Since the beginning of this year, energy storage cells with capacities of over 300Ah have gradually replaced the 280Ah cells, becoming the mainstream in the energy storage market.
From the demand side, the demand for 300Ah+ capacity batterries in energy storage tenders has increased. For instance, China Electric Equipment recently disclosed its procurement plan, which explicitly included the purchase of some 314Ah lithium iron phosphate cells.
On the supply side, more and more leading companies have launched 300Ah+ energy storage system products. For example, during the 2024 SNEC, Trina Storage not only released the new generation of Potentia Blue Ocean 2 equipped with the self-developed automotive-grade A-class superior 314Ah Trina cells but also showcased a 500Ah+ high-capacity cell leading 7MWh energy storage technology.
Overall, leading manufacturers such as EVE Energy,Center Power, Hithium Energy Storage, and SVolt have also launched 500Ah+ super large energy storage cells.
So, apart from the pull from the demand side, what other reasons are driving the increase in the capacity of energy storage cells?
On a deeper look, the increase in cell capacity is also related to cost reduction and market capture. Currently, large-capacity cells are mainly used in large-scale energy storage scenarios on the grid side and power supply side. Fewer clusters of large-capacity cells help reduce system integration costs.
For example, Hithium launched its MIC 1130Ah cell at the end of 2023, with a 15% increase in volumetric energy density and a 15% reduction in cost per Wh, which can help reduce the cost of DC-side energy storage systems by 25%.
In the long run, cells are the core components of energy storage systems and also the major cost component. Energy storage companies that delve into and master large cell technology can reduce costs while also enhancing their competitiveness, building a wide moat.
However, it is important to note that increasing cell capacity also brings risks. Energy storage station accidents reported domestically and internationally this year serve as cautionary tales. Related companies need to pay special attention to the thermal runaway risks associated with larger cell capacities.
It is foreseeable that the trend of increasing cell capacity will continue, but for the energy storage industry to achieve high-quality development, it must balance price and safety.
Source：Solarbe
