industry-Research Integration and Jointly Planing

Global Deployment

Zheng Nanfeng - Professor, Xiamen University

In his keynote “From Free Exploration to Dual Empowerment: Integrating Basic Research with Industrial Innovation,” Prof. Zheng outlined the two-way empowerment mechanism of “research serving industry” and “industry boosting research”: Relying on the Jiageng Innovation Laboratory, actively explore a new system of "combination of allocation and investment" and "fiscal funds + market-oriented operation", and achieve the deep integration of technology and industry by breaking the single academic evaluation orientation.

The Jiageng Lab focuses on low-carbon energy, high-efficiency storage, and next-generation displays, establishing public validation platforms to accelerate commercialization. He advocated integrated development of university campuses, science parks, and industrial parks to transform the high-failure-rate path of innovation into a new norm of high-quality industrial growth.

Wang Shunchao - Deputy Director, International Energy Consulting Institute, EPPEI

Dr. Wang Shunchao delivered a keynote titled “Green Power Planning for Overseas Markets.”

He emphasized the rapid growth of clean energy demand along the Belt and Road, contrasted with weaker power system foundations, making power system planning increasingly critical. He introduced EPPEI's modeling and simulation experience as well as insights from international power system planning projects.

Tian Qingjun - Senior VP, Envision Energy

Tian Qingjun highlighted that Chinese energy storage companies are “born global,” and internationalization has become an imperative.

He stressed the need to move from simply “going out” to deeply “integrating in,” with local operations, local talent, and long-term value creation. He called for ecosystem collaboration, avoidance of harmful price competition, and positioning Chinese companies as global enablers and ecosystem co-builders.

Huang Feng - President, Cornex New Energy

President Huang Feng noted that the industry faces both fierce competition and supply shortfalls, yet remains in a golden period of rapid growth. He forecasted global energy storage installations reaching 550-600 GWh in 2025, with overseas markets surpassing China for the first time.

He explained the company's “four-circle growth model,” evolving from market entry to customer trust, and then to domestic-global parallel expansion, positioning Cornex as a rising force shaping future industry ecosystems.

10th International Energy Storage Innovation Competition

A Decade of Excellence: Recognizing Industry Benchmarks

The preliminary awards ceremony of the 10th International Energy Storage Innovation Competition was held during the opening ceremony. Out of 183 project applications, 129 advanced to the preliminary round, and after rigorous review, 77 projects won the Outstanding Project Award.

Over the past decade, the competition has witnessed every major technological iteration and set recognized benchmarks for the industry. The winning projects will advance to the annual finals to compete for the highest honors.

CEO Roundtable

Toward 2030: Reshaping the Global Energy Storage Ecosystem

In 2025, industry reshuffling intensified amid complex global trade dynamics. The CEO roundtable - “Toward 2030: Synergy & Prospect Between China's Energy Storage and the Global Industrial Ecosystem” - became a highlight of the Summit.

The CEO roundtable was hosted by Yu Zhenhua, Executive Vice Chairman of CNESA, participants included: Prof. Zheng Zhifeng (College of Energy, Xiamen University), Cui Jian (President of Kehua Digital Energy), Yang Guang (CTO, HyperStrong), Yang Rui (Chairman, Shuangdeng Group), Lian Zhanwei (Chairman, XYZ Storage), Yang Bao (President, Trina Storage), Richard Wan (VP, Potisegde), Zhu Wei (SVP, Phoenix Contact China), etc.

Discussions centered on global strategy, supply-chain collaboration, ecosystem development, and technology innovation as the core driving engine for 2030 competitiveness.

Three Parallel Sessions

Overseas Markets • Technology Innovation • Computing Power

+ Energy Storage

Session 1: Overseas Energy Storage Opportunities & Business Models

Hosted by Richard Wan (VP, Potisegde), experts from academia and industry - including Prof. Chen Haoyong (South China University of Technology), Liu Yudong (Senior Solutions Director, Kehua Digital Energy Overseas), Li Zhongli (VP, HyperStrong Europe),Richard Wan (VP, Potisegde),  Alessandro Wei (Engineering Director, Green Gold Energy), Salomon Martens (CEO, DRSOLAR Denmark ApS) and others - shared insights on grid-forming storage, battery intelligence, grid-structured energy storage technology, ultra-safety systems, and commercial opportunities across Europe and Australia.

The International Roundtable 1 focused on “Overseas Energy Storage Opportunities and Ecosystem Collaboration.” Under the moderation of Prof. Chen Haoyong, South China University of Technology (part-time professor, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman), the discussion brought together Sun Rongtao, President of Strategic Investments, China, Saudi Aramco; Salomon Martens, CEO of DRSOLAR Denmark; Alessandro Wei (Wei Xiaowei), Engineering Director of Green Gold Energy; Wang Yichao, Deputy General Manager of XYZ Storage; and Shi Wenbo, President of the Hisense Network Energy and Vice Chairman of KE Electric. They engaged in an in-depth exchange on strategies for overseas market expansion and ecosystem collaboration.

Session 2: Advanced Energy Storage Technology & Solutions

Hosted by Huang Junhui, former Deputy Director of SGCC Jiangsu Institute of Economic Research, Lin Jinshui, senior expert in energy storage solutions of Kehua Digital Energy; Li Ming, global product management head of Trina Storage; Yang Xinyu, market development manager of Ampace; Li Bingzhang, director of energy storage technology of Zhuzhou CRRC Times Electric; Tan Cheng, industry manager of Phoenix Contact; Wu Junjie, marketing manager of Prima Power Sheet Metal Equipment (Suzhou); Kalina Pelovska, chief investment officer of Renalfa IPP; Robert Kraszewski, CEO of RJS Construction; and Fu Chungui, industry director of Hymson Laser Technology shared insights on grid-forming storage, AIDC applications, full life cycle safety protection and intelligent upgrade of production lines under Document 136, and BESS commercial applications in Eastern Europe.

The International Roundtable 2 focused on “the demand distribution and potential of emerging energy storage markets”. Under the moderation of Wendy Wen (Wen Mingyuan), the discussion brought together Kalina Pelovska, chief investment officer of Renalfa IPP GmbH (Austria/Bulgaria); Gabriel Nenov, head of the energy storage division (eastern Europe) of Solarpro Technology AD; Robert Kraszewski, COO (Denmark) of RJS construction ApS; andLi Fengzhi, general manager of overseas marketing team of SAV Digital Power. They engaged in an in-depth exchange on opportunities and challenges in the global energy storage market.

Session 3: Energy Storage + Data Centers (AIDC)

Hosted by Zhang Jianing, senior policy research manager of CNESA, Zhong Yihua, VP of Shuangdeng Group; Li Yusheng, deputy director of the information energy innovation center of China Mobile Group Design Institute; Peng Huana, deputy chief engineer of Fujian Yongfu Power Engineering; Li Xu, technical expert of the power solutions department of Vertiv; Luo Guirong, former technical director of Kehua Data; Lu Zongshuo, product marketing manager of Ampace; Ding Changfu, senior product manager of Hithium Energy Storage; Zhang Wenjian, director of TAOS Data; Yang Qian, senior solution expert in the energy industry of Inspur KaiwuDB. They engaged in an in-depth exchange on the deep integration of "energy storage + computing power", high-rate and high-safety lithium battery solution empowering AIDC and green construction practice under the synergy of computing and electricity, and further explored how time series data and multimodal AI unlock the value of data assets in the energy industry.

The 2025 CEO Summit brought together the core strengths of the energy storage ecosystem to envision new scenarios, new landscapes, and new growth paths. Standing at the year's end and looking toward the future, we firmly believe that energy storage is not only a support technology for power systems but also a key engine driving global green transformation.

Toward 2030, let us take this Summit as a new starting point - strengthening collaboration, embracing open innovation, accelerating global supply-chain development, and co-building a win-win ecosystem.

With joint efforts across domestic and international markets, the industry will shift from rapid expansion to high-quality growth and inject strong, certain “Chinese contribution” into global energy security and a net-zero future.

A new journey begins - let us advance together, break the waves, and co-create a zero-carbon future.

---

CENSA Upcoming Events:

Apr. 1-3, 2026 | The 14th Energy Storage International Conference & Expo

Register Now to attend, free before Dec 31, 2025.

Read more: https://en.cnesa.org/new-events-1/2026/4/1/apr-1-apr3-the-14th-energy-storage-international-exhibition-amp-expo

Energy Storage Leaders Converge in Xiamen: Executives from Ten Industry Giants Share Insights at the 2025 China Energy Storage CEO Summit

Source: CNESA

---

On December 4, 2025, the “2025 China Energy Storage CEO Summit & the 10th International Energy Storage Innovation Competition - Preliminary Round,” hosted by the China Energy Storage Alliance (CNESA) and co-hosted by Xiamen University, Kehua Digital Energy, and Cornex New Energy, was successfully held in Xiamen.

The summit brought together top leaders from the most influential companies in the energy storage sector - Kehua Data, Envision Energy, Cornex New Energy, Shuangdeng Group, XYZ Storage, Trina Storage, HyperStrong, Potisegde, and Phoenix Contact. Chairmen, presidents, and key executives gathered to explore breakthroughs in energy storage technology, global strategies, and the construction of a robust industrial ecosystem. Their insights not only represent the direction of their companies but also reflect the core trajectory and future momentum of China's energy storage industry.

Chen Chenghui

Chairman, Kehua Data

“Charting the course forward means not only seizing opportunities but anchoring growth in technological innovation and safeguarding it through coordinated standards. Going fast alone is not enough - only through openness, cooperation, and ecosystem-wide collaboration can we enhance the quality and sustainability of global energy transition.”

Tian Qingjun

Senior Vice President, Envision; President, Envision Energy

“Chinese energy storage enterprises are born global. Going overseas has shifted from being an option to a matter of survival. In the face of inevitable globalization and its risks, the industry must evolve from simply going out to truly integrating in. Deep local operations and international talent development are key to long-term presence. At the same time, companies should foster competitive collaboration across the value chain, avoid vicious price wars, and win global respect through long-term value and quality.”

Huang Feng

President, Cornex New Energy

“We respect technology, respect safety, and respect quality - technology is the key to improve performance and cost challenges, and quality is the foundation of market confidence. In a race defined by both speed and endurance, only continuous innovation and customer alignment can lead to shared value.”

Cui Jian

President, Kehua Digital Energy

“Grid-forming technology has become a fundamental necessity for energy storage. In the future, PCS will no longer distinguish between ‘grid-following’ and ‘grid-forming’; the technologies will converge. Through deep technical refinement and intelligent upgrades, we will support the stable operation of new power systems and enable diverse value creation.”

Yang Rui

Chairman, Shuangdeng Group

“Energy storage companies must be ‘born global’ and capable of ‘deep globalization’. In certain high-certainty tracks such as AIDC, the real challenge lies in whether an organization can truly capture and sustain explosive market opportunities. By prioritizing talent and building a ‘carrier-class architecture’, we aim to lead with products and efficiency, establishing a resilient moat for long-term survival in fast-paced cycles.”

Lian Zhanwei

Chairman, XYZ Storage

“Safety is the lifeline of the energy storage industry. Innovative technologies such as immersion liquid cooling represent proactive breakthroughs for high-safety application scenarios. We look forward to working with the industry to advance energy storage toward higher safety, efficiency, and reliability.”

Yang Bao

President, Trina Storage

“Global experience in solar has paved the way for storage going overseas. With global networks and localized teams, we are accelerating the deep integration of solar and storage, enabling technology and markets to evolve together, and delivering value across regions and cultures in the global energy transition.”

Yang Guang

Chief Technology Officer, HyperStrong

“Strong partnerships and complementary strengths are vital to ensuring stable industrial delivery. Facing diverse global application scenarios, we are advancing platform-based products and AI-driven strategies to deeply integrate ‘Energy Storage + X’ and provide customized solutions for different markets.”

Richard Wan

Vice President of Technology, Potisegde

“Full-stack independent development is the foundation of quality, and global-localized delivery is the guarantee of stability. We adopt EV-grade standards for energy storage and build a closed-loop technology chain with intelligent manufacturing, reinforcing safety and efficiency amid intensifying competition.”

Zhu Wei

Senior Vice President, Phoenix Contact China

“Rooted in China, serving the world. We combine a century of electrical engineering experience with local R&D and manufacturing, providing secure and efficient system-level support for complex, multi-scenario energy storage applications through advanced connectivity and industrial automation technologies.”

As a key prelude to the 14th Energy Storage International Conference and Expo (ESIE 2026), the 2025 China Energy Storage CEO Summit served not only as a platform for high-level intellectual exchange but also as a catalyst for deeper industry collaboration. Leading companies including Kehua Digital Energy, Envision Energy, Cornex New Energy, Shuangdeng Group, XYZ Storage, Trina Storage, HyperStrong, Potisegde, and Phoenix Contact have confirmed participation in ESIE 2026 and will showcase their latest technologies and solutions at this global energy storage event.

We sincerely invite industry colleagues to join us next year as we work together to advance the energy storage industry toward higher quality and greater sustainability.

---

CENSA Upcoming Events:

Apr. 1-3, 2026 | The 14th Energy Storage International Conference & Expo

Register Now to attend, free before Dec 31, 2025.

Read more: https://en.cnesa.org/new-events-1/2026/4/1/apr-1-apr3-the-14th-energy-storage-international-exhibition-amp-expo

Germany Roundup: 500MW BESS and Data Centre Transaction, Seven-Year Toll and 370MW Pipeline Secured

Source: Energy Storage News

---

The BESS with which ju:niz Energy will enter into a toll with Next Kraftwerke. Image: ju:niz Energy

A trio of German grid-scale BESS news items, with Next Kraftwerke and ju:niz Energy agreeing a seven-year toll, Alpiq announcing a 370MW pipeline, and WBS Power selling the country’s largest solar-plus-storage project and planning a data centre on the same site.

Germany has this year become a hotbed of battery energy storage system (BESS) project announcements and deal-making, driven by its substantial revenue opportunities as Europe’s largest electricity market and a looming August 2029 deadline for getting projects operational to avoid charge-discharge grid fees. See all recent coverage here.

WBS Power sells solar-plus-storage project, plans data centre

Developer WBS Power has sold the 150MW solar, 500MW/2,000MWh BESS Project Jupiter in Brandenburg, Germany, to investor Prime Capital.

WBS acquired the site for the clean energy project in 2022, and the project will require €500 million (US$583 million), with construction expected in late 2026/early 2027. Both technologies will share a 380kV grid connection in the area of TSO 50Hertz. The acquisition is subject to Project Jupiter reaching ready-to-build (RTB) status.

The transaction also establishes a joint venture to co-locate a hyperscale data centre of up to 500MW in power demand in the same area.

WBS Power said there is growing demand for data centres in Germany, which are highly energy-intensive and benefit significantly from direct access to renewable power and grid stability.

“By integrating Germany’s largest co-located BESS and Solar PV project with a hyperscale data center, we are creating a unique platform that supports both the energy transition and digital transformation,” said Maciej Marcjanik, CEO of WBS Power Group.

Alpiq secures 370MW Germany pipeline

Switzerland-based energy firm Alpiq has expanded in Germany with a 370MW BESS pipeline the company has ‘secured’, in partnership with developer SPP Development. The projects in Brandenburg and Saxony-Anhalt are expected to reach RTB status in 2026.

Lukas Gresnigt, Head International and member of the Executive Board of Alpiq said that Germany is a competitive and complex market for BESS, with many projects are queuing for grid access and permits, and the partnership combined Alpiq’s financial strength and SPP’s local expertise.

Last week, Energy-Storage.news reported on Alpiq entering into a long-term toll for a BESS in Germany owned and operated by Eco Stor. Alpiq has acquired projects in France and Finland, where it recently commissioned a 30MW/36MW project.

Shell and EQT companies agree Germany BESS toll

VPP operator Next Kraftwerke, acquired by Shell in 2021, has concluded a Germany BESS toll with BESS platform ju:niz Energy, acquired by investor EQT in 2024.

The seven-year toll is for a 20MW/40MWh project in Vöhringen, Bavaria, and Next said it is one of the first operational contracts of its kind in Germany, live since 1 November.

Next Kraftwerke will pay ju:niz Energy a fixed monthly fee per installed MW for the use of the BESS capacity. The model offers stable revenues for the operator (ju:niz) and flexibility for the optimiser (Next Kraftwerke). The toll is 80% fixed remuneration and 20% merchant, Next said.

(By Cameron Murray)

---

CENSA Upcoming Events:

Apr. 1-3, 2026 | The 14th Energy Storage International Conference & Expo

Register Now to attend, free before Dec 31, 2025.

Read more: https://en.cnesa.org/new-events-1/2026/4/1/apr-1-apr3-the-14th-energy-storage-international-exhibition-amp-expo

“15th Five-Year Plan” Proposal Mentions for the First Time: Building an “Strong Energy Power”

Source: People's Daily

---

Building a strong energy power is essential for balancing domestic and international factors, development and security, and advancing Chinese-style modernization. It is a systematic project that requires adhering to the principle of establishing the new before phasing out the old and making progress while ensuring stability.

A close reading of the “15th Five-Year Plan” proposal reveals 16 national “strength-building” goals. Among them, the term “Strong Energy Power” appears in the plan proposal for the first time - what is the significance behind this?

Building a strong energy power is a practical necessity for coordinating domestic and international dynamics, harmonizing development and security, and advancing Chinese-style modernization.

Looking outward, the global energy supply-demand landscape is undergoing profound adjustments. Geopolitics, climate change, and energy transition are interacting with each other, making energy issues a top priority in national security for countries around the world.

Looking inward, during the “15th Five-Year Plan” period, China's energy consumption will continue to grow rigidly, with an estimated annual increase of about 600 billion kWh in electricity demand - representing considerable pressure. As a major country with over 1.4 billion people, China cannot repeat the high-consumption, high-emission path taken by developed nations. Instead, it must move onto a green and low-carbon development trajectory.

Therefore, building a strong energy nation means constructing a robust energy industrial chain, supply chain, and innovation system; upholding a diversified energy mix across wind, solar, hydro, nuclear and more; continuously increasing the share of new energy supply; safely and orderly replacing fossil energy; and transforming energy production and consumption patterns. Only by strengthening such foundational capabilities and enhancing self-reliant development capacity can China build greater confidence and advantage in international competition.

China already possesses many favorable conditions for becoming a strong energy nation. During the “14th Five-Year Plan” period (2021-2025), China consolidated its position as the world's largest energy producer, with an energy self-sufficiency rate above 80%. As fossil energy consumption peaks sequentially, dependence on imported oil and gas will gradually fall to a reasonable level. China has also built the world's largest and most complete new energy industry chain, supplying over 80% of global solar PV modules and 70% of wind power equipment. Many energy technologies and equipment lead globally, with new breakthroughs in million-kilowatt-class hydropower, advanced nuclear power, heavy-duty gas turbines, smart grids, and more.

As the world's largest developing country, China still faces heavy tasks in economic development and improving people's livelihoods, and its energy development is subject to many hard constraints. During the “15th Five-Year Plan” period (2026-2030), building a strong energy nation will remain a systematic endeavor that requires adhering to establishing the new before phasing out the old, advancing steadily, and carefully balancing several key relationships.

The relationship between energy security and energy transition.

The green transition cannot be achieved overnight. It must proceed steadily based on national conditions. Traditional energy must be phased out in an orderly manner, while new energy must be established first, early, and rapidly to enable safe and reliable substitution.

The relationship between energy development and energy conservation.

Building a strong energy nation requires strengthening the supply side by promoting green energy development; however, the demand side must not be overlooked. Improving energy efficiency and promoting green, low-carbon production and lifestyles are also essential. For example, through large-scale equipment renewal campaigns, China replaced over 20 million units (sets) of equipment in key sectors in 2024, achieving approximately 25 million tonnes of standard coal in energy savings - reducing carbon emissions at the source.

The relationship between government and market.

China will deepen market-oriented reforms in competitive segments of the energy sector, continuously improve the energy pricing mechanism, and stimulate endogenous motivation and innovation vitality.

During the “15th Five-Year Plan” period, China will accelerate the development of a clean, low-carbon, safe, and efficient modern energy system. More wind, sunshine, and water will be transformed into green development power, and fossil energy will be used more cleanly and efficiently, strengthening the stable and healthy development of China’s energy.

(By Ding Yiting)

---

CENSA Upcoming Events:

Apr. 1-3, 2026 | The 14th Energy Storage International Conference & Expo

Register Now to attend, free before Dec 31, 2025.

Read more: https://en.cnesa.org/new-events-1/2026/4/1/apr-1-apr3-the-14th-energy-storage-international-exhibition-amp-expo

Cache Power Plans ‘Canada’s First’ Commercial-Scale Compressed Air Energy Storage Facility

Source: Energy Storage News

---

The facility will be constructed in two phases and located next to the Marguerite Lake substation to enhance efficiency and facilitate grid integration. Image: EllisDon

Compressed air energy storage (CAES) developer Cache Power is partnering with construction company EllisDon to deliver a CAES facility in Northeast Alberta, Canada.

The facility will be constructed in two phases and located next to the Marguerite Lake substation to enhance efficiency and facilitate grid integration.

Cache Power does not have any information on its website, but appears to be a special purpose vehicle (SPV) for Federation Engineering.

On Federation’s website, the company clarifies that the Marguerite Lake facility will have a 250MW load capacity and 640MW generation capacity. Energy storage capacity or planned duration were not referred to in publicly available materials.

The companies assert that the technology will be essential in stabilising Alberta’s grid and supporting both provincial and national efforts toward a net-zero electricity future. The project has secured all key regulatory approvals, with early construction scheduled to start soon.

CAES technology operates by pressurising and directing air into a storage medium to load the system. When discharging, the stored air is released through a heating system to expand, driving a turbine generator.

Notably, the companies claim the project will be the first commercial scale CAES facility in Canada.

Ontario-headquartered Hydrostor is known for its advanced compressed air energy storage (A-CAES) projects.

A-CAES operates similarly to traditional CAES but captures heat from the compressor and passes it through heat exchangers to store in pressurised water. This water is kept in a reservoir and then released into a cavern to displace air during discharging, a process known as hydrostatic compensation.

In conventional CAES, less than 50% of the energy can typically be recovered. The thermal energy produced during compression is often wasted, and the power output varies depending on the residual underground air pressure.

Hydrostor has two small operational projects in Canada, one a pilot and the other a commercial demonstrator, with the larger one being a 2.2MW/10MWh commercial system in Goderich, Ontario.

Hydrostor noted the Goderich Energy Storage Centre as the world’s first commercially contracted A-CAES facility. In addition to its role as technology provider, the A-CAES company is also developing large-scale projects around the world, including its 1.6GWh Silver City project in New South Wales, Australia, and 4GWh Willow Rock project in California, US. The company has secured some funding and offtake agreements for both, including a recent renegotiation of contracts for Willow Rock (ESN Premium article).

It has also proposed a 500MW/8,000MWh project in Ontario (ESN Premium), adjacent to Ontario Power Generation’s Lennox Generating Station in Greater Napanee.

Speaking with Energy-Storage.news, a representative from Federation clarified that the distinction between the CAES system titles for itself and Hydrostor came down to scale and usage.

Cache Power’s facility can store up to 48 hours of energy by compressing air with excess grid electricity and sequestering it in underground salt caverns formed through solution mining. 

It can also blend up to 75% hydrogen with natural gas, with a future plan for complete hydrogen utilisation, aligning with Canada’s net-zero ambitions.

Power plant equipment supplier Babcock & Wilcox are collaborating on engineering the possible hydrogen facility expansion, employing the company’s BrightLoop technology.

Babcock & Wilcox claim that BrightLoop can produce hydrogen while isolating carbon dioxide for capture and storage.

Additionally, Cache Power states it will deliver economic and social advantages to the local community and Indigenous Partners. Cold Lake First Nations has actively engaged in the project’s development and is anticipated to collaborate as a partner with Cache Power in both the project and its operations.

Update: Jordan Costley, Director of Sustainability Projects at Federation Engineering, and President of Cache Power has clarified that the project will be 30.72GWh. Costley also added about CAES energy recovery:

“(The 50% recovery statistic) may have been true for the original D-CAES projects such as Huntorf (Germany 1978) and McIntosh (USA 1991) but our project is utilizing the latest D-CAES technology from Siemens Energy.“

“Today’s compression technology utilising multi-stage integrally geared and intercooled compressors is very efficient resulting in the heat of compression being low grade not valuable for thermal energy storage and reuse in the expansion process.  The expander trains also include 90% effective dual-reheat recuperators again significantly increasing the overall efficiency.  The technology we are utilizing is not “conventional CAES” as defined by Huntorf and McIntosh.

(By April Bonner)

---

CENSA Upcoming Events:

Apr. 1-3, 2026 | The 14th Energy Storage International Conference & Expo

Register Now to attend, free before Dec 31, 2025.

Read more: https://en.cnesa.org/new-events-1/2026/4/1/apr-1-apr3-the-14th-energy-storage-international-exhibition-amp-expo

Puerto Rico Advances on Its Delayed Accelerated BESS Deployment Programme

Source: Energy Storage News

---

In Puerto Rico, the electric generation, transmission, and distribution facilities managed by PREPA are operated privately by Luma Energy. Both entities are overseen by the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau (PREB). Image: Trish Hartmann.

The Puerto Rico Energy Bureau (PREB) has issued a resolution and order requiring the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) to complete the Accelerated Battery Energy Storage Addition Programme (ASAP).

The resolution and order require PREPA to finish the necessary review process with the Financial Oversight and Management Board (FOMB) concerning the four final agreements of the ASAP.

Implementation and delay of ASAP

In Puerto Rico, the electric generation, transmission, and distribution facilities managed by PREPA are operated privately by Luma Energy. Both entities are overseen by the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau (PREB).

ASAP aims to enhance grid reliability across the island by deploying utility-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) alongside existing generation facilities.

Under the programme, independent power producers (IPPs) with existing power purchase and operating agreements (PPOAs) with PREPA will install BESS at their sites, “on an accelerated basis,” as stated in PREB documents available on the regulator’s website.

In 2024, PREB informed Luma Energy that its plan to contract with IPPs for BESS resources was consistent with public power policy.

In April 2024, Luma identified Phase 1 projects that could start immediately with minimal costs and no network upgrades, with some developers claiming they could be operational in less than 12 months and contracts expected to be executed by April 2025.

However, in August 2025, the projects remained stalled, with only one developer (Ecoeléctrica) responding to PREPA’s communications to say it was working to complete documentation by September, while three others (San Fermín, Horizon, and Oriana) did not respond at all.

PREB called the delays “extremely concerning” and required all four developers to provide detailed explanations for the lack of responsiveness, emphasising that these projects are crucial for addressing Puerto Rico’s electricity generation shortfall and warning that fines will be imposed if developers don’t comply with the information requests.

PREB issues resolution and order to PREPA

PREB concluded that Luma’s four final agreement terms for ASAP align with the island’s Energy Public Policy and the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP).

As a result, the Bureau approved the four drafts and directed Luma to finalise the contracts, submit them to PREPA’s Governing Board for approval, and demonstrate this process. Furthermore, PREPA was instructed to obtain approval from the FOMB.

On 20 November, Luma submitted final agreements to PREPA’s Board. The private operator asked for these documents to be confidential due to critical infrastructure, sensitive data, and personal information. PREB confirmed Luma’s compliance and granted confidentiality.

PREB clarified that the 1,500MW of battery storage listed in the IRP is a guideline, not a strict cap.

The resolution and order confirmed that this figure is not fixed and can be exceeded; battery projects in development will be assessed regardless of whether they propose more than 1,500MW of storage capacity. PREB also highlighted that any decision to increase or decrease this limit is solely at its discretion.

Because PREB has granted confidentiality to Luma, it is unclear for which participants the agreements have been submitted.

Developers Ecoeléctrica, San Fermín, Horizon, and Oriana have had ongoing communications with Luma. Though, as noted above, San Fermin, Horizon, and Oriana have previously failed to respond to PREPA’s communications.

Additionally, in August, Polaris Renewable Energy submitted a BESS standard offer (SO1) agreement on behalf of PREPA to PREB.

The SO1 agreement is included in the ASAP scheme. When submitted, Polaris appeared to distinguish itself from the other developers who had not delivered BESS projects on the island.

Included in the resolution and order, Commissioner Mateo Santos dissented in part and concurred in part, and stated:

“As I have previously expressed, I do not agree with the pass-through concepts included in the contracts under the ASAP programme, and therefore I dissent on that aspect. However, I concur with the Energy Bureau’s determination regarding the integration of battery energy storage resources.”

Santos continued, “Specifically, I agree with the Energy Bureau’s clarification that the approximately 1,500MW of Battery Energy Storage Resources identified in the Approved IRP’s Modified Action Plan constitutes a guideline rather than a fixed limit. Any final determination on the appropriate level of integration will be made by the Energy Bureau.”

(By April Bonner)

---

CENSA Upcoming Events:

Apr. 1-3, 2026 | The 14th Energy Storage International Conference & Expo

Register Now to attend, free before Oct 31, 2025.

Read more: https://en.cnesa.org/new-events-1/2026/4/1/apr-1-apr3-the-14th-energy-storage-international-exhibition-amp-expo

4GW/5.12GWh Malaysia Solar-Plus-Storage Hub Receives World Bank Funding

Source: PV Tech

---

The agreement was signed this week, in the presence of the Queen of Malaysia (pictured). Image: IFC

The World Bank will invest in a huge 4GW, 5.12GWh solar-plus-storage complex in Malaysia, which will form part of a pan-Southeast Asian power grid initiative.

The Southern Johor Renewable Energy Corridor (SJREC) will be a roughly 2,000sqKm area dedicated to solar PV and energy storage capacity. The US$6 billion project is backed by the World Bank’s private investment arm, the Iternational Finance Corporation (IFC), alongside the state investment firm of Johor, Permodalan Darul Ta’zim (PDT), and Ditrolic Energy, a Malaysian integrated energy company.

The project is part of a number of larger schemes, chiefly the ASEAN Power Grid Initiative, a plan to integrate power grids and energy supply across Southeast Asian nations. In this vein, the SJREC will be part of the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) “masterplan”, able to transmit clean energy to Singapore, which sits on Johor’s southern border.  

As a densely populated city state, Singapore relies heavily on energy imports and has made significant plans for cross-border renewables transmission, perhaps most notably the mammoth AA PowerLink project in Northern Australia, which aims to deploy almost 20GW of solar capacity when fully operational and supply power to Singapore via undersea cables.

The site is also part of the Johor Green Development Policy 2030, which the state government introduced to expand its green industries and renewable energy developments.

“As the state agency entrusted to formulate the Johor Green Development Policy 2030, PDT is proud to witness our strategic framework transition into tangible reality today,” said Dato’ Ramlee bin A Rahman, president and group chief executive of Permodalan Darul Ta’zim.

“The Southern Johor Renewable Energy Corridor was conceived as the cornerstone of this policy, specifically Strategy one, to unlock the immense solar potential of the Kota Tinggi and Mersing districts.”

Tham Chee Aun, CEO of Ditrolic Energy, said the SJREC hub would “Anchor Johor’s clean energy export potential and provide a foundation for industries seeking renewable, low-cost power in the region.”

In an announcement, the IFC said the project would supply renewable energy to “local and multinational corporations, including hyperscale data centre operators, manufacturers, and other businesses in Johor”.

Renewables development is a major driver for meeting data centre power demand, primarily because of the affordability of solar projects and solar energy and the stability offered by coupling the technology with energy storage. In its most recent report, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said the world would become “thirsty for energy” in the coming years and that data centres were an “Important driver” of growing power demand.

(By Will Norman)

---

CENSA Upcoming Events:

Apr. 1-3, 2026 | The 14th Energy Storage International Conference & Expo

Register Now to attend, free before Oct 31, 2025.

Read more: https://en.cnesa.org/new-events-1/2026/4/1/apr-1-apr3-the-14th-energy-storage-international-exhibition-amp-expo

200MW/800MWh! China's Largest Semi-Solid-State Energy Storage Project Connected to the Grid

Source: CCTV News

---

According to a report by CCTV News on December 1, China Green Development Group announced that a 200MW/800MWh semi-solid-state battery energy storage project located in Wuhai, Inner Mongolia, has been successfully connected to the grid. The project not only sets a new record for the installed capacity of grid-connected semi-solid-state lithium battery energy storage in China, but also marks a crucial step for China's semi-solid-state energy storage technology from pilot demonstration to large-scale commercial operation.

As a major new energy hub in northwest China, Wuhai city in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, has leveraged its abundant wind and solar resources to consistently advance integrated development of “source-grid-load-storage” in recent years. This newly grid-connected energy storage facility serves as a core infrastructure project for enhancing local renewable energy consumption. Covering an area of about 100 mu (about 6.67 hectares), the project is equipped with 160 energy storage battery containers and 40 converter and booster integrated units.

Semi-Solid-State Lithium Battery Energy Storage Project Successfully Connected to the Grid in Wuhai, Inner Mongolia

Qin Lei, Project Manager of Wuhai Energy Storage Project, Inner Mongolia Branch, China Green Development Group:

“This massive ‘power bank’ utilizes domestically-developed semi-solid-state lithium iron phosphate battery technology, which offers significant advantages in safety performance, energy density, and cycle life compared with conventional liquid lithium iron phosphate batteries.”

With the rapid upgrade of the new energy industry, energy storage - essential for grid peak regulation, frequency modulation, and improving renewable energy utilization - is entering a phase of large-scale expansion. Semi-solid-state lithium battery technology represents a key direction for the future development of power and storage batteries. Using a hybrid solid-liquid electrolyte, semi-solid-state batteries retain the high ionic conductivity of liquid systems while achieving a cycle life exceeding 12,000 cycles, which greatly reduces lifecycle operational costs. In addition, they can effectively suppress lithium dendrite growth, further enhancing safety.

Semi-Solid-State Lithium Battery Energy Storage Project Successfully Connected to the Grid in Wuhai, Inner Mongolia

Liu Xiaofei, Assistant General Manager, Inner Mongolia Branch, China Green Development Group:

“Once fully operational, the project will feature a peak-shaving and frequency-regulating capability of 200MW/800MWh, providing 189,000 MWh of clean electricity to the grid annually. It enables flexible scheduling - storing energy during the day and supporting peak loads at night - significantly enhancing power system stability. It will also ensure that local green electricity can be fully delivered, stably transmitted, and efficiently utilized, solving key bottlenecks in regional renewable energy consumption.”

Semi-Solid-State Lithium Battery Energy Storage Project Successfully Connected to the Grid in Wuhai, Inner Mongolia

In recent years, semi-solid-state lithium batteries - offering both high safety and strong economic performance - have become a core direction of technological evolution in the energy storage sector. Previously, China's largest grid-connected semi-solid-state storage project had a capacity of 100MW/200MWh. The Wuhai project doubles that scale, demonstrating that China is now at the global forefront of large-scale applications of semi-solid-state energy storage technology.

---

CENSA Upcoming Events:

1. Dec.4-5 | 2025 China Energy Storage CEO Summit | Xiamen, Fujian

Register Now to attend

Read more: http://en.cnesa.org/new-events-1/2025/12/4/dec4-5-2025-china-energy-storage-ceo-summit

2. Apr. 1-3, 2026 | The 14th Energy Storage International Conference & Expo

Register Now to attend, free before Oct 31, 2025.

Read more: https://en.cnesa.org/new-events-1/2026/4/1/apr-1-apr3-the-14th-energy-storage-international-exhibition-amp-expo

Multiple Gigawatts of European BESS Project M&A, Financing and Route-to-Market Deals

Source: Energy Storage News

---

Verbund, Prime Batteries and Enevo executives signing a Romania BESS project deal. From left to right: Vicentiu Ciobanu (CEO Prime Batteries), Adrian Remus Borotea (managing director of Verbund Wind Power Romania) and Cristian Pirvulescu (CEO of Enevo Group).​ Image: Verbund via LinkedIn.

European BESS news from project owners Premier Energy Group, Verbund, Eco Stor, Ingrid Capacity, Ric Energy, Ganfeng Lithium, EP Group, RWE and Giga Storage, securing acquisitions, financings and route-to-market (RTM) deals for multiple gigawatts of capacity this past week.

Romania: Premier buys 400MWh BESS, Verbund enlists

contractors for project

Energy firm Premier Energy Group has acquired a ready-to-build (RTB) 200MW/400MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) in Romania, near Iasi.

Construction on the project will start in 2026, with commissioning anticipated in late 2026 or early 2027. The project will support the integration or more renewables on Romania’s grid with fast-response capacity and grid balancing applications.

Premier is currently in advanced discussions on financing options for the project, with the expectation of securing a long-term structure, it said. The announcement did not say whether it was one of the winning projects from a recent EU-backed capex support scheme.

In related news, Austria-based utility and power firm Verbund’s local arm Verbund Wind Power Romania has enlisted OEM Prime Batteries and engineering firm Enevo Group to supply and integrate a 48MW/76MWh project.

It will be built at Verbund’s Alpha Nord Wind Farm in Tulcea County. The installation will help integrate more renewables but also improve the operational flexibility of the Verbund’s local renewable assets.

Prime Batteries Technology and Enevo Group will deliver the full engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) scope, including design, equipment supply, system integration, installation and commissioning.

Construction is scheduled to begin in February 2026 with commissioning set for September 2026.

Prime Batteries made headlines last year when it integrated a BESS for owner Monsson with an emphasis on locally manufactured technology.

Germany: Eco Stor project toll and Ingrid Capacity enters market

Project owner-operator and EPC Eco Stor has entered into a long-term toll with energy firm Alpiq for a 103.5MW/238 MWh BESS in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.

Alpiq will partner with optimisers Enspired and Entelios to manage the BESS project’s activity in the electricity market.

It is Eco Stor’s second major grid-scale project in Germany, and identically sized to its first which came online in June this year, in Bollingstedt. The project with Alpiq in Schleswig-Holstein will come online in mid-2026.

The announcement coincided with one from Sweden-headquartered BESS owner-operator Ingrid Capacity, revealing it has partnered with developer Energiequelle for 200MW of grid-scale projects in Germany.

Energiequelle will develop the projects while finance, operate, and optimise the assets using its in-house trading and optimisation platform. The projects are expected to reach RTB in 2026. Ingrid has so far been active primarily in Sweden and Finland.

Italy: Ric Energy buys 200MW BESS

Spain-headquartered Ric Energy Group has acquired a 200MW BESS in the Apulia region of Italy. The firm’s development pipeline in Italy now stands at 942MW, it said announcing the post on LinkedIn.

It didn’t provide more details about the project in its post. Italy is currently a hotbed of activity, with the long-awaited first auction of its MACSE scheme concluded with 10GWh of BESS handed long-term revenue contracts. Many investors and owner-operators were waiting for the auction before taking FIDs and proceeding to construction.

Our publisher Solar Media will host the Battery Asset Management Summit Europe 2025 in Rome tomorrow and Wednesday (2 & 3 December), where MACSE and Italy will undoubtedly be big talking points.

Netherlands: Giga Storage toll with Vattenfall

BESS owner-operator Giga Storage has entered into a long-term toll with energy firm Vattenfall for its Project Leopard, a 300MW/1,200MWh BESS in the Netherlands.

The toll covers 100MW, one-third of Leopard’s total capacity. It will provide Giga with a fixed, long-term income stream that supports the project’s financing. Vattenfall will optimise the contracted portion of Leopard’s capacity for services such as grid stability, portfolio balancing, and electricity trading.

RTM deals for grid-scale BESS in the Netherlands are characterised by portioning a project’s capacity into different slices with different tollers and offtakers to spread risk, the same strategy adopted by other major BESS owner-operators there including Lion Storage and SemperPower.

UK: RWE to build 700MWh BESS, two optimisation deals announced

Germany-headquartered power firm RWE has made a final investment decision (FID) on a 350MW/700MWh BESS in Wales, called Pembroke Battery Storage. It is part of the wider Pembroke Net Zero Centre project combining renewable generation including green hydrogen production.

The project received planning consent in January 2025 and also won contracts in the UK’s most recent capacity market (CM) auction. Construction will start in 2026 with commissioning and commercial operation in H2 2028, ‘subject to receiving an updated and timely grid connection’, RWE said. That probably alludes to the ongoing grid connection queue reshuffle.

The news follows hot on the heels of two BESS optimisation announcements in the UK, both covered by our sister site Solar Power Portal.

China-based Ganfeng Lithium has enlisted power firm EDF to provide RTM and optimisation services for its 50MW/160MWh Kintore BESS project, while EP Group has contracted optimiser GridBeyond to do the same for its 50MW North Baddesley BESS.

(By Cameron Murray)

---

CENSA Upcoming Events:

1. Dec.4-5 | 2025 China Energy Storage CEO Summit | Xiamen, Fujian

Register Now to attend

Read more: http://en.cnesa.org/new-events-1/2025/12/4/dec4-5-2025-china-energy-storage-ceo-summit

2. Apr. 1-3, 2026 | The 14th Energy Storage International Conference & Expo

Register Now to attend, free before Oct 31, 2025.

Read more: https://en.cnesa.org/new-events-1/2026/4/1/apr-1-apr3-the-14th-energy-storage-international-exhibition-amp-expo

China's Largest Grid-Side Lead-Carbon Energy Storage Power Station Goes Online

Source: Science and Technology Daily

---

At 19:18 on November 26, the battery cabin of the Diannong No.1 Energy Storage Station - part of the 200 MW / 400 MWh shared energy storage project by Ningxia Jiyang Green Storage - was successfully energized for the first time, marking the successful grid connection and commissioning of China's largest grid-side lead-carbon energy storage power station.

The Jiyang Green Storage 200 MW / 400 MWh shared energy storage project was invested and constructed by Ningxia Jiyang Green Storage Integrated Energy Services Co., Ltd. Covering an area of 55.4 mu (≈ 3.7 hectares) with a total investment of 620 million yuan, the project sets new records for the largest scale and highest power among grid-side lead-carbon energy storage stations. It is located in the core energy corridor of Xixia District, Yinchuan, and is equipped with 80 customized lead-carbon energy storage integrated cabins.

The system boasts a cycle life of over 6,000 cycles - 3 times that of traditional lead-acid batteries and 1.5 times that of lithium batteries - with a full life-cycle cost 40% lower than lithium batteries, making it the most cost-effective large-scale energy storage solution in China.

The State Grid Yinchuan Electric Power Company comprehensively tracked the project's construction progress, coordinated every step, and organized a professional technical team of dozens of staff from power dispatch, operation and maintenance, marketing, and information communications to provide grid connection services. The power dispatch control center assigned dedicated personnel for over 300 days of full-process monitoring. Under the overall deployment of State Grid Ningxia Electric Power Co., Ltd., both State Grid Yinchuan Electric Power Company and Ningxia Jiyang Green Storage actively coordinated to ensure the smooth grid connection of the Diannong No.1 Energy Storage Station.

“A successful grid connection of this project helps accelerate the integrated development of Yinchuan's energy storage industry and supporting clean energy sectors, enhances the grid's flexible regulation capability, increases renewable energy absorption, and eases peak electricity supply pressure. It also serves as an important demonstration for the integration of ‘generation-grid-load-storage’ and multi-energy complementarity,” said a relevant official from State Grid Yinchuan Electric Power Company.

---

CENSA Upcoming Events:

1. Dec.4-5 | 2025 China Energy Storage CEO Summit | Xiamen, Fujian

Register Now to attend

Read more: http://en.cnesa.org/new-events-1/2025/12/4/dec4-5-2025-china-energy-storage-ceo-summit

2. Apr. 1-3, 2026 | The 14th Energy Storage International Conference & Expo

Register Now to attend, free before Oct 31, 2025.

Read more: https://en.cnesa.org/new-events-1/2026/4/1/apr-1-apr3-the-14th-energy-storage-international-exhibition-amp-expo

Australia Opens Capacity Investment Scheme Tender 8, Seeking 16GWh of Energy Storage across NEM

Source: Energy Storage News

---

Pacific Green was one of the successful participants in the CIS, with the Limestone Coast Energy Park (pictured) having been awarded a CISA. Image: Pacific Green.

The Australian government has officially opened the Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) Tender 8, targeting 16GWh of energy storage capacity across the National Electricity Market (NEM).

The tender represents the largest single energy storage procurement under the CIS programme, reflecting the government’s accelerated deployment timeline for grid-scale storage infrastructure.

Tender 8 registrations opened earlier today (28 November) and will close on 23 January, with submissions closing on 6 February. The tender specifically targets energy storage projects with a minimum 4-hour duration requirement, emphasising the government’s focus on medium-duration storage technologies capable of providing extended grid support services during peak demand periods and renewable energy intermittency events.

The 16GWh capacity target represents a substantial increase from previous tender rounds and aligns with Australia’s expanded CIS target of a total 40GW of renewables and energy storage.

The tender incorporates streamlined assessment processes developed through previous rounds, building on reforms introduced when the government unveiled four tenders for 2025.

These process improvements aim to reduce assessment timeframes and provide greater certainty for project developers while maintaining rigorous evaluation criteria for technical capability, financial viability, and grid integration requirements.

Eligible technologies under Tender 8 include battery energy storage systems, pumped hydro energy storage (PHES), compressed air energy storage, and other proven energy storage technologies capable of meeting the 4-hour minimum duration requirement.

The tender excludes hybrid renewable energy projects, focusing exclusively on standalone energy storage systems that can provide grid services, including frequency regulation, voltage support, and energy arbitrage across multiple market timeframes.

The CIS has demonstrated significant success in previous tender rounds, with substantial energy storage capacity awarded across multiple procurement cycles. 

Tender 3 resulted in over 15GWh of energy storage being awarded to successful applicants, while Tender 4 saw 11.4GWh of solar-plus-storage projects receive government support through the programme.

The scheme provides revenue support through Capacity Investment Scheme Agreements (CISAs) that supplement market revenues, enabling project developers to secure financing for energy storage projects that might otherwise face commercial viability challenges in merchant market conditions.

The support mechanism includes floor and ceiling price arrangements that provide revenue certainty while maintaining market exposure and incentives for efficient operation.

Tender 8 evaluation criteria encompass technical specifications, commercial arrangements, grid connection requirements and project development timelines.

Projects must demonstrate grid connection agreements or advanced connection applications with relevant transmission network service providers, along with evidence of site control, environmental approvals, and financial capacity to complete construction and commissioning activities.

The geographic distribution requirements under Tender 8 aim to ensure the deployment of energy storage across multiple states and regions within the NEM, thereby supporting grid resilience and renewable energy integration under diverse network conditions.

The scheme includes milestone requirements and progress reporting obligations to ensure that successful projects advance through the development, construction, and commissioning phases according to agreed-upon schedules.

The DCCEEW will conduct information sessions for potential applicants during December 2025 and January 2026, providing guidance on application requirements, evaluation criteria and commercial arrangements.

Successful Tender 8 projects are expected to be announced in mid-2026, with CISAs enabling project financing and construction commencement. You can find out more about CIS Tender 8 on the official website.

---

CENSA Upcoming Events:

1. Dec.4-5 | 2025 China Energy Storage CEO Summit | Xiamen, Fujian

Register Now to attend

Read more: http://en.cnesa.org/new-events-1/2025/12/4/dec4-5-2025-china-energy-storage-ceo-summit

2. Apr. 1-3, 2026 | The 14th Energy Storage International Conference & Expo

Register Now to attend, free before Oct 31, 2025.

Read more: https://en.cnesa.org/new-events-1/2026/4/1/apr-1-apr3-the-14th-energy-storage-international-exhibition-amp-expo

73 Billion Yuan Investment! 4.8 GWh of Energy Storage! SPIC Launches 19.44 GW “Desert-Gobi-Wasteland” Mega Project

Source: CCTV News

---

On November 27, according to the State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC), construction has officially begun in Xining, Qinghai Province on China's largest power supply project with the highest share of new energy - the Qinghai Hainan Clean Energy Delivery Base Project, part of the national “Desert-Gobi-Wasteland” mega base initiative.

“Desert-Gobi-Wasteland” refers to vast desert and semi-arid regions, which are rich in wind and solar resources. The project in Qinghai's Hainan Prefecture represents a total investment of nearly 73 billion yuan, with a planned installed capacity of 19.44 GW. New energy accounts for 86.4% of the total, including 9.6 GW of solar PV, 6 GW of wind power, 2.64 GW of supporting coal-fired power, and 1.2 GW/4-hour of electrochemical energy storage (4.8 GWh). The project will transmit electricity directly to Guangdong via a ±800 kV ultra-high-voltage DC transmission line with a capacity of 8 GW.

Once completed, the project will generate an average of 36,000 GWh of electricity annually, equivalent to saving about 10 million tons of standard coal and reducing carbon emissions by roughly 23.5 million tons. It will deliver 36,000 GWh of power annually to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, playing a major strategic role in optimizing China's energy mix and supporting high-quality development in the eastern region.

---

CENSA Upcoming Events:

1. Dec.4-5 | 2025 China Energy Storage CEO Summit | Xiamen, Fujian

Register Now to attend

Read more: http://en.cnesa.org/new-events-1/2025/12/4/dec4-5-2025-china-energy-storage-ceo-summit

2. Apr. 1-3, 2026 | The 14th Energy Storage International Conference & Expo

Register Now to attend, free before Oct 31, 2025.

Read more: https://en.cnesa.org/new-events-1/2026/4/1/apr-1-apr3-the-14th-energy-storage-international-exhibition-amp-expo

‘Rapid Growth but Disorderly Competiton’: Longi Enters Energy Storage Industry with PotisEdge Deal

Source: Energy Storage News

---

Longi PotisEdge Presidents agreeing marking the new partnership with a ceremony in London. Image: Longi.

PotisEdge manufactures BESS and all its components (except cells) from its facilities in Suzhou, and soon Georgia, US. Here, battery modules are being sorted and assembled into packs, prior to BESS assembly. Image: PotisEdge.

We caught up with the president of system integrator PotisEdge following news of its acquisition by Longi, which marks the Chinese solar PV giant’s move into the energy storage industry.

News of Longi’s acquisition of PotisEdge first emerged on 13 November, with a public notice on the Shaanxi Provincial Administration for Market Regulation website. It revealed that Longi Green Energy Technology has agreed to acquire c.62% of PotisEdge via an equity acquisition, capital increase and voting rights, giving it sole control of the firm. Prior to the deal, PotisEdge was 44.79% held by individuals.

Longi and PotisEdge are characterising the deal as a partnership via which Longi will launch its ‘Energy Storage One-Stop Solution’, as it now covers solar, hydrogen and energy storage. Longi said its energy storage solution will be deployed first in key markets such as the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain.

Longi VP Dennis She said in the announcement: “The current development stage of the energy storage industry is very similar to the early days of solar — confidence-driven rapid growth, but also bringing disorderly competition. The future dimension of competition in energy storage has evolved from ‘having the technology’ to ‘value reliability.”

 

PotisEdge president: Combination will offer opportunities

Speaking to Energy-Storage.news at an event in London marking the deal, PotisEdge founder and president Minjie Shi said: “Longi will bring the strong brand name and a big market to PotisEdge, and the combination of the two companies offers big opportunities to the market.”

“We are a technology company that designs and manufactures all the key components with the exception of the battery cells. We’re highly integrated, and that’s allowed us to gain a good reputation and solve market challenges,” Shi said.

“Battery cell manufacturing and system integration are totally different. Battery cells are a chemistry process, system integration is about controls, software, hardware and intelligent systems.”

 

Core technology offering

The firm’s offering is built around the five ‘S’s: BMS (battery management system), EMS (energy management system), PCS (power conversion system), TMS (thermal management system) and its proprietary ICCS (intelligent cell contact system) technology for predicting thermal runaway.

In September, the firm launched a 6.25MWh AC BESS product with string inverters and its ICCS technology for fire safety. The tech is designed for monitoring and protection of battery cells, to prevent thermal runaway and ensure safe operation of the system. It provides early warnings, predictions and an immediate response to potential cell malfunctions.

Before the AC launch, its grid-scale products were DC products. “Amongst the 12GWh of deployments, that has mainly been DC products, especially the 5MWh unit. Now we are shipping the all-in-one AC solution,” Shi said, adding that all regions are showing demand for both DC and AC products.

He added that the PotisEdge brand would remain for the foreseeable future, as it had over a decade of experience in the BESS industry with 12GWh deployed. It has mainly been active in the grid-scale segment, with deployments to date primarily in China, but also in North America, Europe and Australia.

 

Markets

“Europe is an important market for us, we’ve already delivered for a few sites here like Italy,” he said.

It has 31GWh manufacturing capacity from its facility in Suzhou, China, and a 4-6GWh one in Atlanta, Georgia, US, set to start manufacturing next year. The Atlanta facility will produce the same products as its Suzhou facility, but will be more automated, with only 100 employees needed, Shi said.

“For the US market, the main thing is to localise production, and we’ve focused on solving this for the last two years. All companies are facing that same challenge.”

PotisEdge is also working on a modular BESS solution, as many other system integrators and BESS manufacturers have done in response to transportation issues with ever more energy-dense and heavy 20-foot containers.

As part of its expansion into storage with PotisEdge, Longi will establish a Solar-Storage Technology Innovation Center Center of Excellence in Europe, it said.

Chinese solar PV companies have steadily moved into energy storage, seeking to capitalise on its growth opportunities but also to offset falling profits in their core market as the sector suffers from over-supply. See all coverage of Longi by our sister site PV Tech here.

PotisEdge president Minjie Shi and Energy-Storage.news reporter Cameron Murray.

(By Cameron Murray)

---

CENSA Upcoming Events:

1. Dec.4-5 | 2025 China Energy Storage CEO Summit | Xiamen, Fujian

Register Now to attend

Read more: http://en.cnesa.org/new-events-1/2025/12/4/dec4-5-2025-china-energy-storage-ceo-summit

2. Apr. 1-3, 2026 | The 14th Energy Storage International Conference & Expo

Register Now to attend, free before Oct 31, 2025.

Read more: https://en.cnesa.org/new-events-1/2026/4/1/apr-1-apr3-the-14th-energy-storage-international-exhibition-amp-expo