With the full opening of market demand, the technology, capacity, and cycle life of energy storage batteries are accelerating their iterations. Consequently, the capacity of containerized energy storage systems has also been gradually increasing. At the beginning of 2023, the standard capacity of a 20-foot single container was only 3.35 MWh. By the second half of the year, several companies successively launched energy storage cells with capacities exceeding 310 Ah, expanding the capacity of a 20-foot single container to 5 MWh.
Within less than six months of the 5 MWh model "update," leading energy storage companies such as GCL Group, CATL, BYD Energy Storage, SVOLT, REPT, Haichen Energy, and Narada Power released 6 MWh systems for 20-foot containers, pioneering the charge towards higher capacity systems.
GCL Group: On November 1, 2023, GCL Group announced a new storage system series named "Xin+." Its "Xinyu+" product, designed primarily for power station-level applications, uses 200 kWh large PACKs as the main design units, allowing a standard 20-foot container to achieve an energy storage capacity of up to 6 MWh.
Haichen Energy: On December 12, 2023, Haichen Energy introduced the MIC 1130Ah long-duration dedicated storage cell and a 20-foot 6 MWh battery system based on this cell. The adoption of the MIC 1130Ah cell improved system integration efficiency by 35%, significantly simplifying system complexity, reducing the comprehensive cost of the DC-side energy storage system by 25%. The MIC1130Ah battery offers up to 15,000 charge cycles and a system life of 25 years, significantly reducing the life-cycle cost of storage. Haichen Energy, through proprietary chemical systems, processes, and structures, has overcome challenges of large-capacity battery heat generation and safety, empowering long-duration applications with very high capacity, extended life, safety, and low cost.
CATL: On April 9, CATL released the world's first storage system capable of zero degradation over five years that can be mass-produced, named "Tianheng." The Tianheng storage system integrates features like "zero degradation over five years, 6.25MWh, and multidimensional safety," accelerating the scale-up and quality development of new energy storage applications. Housed within a standard 20-foot container, the system achieves a high-energy level of 6.25 MWh, increasing the energy density per unit area by 30% and reducing the overall footprint by 20%.
BYD Energy Storage: On April 11, BYD Energy Storage launched its new generation MC Cube-T system and a full range of energy storage solutions. The new MC Cube-T system complies with the new national standard GB/T 36276, offering a maximum capacity of 6.432 MWh. Each cell and cube can be increased by up to 11% in energy, with system energy capacity increased by up to 35.8%. The system adopts a modular design philosophy, allowing flexible combinations and capacities, reducing the typical layout space required by 24.7%.
Narada Power: On April 11, at the Beijing Energy Storage Expo, Narada Power presented its new generation of high-capacity energy storage solutions. The company introduced a 690Ah high-capacity battery, compatible with capacities from 650Ah to 750Ah, offering a life expectancy of 20 years. The 20-foot storage system using this battery achieves a capacity of 6 MWh and features a "zero" degradation over five years.
REPT: On April 12, REPT officially released a 6.9 MWh storage battery cabin. The cabin, still using a standard 20-foot container, features a single-side door design and supports both four-unit paralleling and whole-unit sea transport. REPT's new 6.9 MWh battery cabin upgrades to a new medium-voltage platform and achieves zero degradation over five years, further providing customers with economic benefits, safety, and longevity.
SVOLT: Focused on energy storage applications, SVOLT has developed high-capacity storage cells of 350Ah and 730Ah, and the world’s first 6.9 MWh 20-foot short-blade liquid-cooled storage system. Using its proprietary L500-325Ah/350Ah high-capacity storage cells, SVOLT introduced an extremely safe and cost-effective power storage product—the 6.9 MWh short-blade liquid-cooled storage system. This system adopts a CTR streamlined design, reducing components by 15% and saving up to 20% space compared to mainstream 5 MWh systems. It uses a single-door configuration, supports back-to-back arrangements, greatly enhancing project utilization.
Zhiguang Electric: At the ESIE 2024 Beijing Expo held from April 11 to 13, Zhiguang Electric proudly unveiled its new overseas industrial and commercial storage product—the 3.4 MW/6.8 MWh containerized liquid-cooled storage system and the 186 kW/372 kWh integrated liquid-cooled industrial and commercial unit, which received high acclaim from industry insiders. This product integrates PCS, BMS, and EMS, supports remote monitoring and updates, and implements comprehensive safety designs for batteries, BMS, and fire protection systems, achieving total safety for the entire BESS system. The vertical liquid cooling pipe design enhances battery performance and lifespan.
In summary, leveraging product advantages, leading energy storage battery companies have taken the lead in the new round of capacity upgrades. However, with the iterative cycle from 5 MWh to 6 MWh in less than six months, the challenge now is how to maintain this high ground and continue to lead. Fortunately, this wave of innovation spearheaded by top companies is undoubtedly beneficial for the energy storage industry, and we look forward to further bursts of creativity and vitality from these enterprises to advance the overall development of the energy storage industry to new heights.
Source：Century Energy Storage