On April 29th, at the National Energy Administration's press conference, Bian Guangqi, Deputy Director of the Department of Energy Conservation and Technology Equipment, introduced the latest developments in the construction of new energy storage in China:
The new energy storage continues to develop rapidly. By the end of the first quarter of 2024, the cumulative installed capacity of new energy storage projects that have been completed and put into operation nationwide has reached 35.3 million kilowatts/77.68 million kilowatt-hours (35.3GW/77.68GWh), which is an increase of over 12% from the end of 2023, and an increase of over 210% from the end of the first quarter of 2023. It is reported that by the end of 2023, the cumulative installed capacity of new energy storage projects that have been completed and put into operation nationwide had reached 31.39 million kilowatts/66.87 million kilowatt-hours. Based on this calculation, the installed capacity of new energy storage projects put into operation in the first quarter is 3.91 million kilowatts/10.81 million kilowatt-hours (3.91GW/10.81GWh). Among the projects in operation, looking at the installed capacity, the new energy storage power stations are gradually showing a trend towards centralization and large-scale development. Projects with an installed capacity of less than 10,000 kilowatts account for 6.7% of the total installed capacity, projects with an installed capacity between 10,000 and 100,000 kilowatts account for 38.5%, and projects with an installed capacity of more than 100,000 kilowatts account for 54.8%.
In terms of storage duration, the average storage duration of new energy storage projects in China is 2.2 hours. Projects with a storage duration of less than 2 hours account for 12.9% of the total installed capacity, projects with a storage duration of 2-4 hours account for 74.6%, and projects with a storage duration of more than 4 hours account for 12.5%.
In terms of regional distribution, the Northwest region, with its abundant wind and solar resources, has become the fastest-growing region for new energy storage in China. The Northwest region has already put into operation 10.3 GW of new energy storage, accounting for 29.2% of the national total. The North China region accounts for 25.3%, the Central China region for 17.5%, the South China region for 15.2%, the East China region for 12.3%, and the Northeast region for 0.5%.
Secondly, continuous breakthroughs in technological innovation have led to the initial success of pilot demonstration projects for new energy storage. At the beginning of 2024, the National Energy Administration officially announced a list of 56 new energy storage pilot demonstration projects through a public notice. This list covers the main technical approaches currently applied in engineering, including 17 lithium-ion batteries, 11 compressed air energy storage systems, 8 flow batteries, 8 hybrid energy storage systems, 3 gravity energy storage systems, 3 flywheel energy storage systems, 2 sodium-ion batteries, 2 carbon dioxide energy storage systems, 1 lead-carbon battery, and 1 liquid air energy storage system. Since the release of the list, related work has been steadily progressing, with some demonstration projects successfully integrating into the grid operation, effectively driving the implementation of new technologies.
Thirdly, there is ongoing improvement in the dispatch mechanism for new energy storage, promoting its regulatory role. With the rapid development of new energy sources, the power system demands greater regulation capabilities. To enhance the utilization rate of new energy storage and to leverage its regulatory function, the National Energy Administration adheres to a "problem-oriented, systematic concept" approach, refining policies and measures, and has issued the "Notice on Promoting the Grid Connection and Scheduling Utilization of New Energy Storage" (Guoneng Fa Ke Ji Gui [2024] No. 26). The document aims to standardize the grid connection access of new energy storage and promote its efficient dispatch utilization, setting specific requirements for power grid companies, power dispatch organizations, and new energy storage project units.
Moving forward, the National Energy Administration will continue to refine the policy system for new energy storage, encourage technological innovation, sustain the advancement of the new energy storage technology industry, guide the scientific allocation and dispatch utilization of various energy storage types, promote the regulatory function of new energy storage, and support the construction of a new energy system and a new electric power system.