On July 24, at the highly anticipated National Conference on New Energy Storage Technology and Engineering Applications, Guangzhou Zhiguang Energy Storage Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Zhiguang Energy Storage”) took center stage as a leading advocate and pioneer of cascaded high-voltage, large-capacity energy storage technology. The company's Technical Director, Mr. Tang Xu, delivered a keynote speech titled “Full Lifecycle Value of Cascaded High-Voltage Large-Capacity Energy Storage Systems”, offering a deep dive into the strategic path for maximizing energy storage value in today’s market.
I. Market Transformation: Returning Energy Storage to Operational Value
With the implementation of Policy No. 136, new energy power pricing has become fully market-driven. As a core resource to smooth renewable fluctuations and enhance grid flexibility, the value of energy storage is increasingly prominent. Mr. Tang pointed out that the focus of energy storage station development is shifting from cost competition to value extraction across the full lifecycle. He proposed three key strategies:
Demand Layer Penetration: Precisely identify power supply-demand relationships, regional energy structures (e.g., peak shaving in areas with high renewable penetration), and load characteristics (e.g., time-of-use pricing opportunities in C&I zones) to pinpoint the most valuable storage applications.
Breakthrough in Drivers: Go beyond the traditional cost-sharing model and focus on profitable business models (e.g., peak-valley arbitrage, ancillary services), grid flexibility (frequency and voltage regulation), and the sustainability of long-term returns—transforming storage from a supporting facility into a standalone profit center.
Scenario-Based Deployment: Quantify power-capacity configuration models based on regional electricity pricing and substation capacity limits. Accurately match transaction types (energy, ancillary services) with market rules (regional mechanisms), infusing energy storage with "market DNA."
Mr. Tang emphasized that equipment selection should be based on market analysis, rejecting simplistic capacity stacking and prioritizing compatibility with application scenarios. For peak-shaving use, devices with long cycle life and high efficiency are ideal; for frequency regulation, fast response is critical. Modular and standardized designs can further reduce costs and improve system efficiency.
II. Zhiguang’s Cascaded High-Voltage Solution: A Full Lifecycle Value Benchmark
Zhiguang’s cascaded high-voltage large-capacity storage solution is built on a cascaded topology and offers several technical advantages:
High-voltage Direct Grid Connection: Direct access to 35kV grids without a step-up transformer reduces initial investment (transformer and cable costs typically account for 8–10%), cuts station land usage by 20%, and lowers system losses by over 5%.
Ultra-large Unit Capacity & High Efficiency: With single-unit capacity up to 100MW and system round-trip efficiency reaching 92%, the solution significantly enhances project economics.
Outstanding Grid Support Capability: Features strong grid-forming capability, one-click black start for the entire station, millisecond-level 100MW power support, and stable island operation under load.
In terms of full lifecycle value, the solution excels:
Longer Lifespan, Lower Maintenance Costs: The no-parallel-cell design avoids bottleneck effects, extending system life by 10–20% and greatly reducing maintenance and replacement costs. Modular design enables automatic bypass and rapid fault recovery.
Superior Long-term Efficiency: Round-trip efficiency remains above 91%, outperforming peers by over 5%, directly boosting long-term project returns.
Compared to Traditional Low-voltage Systems: Cascaded systems avoid high multi-stage voltage conversion losses and the operational complexity of paralleling battery clusters, making them far superior.
Illustration: Revenue comparison chart of a 25MW/50MWh system under varying charge/discharge efficiencies
Intelligent O&M Empowerment for Enhanced Lifecycle Value
Zhiguang’s proprietary 5S Intelligent Platform (PCS/BMS/EMS/CMS/DMS) creates a closed-loop system for full-lifecycle management—from R&D to delivery, operation, and energy trading.
Cloud-Edge Collaboration & 3D Digital Twin: Enables full-scenario real-time monitoring, intelligent dispatch, and remote O&M, improving operational efficiency and energy trading accuracy.
Power Market Analytics: Offers multi-dimensional analysis and visualization of electricity spot and ancillary service markets to support operational decision-making.
III. Leading the Transformation to Build the Future Power System
Amid the construction of a unified national electricity spot market and the resulting price volatility, Zhiguang Energy Storage has proposed an innovative model of “Intelligent Grid-Forming + Scenario Integration.” This approach not only sets an example for breaking industry-wide internal competition but also supports the transformation of energy storage companies from equipment providers to comprehensive energy service integrators.
Looking ahead, Zhiguang Energy Storage will accelerate the industrial rollout of its cascaded high-voltage large-capacity storage systems, contributing core technological strength to the development of a new power system dominated by renewables.
