The 13th International Energy Storage Summit and Exhibition (ESIE 2025) took place in Beijing from April 10 to 12, where Colin Electric showcased a range of energy storage products. Just days prior, the company signed a contract with the Maldives Ministry of Tourism and Environment for a 38MWh energy storage system EPC project, valued at nearly 1.3 billion yuan. Established in 2000 and based in Shijiazhuang, Colin Electric has gradually developed three main business segments: smart grids, new energy, and integrated energy services. With a rich background in the electrical industry, why is Colin Electric venturing into the energy storage sector? In a fiercely competitive market characterized by “price wars,” how can Colin Electric carve out its niche? To address these questions, Hua Xia Energy Network (WeChat ID: hxny3060) spoke with Zhang Dong, General Manager of Colin Electric’s New Energy Business Unit (BU).
According to Zhang, the company's current development goals are to strengthen power distribution and expand new energy initiatives. Initially focused on grid operations, Colin Electric began with comprehensive automation equipment serving the power industry, public utilities, and large industrial clients, providing complete solutions for both primary and secondary power systems, along with high-quality products and services. The New Energy BU was newly established last year through the merger of the former New Energy Division and the Comprehensive Automation Division. Energy storage is a key focus area within this unit, primarily targeting user-side storage while also addressing source-grid storage, along with products such as charging stations and photovoltaics. Zhang noted that Colin Electric's move into energy storage aligns with the global energy transition and the trend of electricity market reforms in China.
On one hand, the acceleration of the global energy transition is paving the way for significant growth in the energy storage industry. Under China's dual carbon goals, the installed capacity of renewable energy continues to rise. However, the intermittent and fluctuating nature of renewable energy poses challenges to grid stability. Energy storage serves as a "regulator" for power systems, enhancing grid resilience and compensating for the shortcomings of renewable generation. On the other hand, the ongoing market reforms in the energy sector are creating diverse business models for energy storage, broadening its profit potential. Policy innovations such as time-of-use pricing, ancillary service markets, and capacity leasing are revealing the economic value of energy storage in scenarios like peak shaving, demand response, and backup power. This is particularly evident in the commercial and industrial sectors, where the increasing penetration of distributed energy is highlighting the value of energy storage in reducing electricity costs and ensuring reliable power supply. This is also why Colin Electric is focusing on commercial energy storage.
With over 20 years of experience in the power industry, Colin Electric has built a solid technical foundation in areas such as smart substations and distribution network automation, providing a natural advantage for its energy storage initiatives. Zhang mentioned that Colin Electric's new energy products include integrated AC/DC power supply screens, photovoltaic inverters, and charging stations, which are closely related to the core technologies of energy storage systems. "Our deep understanding of these devices makes our entry into the energy storage industry a logical step," Zhang added.
Colin Electric boasts a self-manufacturing rate of <b>90%</b> for its energy storage systems, covering core components such as BMS, PCS, EMS, and temperature control systems. This commitment to self-developing core components ensures exceptional performance in system integration. As a result, Colin Electric's energy storage systems can maximize charging and discharging efficiency while ensuring the safe load of transformers. Notably, in addition to user-side and source-grid storage systems, Colin Electric is also expanding into charging stations and integrated solar storage charging businesses. Zhang stated that the company is focusing its research efforts on breakthrough technologies in integrated source-grid-load storage, low-carbon parks, zero-carbon parks, and virtual power plants. Colin Electric aims to build a magnificent structure in the new energy sector, starting with its solar storage energy system. "I am confident in our technical strength and the resources we can leverage, so we have high hopes for expanding our new energy initiatives," Zhang expressed.
In a fiercely competitive energy storage market filled with industry giants, especially in the commercial storage sector where "price wars" are intensifying, how can Colin Electric stand out? The answer lies in creating stable, safe, and high-value products that genuinely deliver value to users. At the ESIE 2025 exhibition, Colin Electric introduced several new products, prominently featuring the <b>Grid-Forming 261kWh Liquid-Cooled Energy Storage Cabinet</b>. This cabinet is designed for comprehensive scenario coverage. Beyond generating profits through peak shaving and price differentials in typical commercial settings, it can integrate with photovoltaic systems and charging stations to utilize green electricity for self-consumption, preventing excess power from being fed back to the grid. It also supports off-grid operation, ensuring reliable power supply for high-energy-consuming commercial users under profitable conditions. "While our 261kWh liquid-cooled energy storage cabinet faces competition from similar products at this exhibition, it highlights both significant market demand and intense competitive pressure. Nonetheless, our product holds distinct advantages," Zhang remarked.
In addition to the stability offered by self-developed products, the Grid-Forming 261kWh cabinet features a self-developed <b>135kW hybrid energy storage inverter</b> that enhances operational efficiency and control response speed, making it an ideal match for the 261kWh cabinet. Furthermore, the in-house developed high-performance liquid cooling system and multi-layer battery protection strategy improve safety while maximizing user profitability. The modular structure of the Grid-Forming 261kWh liquid-cooled energy storage cabinet allows for flexible expansion based on varying user requirements.
In response to the escalating "price wars," Colin Electric remains composed. Zhang pointed out that the shift in customer mindset means they are less sensitive to price and more focused on product value and profitability. Regarding specific strategies, Zhang cited charging stations as an example, explaining, "We price our charging stations between major leading brands and smaller manufacturers, yet our quality competes with top-tier products. Additionally, our service system is well-developed, contributing to solid sales." Looking ahead, Zhang is optimistic about the future of energy storage, particularly in the areas of integrated solar storage and microgrid applications. The recent contract signed with the Maldives Ministry for a <b>38MWh</b> energy storage system EPC project falls within the microgrid category. Currently, Southeast Asia has emerged as a popular region for domestic energy storage companies to expand. Due to fragile power grids and numerous islands, it is challenging to achieve comprehensive power coverage like in China, leading to a high demand for off-grid projects, which is where microgrids excel. Zhang concluded, "In the future, our business will advance simultaneously in both domestic and international markets, collectively driving the development of our energy storage operations."
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/colin-electrics-strategic-entry-into-energy-storage-navigating-market-opportunities-and-challenges/
