‘World’s first’ large-scale semi-solid BESS connects to grid in China

By Cameron Murray

July 8, 2024

A 100MW/200MWh project using semi-solid batteries has been connected to the grid in Zhejiang, China, reportedly the first project of its scale in the world.

The Zhejiang Longquan lithium iron phosphate (LFP) energy storage demonstration project in Longquan city was grid connected and put into trial operation at the start of June.

The system uses 280Ah semi-solid batteries produced by Weilan New Energy, according to local reports, and has been claimed as the largest project of its type using the technology.

Semi-solid and solid-state batteries use solid electrolytes rather than the liquid ones that conventional lithium-ion batteries use. The technologies hold promise for electric vehicle (EV) and energy storage system (ESS) applications with potential for superior energy density, charging time, safety and longevity, but the tech has yet to be deployed commercially at scale.

Power solutions firm Kehua Tech meanwhile supplied the power conversion systems (PCS), Kehua said last week (3 July). Kehua installed 25 sets of 5MW skids using 1.25MW high-performance energy storage converters, which are connected in parallel to a single 5,000kVA transformer, achieving a 35kV AC grid-connected output.

Numerous large-scale energy storage projects using novel technology are being deployed in China. Last week, it was reported that the first half of the world’s largest sodium-ion BESS came online, in Hubei province.

March saw the world’s first large-scale project using Energy Vault’s gravity energy storage tech connected to the grid, while two years ago, a 400MWh vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) was commissioned, in Dalian.

24M is one company notable for advancing the commercialisation of semi-solid battery technology.

https://www.energy-storage.news/worlds-first-large-scale-semi-solid-bess-connects-to-grid-in-china/