The Rise of a New Era in Energy Storage: Insights from the 14th International Energy Storage Summit

Reporter Observation | A New Era of Energy Storage “Feast” Begins

On April 2, 2026, the 14th International Energy Storage Summit and Exhibition commenced in Beijing, attracting a full house and a significant number of international attendees. The opening forum on the first day featured multiple speakers who shared insights, and very few participants left early, highlighting the enthusiasm and appeal of China’s energy storage industry. It is clear that many are eager to grasp the latest developments in the energy storage sector both in China and globally over the next five years.

By 2025, China’s new energy storage installations are projected to surpass 100 million kilowatts, accounting for over 40% of the global market. For three consecutive years, new energy storage has been included in government work reports. This year marks the first time new energy storage has been recognized as one of the six emerging pillar industries by the state. The 14th Five-Year Plan outlines a clear directive to “accelerate innovation in key technologies such as new energy storage” and to “vigorously develop new energy storage.” The energy storage industry is undoubtedly experiencing a significant moment.

As I moved between exhibition booths and forums, I noticed a shift in discussions from “how many GWh can we achieve this year?” to “can this IRR turn positive?” This indicates a transition in focus within the energy storage sector from mere “capacity competition” to “quality and efficiency.”

One of the key themes of this summit is “value reconstruction.” Why is this necessary? Because the profitability logic of energy storage has proven to be fragile. According to the 2026 Energy Storage Industry Research White Paper, the bidding prices for energy storage systems and Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contracts are significantly declining. The price range for lithium iron phosphate systems is between 389 to 913 yuan/kWh, and the average EPC price for a 2-hour energy storage system (0.5C) has dropped to 1049 yuan/kWh, a year-on-year decrease of 12.67%. During large-scale procurement in 2025, energy storage systems frequently reported prices close to cost levels. The competition based on “price for volume” is no longer sustainable, making a shift to a “value competition” essential.

This summit has seen clear policy signals, shifting from “expanding the market” to “establishing regulations.” Liu Deshun, Chief Engineer of the National Energy Administration, emphasized the importance of transitioning new energy storage from scale development to high-quality development. Wu Guogang, a second-level inspector from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, revealed plans to develop a new Five-Year Plan for the battery industry, enhance dynamic regulation of production capacity and prices, strengthen the implementation of mandatory national standards, and establish a long-term industry self-regulation mechanism.

Moreover, the deep integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and “electricity calculation collaboration” is injecting new impetus into the energy storage industry, becoming a noteworthy new variable at this summit.

At the exhibition, CATL showcased its latest sodium-ion battery, which boasts a cycle life exceeding 15,000 cycles. Testing indicates that this product can serve large energy storage applications ranging from 2 to 8 hours as well as artificial intelligence data center (AIDC) scenarios, with commercialization expected by the end of 2026. Additionally, Shuangdeng Co. introduced the Power Warden 4.0 energy storage system and the AIDC-DP60, both designed to provide robust support for green electricity consumption and stable power supply across all AIDC scenarios.

Looking ahead to 2030, we predict that China’s cumulative installed capacity for new energy storage will exceed 370 million kilowatts, representing more than a 1.5-fold increase compared to the end of the 14th Five-Year Plan. This growth signifies a profound transformation in the role of energy storage within the power system,” said Yu Zhenhua, Vice Chair and Secretary-General of the Energy Storage Professional Committee of the China Energy Research Society.

Energy storage is set to transcend its role as a mere technological tool and become a core force in shaping the future energy system alongside artificial intelligence and the renewable energy revolution. The future competition will be one of profound value and will redefine the landscape of energy in this new era. Energy storage will play a crucial role in transforming human production and lifestyle.

A new industry advancement guided by value has already begun.