Date: Dec 28, 2018
China is poised to add a significant amount of battery storage to its utility grid next year. And it’s backing two horses in the energy storage race — both lithium-ion and flow batteries are part of the plan. China’s renewable energy portfolio now stands at 706 gigawatts according to Bloomberg but too much of that is wasted, or curtailed as they say in the utility industry. 7.7% of the electricity generated by wind turbines is curtailed as is 2.9% of electricity from solar panels.
A 250kW / 1MWh flow battery module is given its final inspection by VRB Energy quality assurance staff at the Hubei site. Credit: VRB Energy.
New Lithium-Ion Storage Approved
Chinese regulators have approved a $174 million investment in the northwestern province of Gansu for the installation of a 720 MWh lithium-ion grid storage battery. It will be the first part phase of a new energy storage project in the region. When completed it will be able to store electricity for up to 4 hours, says Bloomberg.
The Gansu Provincial Development & Reform Commission says subsequent expansion of the project will depend on market conditions and the needs of the electrical grid. Once completed, it will be the country’s largest virtual power plant.
