Focus | Breaking Through Safety and Operations from the Ground Up: BYD Unveils New Industrial and Commercial Energy Storage Products!
Currently, industrial and commercial energy storage is gaining attention due to its clear market characteristics and is regarded as a segment with significant growth potential. As the transition to a green and low-carbon economy accelerates and energy storage costs decline rapidly, energy storage is beginning to penetrate various industrial and commercial users, being widely applied in numerous scenarios. However, this extensive application has created a complex situation, often leaving many businesses unsure of their direction. The available development areas are highly concentrated, attracting numerous participants and increasing competitive pressure. Additionally, adjustments in electricity prices and power market policies pose challenges for project operations, affecting both product quality and operational capabilities.
On March 26, BYD Energy Storage made a significant announcement at the 15th China International Clean Energy Expo, unveiling its new industrial and commercial energy storage system, Chess Plus. BYD Energy Storage has showcased its advanced technology and innovative design, affirming that industrial and commercial energy storage can guarantee safety while also being cost-effective and of high quality.
Understanding Cell Safety in Energy Storage
Over the past year, energy storage for industrial and commercial users has gradually moved towards standardization, with multiple regions releasing regulatory documents for energy storage project filings that require simultaneous completion of fire safety inspections upon grid connection. For energy storage companies, product safety has become a crucial factor influencing project development. If safety measures are inadequate, implementing projects on schedule becomes challenging.
To protect the safety of owners’ equipment and property, BYD’s Chess Plus system emphasizes stringent selection and control at multiple levels, from battery cells to PACK and system design, effectively reducing the risk of fire incidents. As the core of energy storage, the battery cell is fundamental to BYD’s ongoing success in this field. Since entering the energy storage market in 2008, BYD has accumulated over a decade of experience and is among the few manufacturers capable of integrating fire protection design at the battery cell level.
The newly launched Chess Plus system utilizes BYD’s specially designed thick blade battery cells, which incorporate ceramic materials with better insulation properties to resist corrosion and aging, thereby eliminating the risk of leakage. Additionally, the cells feature a unified tab design to enhance energy efficiency and an elongated aspect ratio for improved heat dissipation. These cells have successfully undergone rigorous testing under extreme conditions, validating their safety and reliability. At the product launch event, the Beijing Jianheng Certification Center awarded BYD Energy Storage with a certification for the Chess Plus thick blade battery cell, further confirming its safety performance.
Dr. Wang Xiaoye, Technical Director at BYD Energy Storage, noted that while most energy storage manufacturers conduct fire resistance tests on the cabinets, achieving a 2-hour fire containment, BYD selected high-fire-rated materials for the battery pack exterior, ensuring fire resistance for 2 hours. Moreover, their unique aerosol fire suppression system further reduces response times during fire incidents. The battery pack also boasts exceptional insulation performance, capable of withstanding a DC voltage of 3000V and an AC voltage of 2000V, which is more than double the industry standard, ensuring electrical safety.
In terms of cabinet design, to accommodate operations in areas prone to earthquakes and geological hazards, BYD’s industrial and commercial storage cabinets are designed with an 8-level seismic resistance rating. Considering the rainy climate in some regions, BYD has also implemented a sloped roof design to prevent water accumulation. Additionally, the product features a thermoelectric separation structure that effectively isolates heat-generating components from electrical components, mitigating risks associated with heat on the electrical system. Various electrical safety measures, including insulation testing and flood detection sensors, ensure that the system can respond promptly and maintain equipment safety under extreme conditions.
At the system level, BYD Energy Storage employs AI algorithms to predict potential risks and issue early warnings. The fire protection linkage system continuously monitors for abnormal signals such as temperature and smoke inside the cabinet, activating fire suppression and pressure relief mechanisms when necessary.
Multiple Trading Models Open Up; Operations and Maintenance are the Testing Standards
Globally, the rapid scaling of energy storage in recent years has largely been driven by demand from power sources and independent storage needs. Currently, industrial and commercial energy storage targets a broader user base, presenting vast market opportunities. With supportive electricity pricing policies, user-side energy storage has achieved higher utilization rates. For example, BYD’s user-side energy storage project in Jiangsu can achieve “two charges and two discharges” daily during summer and even participate in demand-side response programs during holidays to earn subsidies, resulting in annual earnings exceeding 30 million RMB, with a payback period of approximately three years.
Of course, achieving such returns requires high-quality energy storage systems. The market opportunities available for energy storage are gradually expanding, but this also tests the conversion efficiency and lifespan of energy storage systems, necessitating high availability rates. Should equipment fail, maintenance costs will extend the payback period significantly. To ensure users enjoy stable, long-term returns, the Chess Plus storage system utilizes high-efficiency, long-cycle battery cells, granting a cycle life exceeding 10,000 times. The system incorporates intelligent liquid cooling technology, ensuring consistent battery temperatures and significantly enhancing durability.
Moreover, BYD employs a hybrid thermal management system involving electrical air cooling and battery liquid cooling, improving heat dissipation while reducing energy consumption by 20% and extending lifespan by 30%, thereby lowering operational costs. It is crucial for industrial and commercial energy storage to adapt to electricity pricing policies and adjust operational strategies in real-time to secure theoretical returns for owners. Dr. Wang Xiaoye highlighted that the intelligent operations and maintenance of Chess Plus make managing the energy storage system more convenient and efficient, enhancing profitability.
BYD Energy Storage has implemented high-performance edge computing devices for real-time fault alerts and optimization of State of Charge (SOC) algorithms, ensuring operational precision and safety. Additionally, BYD has designed independent data and control channels, elevating digital security and control responsiveness to the highest level, thus ensuring stable system operation.
In recent years, the industrial and commercial storage market has experienced rapid growth followed by a swift reshuffle, resulting in many short-lived companies exiting the market. This has left numerous operational energy storage devices without after-sales support, jeopardizing project revenues and compromising product quality and safety, thus posing significant threats to asset safety for owners. Industrial and commercial energy storage is a long-term investment, and operational equipment must have reliable long-term after-sales support. Therefore, only energy storage enterprises like BYD, which possess brand influence and adhere to long-term principles, should be the industry’s preferred choice.
This year, the rise of artificial intelligence continues to drive smart upgrades across various industries, including energy storage. BYD combines deep learning algorithms with electrochemical properties to optimize battery management strategies further, enhancing system performance and lifespan. Finally, through big data analysis and machine learning technologies, BYD continuously refines the operational strategies of energy storage systems, helping users improve product profitability and achieve greater economic benefits.
As the global market pursues a transition to green energy, the demand for zero-carbon parks is gradually unfolding. Energy storage, as a crucial support for new energy generation technology, is poised to rise and reach new developmental heights. As a globally recognized energy storage supplier, BYD Energy Storage is committed to providing safe, user-friendly, and cost-effective energy storage products and green solutions. This philosophy aligns perfectly with the current direction of high-quality development in energy storage. With its unwavering commitment to quality and pursuit of value, BYD Energy Storage is set to open a new chapter in the application of energy storage in the market!
