On July 24, 2025, the “Generation-Grid-Load-Storage Intelligence Multi-Scenario User-Side Energy Storage Application Forum and Research Results Release on Low-Carbon Power Supply Assurance and Flexibility Resource Potential in Load Centers,” organized by the China Energy Storage Alliance and co-organized by GoodWe Technologies Co., Ltd., was held in Suzhou, Jiangsu. The event focused on the development paths of user-side energy storage under the backdrop of new power system construction, and provided solutions for energy transition in load center regions through the release of research findings and discussions on multi-scenario applications.
During the morning research results release session, the China Energy Storage Alliance and the research team from South China University of Technology, in cooperation with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), released four research reports: the main report and energy storage sub-report of the “Research on Low-Carbon Power Supply Assurance and Flexibility Resource Potential in Load Centers – Eastern Region,” and the main report and energy storage sub-report of the “Research on Low-Carbon Power Supply Assurance and Flexibility Resource Potential in Load Centers – Southern Region.” The four reports systematically analyzed, from the perspective of regional resource optimization, the potential of three types of low-carbon power supply assurance and flexibility resources—new energy storage on the grid side, demand-side resources, and inter-provincial and inter-regional mutual support—in the eastern and southern regions, along with supporting mechanisms for their development. They also provided suggestions focused on the value and development path of new energy storage in the near and medium term, offering reference points for promoting energy structure optimization, power supply assurance, and green transition in load centers. For details, see: Research Results Release and Expert Discussion: The Potential of Low-Carbon Flexibility Resources such as Energy Storage.
The afternoon “Generation-Grid-Load-Storage Intelligence, Energy Convergence in Suzhou” Forum was hosted by Zhang Biheng, Director of Energy Storage Market at GoodWe. The session deeply explored the multi-scenario applications of user-side energy storage from perspectives including market and policy, electricity market mechanisms, solutions, financial empowerment, and zero-carbon park practices.
Opportunities and Challenges of User-Side Energy Storage
In the report “User-Side Energy Storage Market and Policy Analysis,” Sun Jiawei, Senior Research Manager at the China Energy Storage Alliance, pointed out that as of the end of June 2025, cumulative user-side energy storage installations reached 7.24 GW / 19.27 GWh, showing a year-on-year growth of 74% / 63% compared to 2024, mainly distributed across Jiangsu, Guangdong, and Zhejiang provinces. With policies such as Document No. 136 promoting the marketization of new energy, the business model of user-side energy storage is expanding from simple peak-valley arbitrage to diversified models such as PV-storage-charging integration and virtual power plants. However, policy fluctuations have led to a narrowing of arbitrage margins, and some projects face pressure on returns. Currently, user-side energy storage still faces challenges such as inconsistent filing procedures, safety risks, and customer defaults. Recommendations include strengthening technological innovation, optimizing operation strategies, and deepening policy research to address market uncertainties and safeguard developers’ investment return expectations.
New Energy Market Entry Accelerates Multi-Entity Marketization
In the report “Discussion on Power Market Mechanism Design under the Background of New Energy Market Entry,” Zheng Yaxian, Deputy Director of the Power Market Division, Power Automation Institute, China Electric Power Research Institute, stated that the market entry of new energy will accelerate the multi-entity marketization process. It is necessary to integrate flexibility resources such as user-side energy storage into the competition, using market mechanisms to collaboratively enhance renewable energy consumption and grid security, thereby achieving economic balance. The current market pricing mechanism faces three main challenges: risk in new energy spot market returns, optimization of the day-ahead market mechanism, and technical difficulties posed by massive access of distributed new energy. In the long term, power market reform needs to establish a more complete ancillary services market, implement capacity mechanisms, optimize medium- and long-term trading, and promote multi-entity participation to build a safe and economical market-based system.
GoodWe’s Integrated Layout of “Generation-Grid-Load-Storage Intelligence”
Li Xiang, Solutions Manager at GoodWe Solar Academy, shared “User-Side Energy Storage Solutions.” GoodWe has fully deployed in the user-side energy storage market, launching three scenario-based solutions:
In the residential storage sector, it has created a “Home Green Power System” achieving 4ms seamless switching and 150% three-phase unbalanced output;
In the industrial and commercial storage sector, it has launched PV-storage integrated solutions—from PV-storage hybrid inverters and energy torage PCS to all-in-one energy storage cabinets—offering full-series and all-scenario adaptability, equipped with six-layer protections including cell-level safety protection and intelligent monitoring systems;
In large-scale storage, it adopts string-type PCS technology to achieve string-level management with a system efficiency of up to 98%. The entire product line covers a power range of 5 kW to 5 MW, constructing an integrated energy ecosystem of “Generation-Grid-Load-Storage Intelligence.”
User-Side Energy Storage Investment and Operation
Gan Yubo, General Manager of ZGC Sci-tech Leasing Hangzhou Center, shared insights on “How Technology Leasing Empowers Investment and Operation of User-Side Energy Storage Projects.” ZGC Sci-tech Leasing has focused on energy storage, EV charging and swapping, and eight other technology tracks, promoting an innovative “equity + debt” model. It offers customized financial solutions for specific scenarios such as mining sites and oilfields, helping tech innovation enterprises overcome the bottleneck from technical validation to commercialization. ZGC Sci-tech Leasing focuses on two types of energy storage investment opportunities:
First, innovative scenarios (such as virtual power plants and zero-carbon park integrated energy solutions), where it is willing to explore development jointly with enterprises;
Second, standardized industrial and commercial energy storage projects with a required payback period of 3–5 years.
Zero-Carbon Park Development and Energy Storage Application
Gao Xinwen, Chairman of Suzhou Qinglan Industrial Co., Ltd., shared thoughts on the development of zero-carbon parks and energy storage applications in Suzhou. According to incomplete statistics, there are over 2,000 various types of parks (in-park zones, development zones, etc.) in Suzhou. Currently, most of these parks remain blank in terms of greening and zero-carbon transformation. With the gradual advancement and implementation of relevant policies, incremental market space will be unlocked. However, due to enterprise number fluctuations in parks, unstable electricity usage, and the high cost and difficulty of retrofitting existing parks, the degree of integration with energy storage remains relatively low. Additionally, there is a need to address risks caused by the singularity of storage profitability, which is subject to policy and market fluctuations. Park operators and energy storage providers should take advantage of the zero-carbon park opportunity to develop diversified profit models to hedge against risks.
This user-side energy storage forum successfully established a platform for in-depth industry dialogue, bringing together experts and representatives from research institutions, the industry, and enterprises. Multiple recommendations were proposed regarding the development path of user-side energy storage under the new power system. The event identified three key trends:
First, under policy-driven momentum, the investment logic of energy storage is shifting from single price-difference arbitrage to diversified models;
Second, the spot market and ancillary service mechanisms will reconstruct the energy storage value assessment system;
Third, technological innovation and scenario integration are becoming the core paths to overcoming profitability bottlenecks.
Through the convergence of insights from multiple parties, the event clarified a sustainable development direction of “short-term response to policy adjustments, medium- and long-term layout of market mechanisms,” helping guide the smooth transition of user-side energy storage from a policy-driven dividend period to a market-oriented development phase.