Eaton’s xEnergyCubo Liquid-Cooled Energy Storage System Achieves First Certification Under New National Standards in China

The Eaton xEnergyCubo commercial liquid-cooled energy storage system has successfully passed the new national standard testing for energy storage systems, conducted by the Shanghai Electrical Equipment Testing Institute (STIEE). This marks the issuance of the first type test report since the implementation of the GB/T 44026-2024 technical specifications for prefabricated lithium-ion battery energy storage systems.

The GB/T 44026-2024 standard establishes the first national technical guidelines in the field of energy storage systems. It imposes stringent requirements on the safety and reliability of prefabricated storage systems. Notably, it upgrades the thermal runaway protection of battery cells to a mandatory national standard, imposes strict limitations on enclosure protection levels, fire resistance, and combustion performance of insulation materials, and emphasizes the importance of type testing for integrated equipment. These measures aim to create a new safety benchmark across the industry, enhancing the quality and efficiency of engineering construction within the new energy sector.

The Eaton liquid-cooled energy storage system integrates critical components such as a power conversion system (PCS), lithium batteries, fire safety systems, thermal management solutions, local controllers, and a cloud management platform. It is designed for various functions including peak shaving, backup power supply, and demand management to help users optimize energy scheduling and distribution.

Recently, the Eaton liquid-cooled energy storage system successfully passed over 20 rigorous type tests, including thermal runaway diffusion, power control, system efficiency, mechanical and electrical performance, and protection levels. This achievement secures the first report under the new national standard GB/T 44026-2024 from STIEE, serving as a strong testament to the product’s safety and reliability, and further validating Eaton’s technical prowess in the energy storage domain.

The system features multi-dimensional safety protections to prevent thermal runaway. Thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries can lead to system-level fires. The Eaton liquid-cooled system employs liquid cooling technology for better thermal uniformity across battery cells. It is equipped with a fire warning and extinguishing system, complemented by a layered battery management system that includes “cell-module-cabinet” configurations, creating a multi-tiered defense against thermal runaway. During the thermal runaway diffusion test, a selected battery cluster was subjected to extreme conditions of 300°C for 24 hours, without any incidents of fire, explosion, or triggering of thermal runaway in other battery modules, thus confirming its safety performance.

The robust structural design ensures consistent mechanical performance across various applications, from industrial parks and commercial buildings to charging stations. The enclosure features an integrated design with a reinforced steel structure, providing excellent wind and seismic resistance. During full load, stationary, or hoisting operations, the structural integrity of the base frame and internal battery supports remains intact, with no deformation observed, and the anti-corrosion coating remains effective, thus ensuring structural stability.

In response to changing outdoor environments, the Eaton liquid-cooled energy storage system utilizes high-protection materials that are waterproof, fireproof, and corrosion-resistant, meeting Class A combustion performance standards and achieving an IP54 protection rating. The product is also designed with enhanced insulation and weather resistance, ensuring resilience against harsh weather conditions.

Furthermore, the Eaton liquid-cooled energy storage system supports integration with power grids, diesel generators, photovoltaic systems, and charging infrastructures, enabling users to flexibly allocate and optimize management across various energy sources and loads, forming an integrated solution for source-grid-load-storage systems.

Utilizing Eaton’s Brightlayer™ digital platform, the system provides early warning for faulty battery cells and monitors the operational lifespan of key components. This proactive safety protection and cloud-based operation and maintenance enhance risk management efficiency.

The transition to renewable energy is a profound transformation, and Eaton, as a global leader in intelligent power management, is committed to empowering the development of new power systems. The Eaton xEnergyCubo commercial liquid-cooled energy storage system fully complies with the new national standards, laying a solid safety foundation for the integration of renewable energy, and promoting high-quality growth in the energy storage industry while illuminating new pathways for a zero-carbon future.

About Eaton: Eaton is a smart power management company dedicated to protecting the environment and improving the quality of life for people around the world. Our products serve various markets, including data centers, utilities, industrial, commercial, machinery manufacturing, residential, aerospace, and vehicles. We are committed to ethical operations, sustainable practices, and helping our customers manage power more effectively. With the global trends of electrification and digitalization, we aim to address the most pressing power management challenges, creating a more sustainable society for today and the future. Since our founding in 1911, Eaton has evolved to meet the changing and growing needs of our stakeholders. In 2024, Eaton’s global sales are projected to approach $25 billion, with operations in over 160 countries. Eaton entered the Chinese market in 1993 and has since rapidly expanded its operations in the country. In 2004, the company moved its Asia-Pacific headquarters from Hong Kong to Shanghai, and now employs approximately 8,000 people and operates 19 manufacturing facilities in China.