The President of the China Energy Research Society, Shi Yubo, made three significant proposals during the 13th International Energy Storage Summit and Exhibition held on April 10, 2025. He emphasized the need to enhance innovation leadership by focusing on cutting-edge technologies such as solid-state batteries and next-generation battery systems. He also advocated for the integration of energy storage with digitalization and artificial intelligence to create a comprehensive innovation ecosystem encompassing technology, products, and standards.
Shi stressed the importance of improving market mechanisms. He called for expedited policy design regarding energy storage capacity pricing, spot markets, and ancillary service markets. Additionally, he suggested exploring pathways for energy storage participation in carbon trading to unlock diverse commercial value.
Furthermore, he highlighted the necessity of deepening reform and opening up for collaboration, enhancing international technological exchanges, and recognizing standards to promote the global dissemination of Chinese energy storage technologies and services, thereby contributing to the establishment of a new global green energy ecosystem.
As of the end of 2024, Shi reported that China’s cumulative installed capacity of new energy storage has exceeded 70 GW, marking a year-on-year growth of over 100%. The acceleration of technological iterations in lithium-ion batteries, flow batteries, and compressed air energy storage has led to a 60% reduction in storage system costs compared to five years ago. The application scenarios have also expanded significantly from the generation and grid sides to the user side.
However, Shi acknowledged that the energy storage industry still faces several challenges. He pointed out the urgent need to enhance the research capabilities of high-end materials and equipment, improve safety standards, and mature the commercial models and cost management mechanisms. He called for a holistic perspective in planning and an open approach to collaborative innovation to facilitate the transition of energy storage from being policy-driven to market-driven.
