Industrialization of energy storage is still a long way to go

As the main way for future smart grid development and improvement of energy efficiency, large-scale new energy access and energy storage technologies have received extensive attention. How long does it take for the development of large-scale energy storage? What bottlenecks constrain the large-scale development of energy storage?

Recently, the reporter interviewed Zhang Huamin, deputy general manager and chief engineer of Dalian Rongke Energy Storage Technology Development Co., Ltd. (referred to as “Dalian Rongke Energy Storage”).

Reporter: As the energy storage plays an important role in the regulation of new energy and grid-connected power generation, the industry is very optimistic about the prospects of new energy grid-connected energy storage market. What is the significance of the construction of large-scale energy storage power plants for the development of new energy?

Zhang Huamin: Wind power, solar energy and other renewable energy generation have the inherent characteristics of discontinuous, unstable and uncontrollable, and are contradictory to the basic requirements of high stability, high security and controllability of the power grid. Renewable energy is difficult to connect to the grid. The popularization and application of renewable energy must be supported by large-scale energy storage technologies and realize the functions of tracking power generation, smooth output, peak load filling, pressure regulation and frequency modulation, so as to ensure safe and stable power supply, and at the same time solve the problem of wind power generation. Bottleneck problem. The construction of large-scale energy storage power stations will greatly boost the development of new energy.

At present, energy storage has entered the initial stages of application demonstration and commercialization from R&D, and the technology has yet to be improved. The business model is still being explored. Large-scale energy storage power stations have large investment in the initial stage of construction, and their operational experience is insufficient, and there are no perfect standards. Because of this, most potential customers are in a wait-and-see state. After years of continuous investment, energy storage companies are generally in a state of loss, and financial pressure is very high. On the one hand, it is an immature market. On the other hand, the current situation still needs to increase investment. This is a serious problem that energy storage companies currently face.

Reporter: As an important part of the smart grid in the future, how can energy storage companies seize the opportunities brought about by smart grid construction?

Zhang Huamin: The smart grid is based on the traditional grid. First, it adds renewable energy to the grid. Second, it adds intelligence, information, and automation to the grid. Third, it adds energy storage devices. Wind power and solar power generation are intermittent and unstable. After the increase in the amount of grid-connected power, there is a serious impact on the power grid. Large-scale energy storage technology can stabilize the output of renewable energy power generation, improve the compatibility of the power grid for renewable energy generation, and improve the safety and stability of the power grid.

Energy storage is an important part of the smart grid, and the smart grid is an important application market for energy storage. Energy storage companies cannot afford to miss such important market opportunities. Taking into account the flexible operation of the smart grid, in addition to adequate preparation of the energy storage technology itself, it is necessary to strengthen the control and management technologies for energy storage devices that are suitable for the flexible operation and management of the smart grid, and the development of integrated energy management control technologies. At the same time, it actively participates in the demonstration projects of smart grids, improves technology, and accumulates experience.

Reporter: Under the premise that the battery efficiency and cost are difficult to break through in the short-term and high-risk situations, what is the significance of reducing the cost of key battery materials and reducing the cost of energy storage products?

Zhang Huamin: China's lithium-ion mobile phone battery production in the world, but the support of automotive and energy storage battery development of the material research and industrial base is fragile, such as the domestic diaphragm is mainly used for low-end mobile phone batteries, for the three-tier structure of automotive power battery Diaphragms and ceramic/plastic composite membranes are not yet produced and are imported. The majority of domestic companies producing lithium-ion electrolytes are mainly engaged in solvent purification and electrolyte preparation. The key materials such as electrolyte salts and additives are mostly imported. The supply of electrolyte lithium salt has begun to restrict the development of China's lithium-ion battery industry. Strengthening the research and development of key materials and core components to improve battery uniformity and safety and reliability is extremely important for upgrading the quality of lithium-ion battery technology in China.