Innovative Distributed Energy Storage Solutions for Commercial and Industrial Users: Insights from Qi Dian Energy’s Ma Liangjun at the 2025 Forum

Singularity Energy’s Ma Liangjun: Distributed Energy Storage Solutions for Commercial and Industrial Owners and Investors

On April 22, 2025, the 2025 Distributed Energy Storage Innovation Forum was officially held in Nanjing, Jiangsu, co-hosted by Polaris Solar PV Network and Polaris Energy Storage Network. During the event, Ma Liangjun, General Manager of the Commercial User Side Energy Storage Division at Xi’an Singularity Energy Co., Ltd., conducted an in-depth analysis of investment profitability models, industry development challenges, and long-term value creation in commercial energy storage.

Ma Liangjun pointed out that the profitability points of commercial energy storage are now quite clear, primarily comprising four models:

1. Peak-Valley Arbitrage: Storing energy during low electricity demand periods and releasing it during peak demand times to capitalize on the price difference.
2. Demand Control: Rationally scheduling the charging and discharging of energy storage devices based on the enterprise’s demand situation to reduce demand charges. This model requires assessment based on the actual timing of the enterprise’s demand.
3. Integration of Wind, Solar, and Storage: Combining photovoltaic generation, wind power, and energy storage to achieve comprehensive utilization and optimization of energy.
4. Virtual Power Plant Revenue: Effectively controlling and managing distributed power and loads through a virtual power plant to enhance the flexibility and stability of the power system, thus generating revenue.

Currently, around 17 provinces in China have time periods with lower electricity rates, some year-round and others only during holidays, such as the May Day and National Day periods. During these low-rate periods, energy storage devices can be charged in preparation for subsequent peak-valley arbitrage operations. From a revenue perspective, the energy storage market is quite active. According to the electricity price announcements from the State Grid in April 2025, provinces like Zhejiang, Guangdong, and Jiangsu show a vibrant user market. In regions like the Pearl River Delta, Zhejiang, and Jiangsu, the two-charge two-discharge model yields good returns, while in Shandong, Guangdong, Hunan, and Jiangsu, a one-charge one-discharge model also generates satisfactory revenue.

In terms of specific sectors within commercial energy storage, industries such as aluminum electrolysis, chemicals, metal manufacturing, big data, and textiles have significant electricity consumption, presenting substantial opportunities for energy storage deployment. It is estimated that the capacity of the current commercial energy storage market exceeds 500 GWh, indicating immense market potential.

Despite the promising outlook for commercial energy storage, there are numerous challenges. Ma Liangjun noted that while the appearance of energy storage products on the market has become homogenized, there are significant differences in critical aspects such as battery management systems, energy management systems, and energy conversion efficiency among different products, resulting in a phenomenon of “similar forms but different qualities.” Additionally, technical challenges such as resonance control, capacity optimization, and power trading adaptation persist in the energy storage industry. Some companies have experienced improper demand control due to insufficient technology, leading to equipment damage and increased electricity costs. The adaptability of certain products in complex environments, such as coastal areas with high humidity and temperature, also requires urgent solutions. Consequently, selecting high-quality products is crucial.

In response to the complex environment of the energy storage market, Singularity Energy has successfully delivered over 1,000 projects in the commercial energy storage sector (excluding source-side applications), with its business footprint covering 101 cities across the country. Some projects have operated stably for up to 1,465 days, with over 2.2 million cells achieving zero safety incidents, and the average conversion efficiency of all stations reaching 90%, with the highest efficiency of a single station exceeding 92.5%.

Ma Liangjun emphasized that when companies invest in energy storage projects, it is essential to consider the electricity cost over the entire lifecycle. This includes not only the initial investment in energy storage equipment but also construction, operational, and subsequent electricity replenishment costs. Singularity Energy aims to maximize the depth of charge and discharge, conversion efficiency, and annual cycle count while minimizing costs, all while ensuring safety and compliance. Financial assessments will be conservative, factoring in project capacity, conversion efficiency, charge and discharge cycles, capital costs, operational expenses, and taxes, to ensure actual performance aligns with preliminary estimates.

Currently, Singularity Energy promotes two main product lines. For the 1000V DC side, products include eBlock-200, eBlock-230, and primarily the eBlock-261 featuring 314 cells. For the 1500V DC high-voltage system, the eBlock-418 is the main offering. Additionally, Singularity Energy continually upgrades its products for smaller sizes and better performance.

In terms of digital operation and maintenance, Singularity Energy has developed a platform named eGo, where most projects’ revenue models, payback periods, and operational status can be accessed. This platform allows users to check national electricity prices and relevant policies, quickly assess whether their enterprise is suitable for energy storage installation, and determine installation capacity and revenue parameters upon registration. Singularity Energy’s cloud platform, eMind, clearly displays all data, revenue, and models, enabling real-time monitoring of parameters like voltage, current, and temperature for each cell. Any anomalies trigger prompt intervention from dedicated personnel, eliminating the need for owners and investors to monitor continuously.

Singularity Energy also excels in swift and efficient product delivery. To facilitate quick project implementation, the company has established four after-sales service centers nationwide, located in Jiangsu and Zhejiang in East China, Guangdong in South China, and Xi’an in Northwest China. The timeline from order signing to shipment does not exceed 15 days. Infrastructure construction proceeds simultaneously with product manufacturing, allowing projects to become operational in as little as one month or even shorter, accelerating investment recovery. Currently, the average fault repair time across over 1,000 stations nationwide is under 24 hours, leading the industry.

Notably, Xi’an Singularity Energy is the first company in the industry to offer commercial comprehensive liability insurance for owners and investors throughout the equipment’s lifecycle, provided at no cost, thus reducing investment risks for users. In terms of production capacity, Singularity Energy currently has a delivery capability of 10 GWh, with manufacturing bases primarily located in Xi’an, Baoji, and Yan’an.

Singularity’s product performance has garnered widespread attention in the industry, establishing strong partnerships with numerous collaborators and investors. CCTV’s China Economic Forum once reported on Singularity Energy’s safety control measures for its cells and product safety management.

In terms of market coverage, Singularity Energy has successful commercial projects in Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Dongguan, and other locations, such as the 11MW/22MWh energy storage project by Zhejiang Jinsheng Holdings, the 14.9MW/59.6MWh demonstration project by Zhongkai New Energy (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., and the 60MW/120MWh user-side energy storage project by Jinxin New Energy. All these projects are currently operating stably with good returns.

On the source-side, Singularity Energy also has significant projects operating reliably, such as the largest 400MWh source-side project utilizing standard cabinets from Singularity Energy, showcasing the safety and advancement of distributed standard cabinets. Singularity Energy is recognized as the pioneer of “All In One” modular products, a concept widely acknowledged within the industry.

In the commercial energy storage sector, Singularity Energy has initiated various collaboration models, such as the ecological partnership model actively promoted in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Guangdong. In the energy storage financing sphere, Singularity Energy has partnered with financial leasing institutions to launch the “Energy Storage Treasure” financial product for commercial users in Zhejiang, accelerating the industry’s path to scale.

Looking ahead, Singularity Energy aims to continue as a pioneer and leader, providing clients with safer, more professional, and reliable energy storage solutions to promote high-quality development in the energy storage industry.