“Solar-storage-charging” refers to systems which use distributed solar PV generation equipment to create energy which is then stored and later used to charge electric vehicles. This model combines solar PV, energy storage, and vehicle charging technologies together, allowing each to support and coordinate with one another.
Solar-storage-charging has seen a flourish of new expansion in 2019, powered by improvements in all three technologies and growing policy support.
Solar-storage-charging technologies in China began with the 2017 launch of the first solar-storage-charging station in Shanghai’s Songjiang District. Rapid technological advances have led to increased charging speeds and increasingly widespread use of charging stations.
In the Thirteenth Five-year Plan policy, energy storage was included as part of the National Climate Change Plan. The plan called for development of low-carbon technologies, including increased solar and wind generation, as well as large-scale renewable integration with energy storage. Emphasis was placed on developing solar-plus-storage technologies. The release of the Guiding Opinions on Promoting Energy Storage Technology and Industry Development helped to increase the development of the combined solar PV, energy storage, and EV charging model.
With investment and construction of solar-storage-charging infrastructure rapidly expanding, the green power era may not be far away. Below, CNESA explores some of the solar-storage-charging infrastructure that has been put into operation this year.
1. Zhejiang Province’s First Solar-storage-charging Microgrid
In April, Zhejiang province’s first solar-storage-charging integrated micogrid was officially launched at the Jiaxing Power Park, providing power for the park’s buildings. The project integrates solar PV generation, distributed energy storage, and charging stations. Generation is enough to meet the demands of the park, and production and demand are nearly balanced. The system also provides a reference point and data for research into integrated energy systems.
2. TBEA Launches First Industrial Park Solar-storage-charging Demonstration Project
Also in April, TBEA’s first solar-storage-charging microgrid demonstration project based on a two-part demand response pricing system completed its three-month trial operation. The project is located at TBEA’s Xi’an industrial park. The project includes a 2MWp solar PV generation system, 1MW/1MWh energy storage system, and a 960kW EV charging system. The project helps lower the industrial park’s electricity costs by 30%, and the PV generation also has a 100% self-use rate, making the system a good model for commercial promotion across other industrial and commercial parks.
3. Changjiang Smart Distributed Energy Deploys its First Solar-storage-charging System
In May, the “Shanghai Yangtze River Solar Charging Station” was officially put into operation. The station was an investment of Three Gorges Electric subsidiary Changjiang Smart Distributed Energy Co. The station became the first integrated solar PV, energy storage, and EV charging smart microgrid demonstration project in Shanghai’s Jiading District. Once this logistics-dedicated charging station enters regular operation, it will reduce the cost of freight transportation across Jiading by up to 60%。
4. Guangxi‘s First Solar-storage-charging Integrated Energy Services Station
In July, Guangxi’s first integrated energy services station began official operations in Liuzhou. The project was the result of a 30 million RMB investment by the China Southern Grid Guangxi Liuzhou Power Supply Bureau to build two integrated energy service stations in the Liubei and Liunan Districts of Liuzhou city. The service station integrates DC fast charging, solar PV, and energy storage, and is currently the biggest comprehensive energy storage service station investment in Guangxi, featuring the greatest number of parking spaces and most advanced technologies of any station in the province.
5. State Grid Hubei’s First Solar-storage-charging Station Launched in Wuhan City
October saw the launch of State Grid Hubei’s first solar-storage-charging station in Wuhan. According to reports, Wuhan had a total of 452 EV charging station as of September 2019. Of these, State Grid operated 73 stations, while others were operated by TGood, Star Charge, Potevio, and other private operators. The entire city of Wuhan was home to approximately 60,000 chargers and a nearly equal number of electric vehicles, for a ratio of almost 1:1.
6. The First “Nonstop Power” Integrated Smart Charging Station in Datong, Shanxi
Also in October, Shanxi City Power New Energy Co. and Huazhong University of Science and Technology’s joint research and construction project, a “nonstop power” smart charging station, went into operation in Datong, Shanxi province. The system functions by utilizing rooftop solar generation during peak daytime periods to power buildings and electric vehicles, with unused generation stored in a battery system. During daytime periods when daylight is not at its peak, the system will use both solar generation and stored energy to power buildings and vehicles, providing a stable supply of energy. Charging is also conducted in the evening when energy prices are lower while discharge occurs during daytime peak energy use periods. This peak shifting model helps cut down electricity expenditures. If the power grid should shut down, the energy storage station can provide power for buildings independently, providing an emergency power source that is safe to use, and guaranteeing “nonstop power.”
7. Shaanxi Province’s First Solar-storage-charging Station
October also saw the launch of Shaanxi province’s first integrated, high-power solar-storage-charging smart station. The station is named the “Tengfei Charging Station” and is located at the Xi’an Xianyang International Airport. It is the airport’s first fast-charging station to be available to the public. The system features 18 fast-charging dual DC charging points, allowing 36 electric vehicles to be charges simultaneously. The station is also equipped with one set of 600 kW and two sets of 360 kW flexible group charging and group control units, as well as a 100 kW photovoltaic canopy consisting of 360 photovoltaic panels and a 300 ampere-hour energy storage system. The distributed solar PV system is expected to provide a yearly generation capacity of up to 120,000 kWh. During off-peak and normal pricing periods, the energy storage system will store energy and release it during peak price periods, allowing for two charge cycles and two discharge cycles in one day, providing the chargers with up to 600 kWh of energy. Annual charge and discharge capacity is as high as 220,000 kWh.
8. Fujian Province’s First Solar-storage-charging Integrated Bus Station
As of October, the Jinjiang Chenye Binjiang Business District bus charging station can now charge electric buses using solar power. The charging station is part of the Quanzhou Power Supply Company’s series of Internet of Things construction projects, and is the province’s first integrated solar-storage-charging station. Eight million RMB was invested to construct the charging station. According to the regulations of the Provincial Price Bureau and current collection of charging service fees in the market, the bus charging station has an annual income of approximately 580,000 RMB. The investment recovery period is expected to be six years, and the project can save 50,000 to 100,000 kWh of electricity for bus charging each year. In addition, in comparison to traditional buses which use diesel fuel, an electric bus traveling 200 km a day would be able to reduce carbon emissions by 47 kg.
For more information on the above and other solar-storage-charging stations, CNESA database subscribers can visit the official CNESA Research website (www.esresearch.com.cn) “Industry Tracking” and “Global Energy Storage Database.”
Conclusion
Solar-storage-charging technology is steadily advancing. Yet the road forward is not necessarily smooth. Energy storage costs are still high, investment costs for solar-storage-charging developers are large, return periods are long, and numerous other problems still encircle investors and inhibit development. However, as technological advancements continue, restrictive costs fall, and with the global recognition of decarbonization, green energy solutions are being given an ever-greater development space. Solar-storage-charging will likewise have room to expand, providing an additional avenue for a commercial and profitable energy storage industry.