Energy Storage Development Trends in 2025

01. Accelerated R&D and Mass Production of Large-Capacity Energy Storage Cells

Whether it is large-capacity cells or large-scale systems, "larger" has become the primary direction for the iteration of energy storage products. In 2024, leading companies such as CATL, EVE Energy, REPT, Envision Energy, and Gotion High-tech have launched 500Ah+ large-capacity energy storage cells. Looking ahead to 2025, this trend will continue to deepen, with R&D and mass production of large-capacity energy storage cells further accelerating. More cells with capacities of 500Ah+, 600Ah+, and even 700Ah+ are expected to emerge, driving improvements in energy storage system integration efficiency, with capacities reaching 6MWh and even exceeding 8MWh.

02. Lithium Battery Companies Intensify Investment in Long-duration Energy Storage

The industry generally defines long-duration energy storage as technologies capable of achieving continuous discharge for 4 hours or more at rated power, or even for several days or months, at low costs on a large scale. Currently, as the share of renewable energy in the power system increases, the demand for long-duration energy storage has significantly risen.

03. Artificial Intelligence Empowering Energy Storage Safety

In 2025, the next generation of artificial intelligence (AI) technology will be more widely applied in the new energy storage sector, becoming a new driving force for industry development. In November 2024, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, in the "High-Quality Development Action Plan for New Energy Storage Manufacturing Industry" (draft for public consultation), proposed promoting the widespread use of information technologies such as blockchain, big data, AI, and 5G in the new energy storage manufacturing industry. The plan also supports research into safety warning technologies for new energy storage based on digital twins and AI.

04. Sodium-Ion Battery Energy Storage "Emerges"

In 2024, sodium-ion battery technology has developed rapidly, achieving significant breakthroughs in energy density, cycle life, and safety, and has entered the stage of commercial application. By 2025, energy storage is expected to become a critical breakthrough for the large-scale application of the sodium-ion battery industry, marking the potential "inaugural year" for its industrialization. However, it is important to note that the continued decline in lithium battery prices has somewhat delayed the industrialization of sodium-ion batteries. Only when lithium battery production capacity is effectively cleared will sodium-ion batteries likely see truly large-scale development.

05. (Semi-)Solid-State Batteries for Energy Storage Enter the "Application Stage"

The application of solid-state batteries in the energy storage sector is progressing rapidly. In 2024, several solid-state and semi-solid-state battery storage projects in China were commissioned, launched, or connected to the grid. Examples include the successful completion of the 466kWh solid-state battery storage project at the Xike 1237 Industrial Park in Xiuzhou District, Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province; the 4.5MW energy storage project at George Fischer Metal Forming Technology (Kunshan) Co., Ltd., which adopted Qingtao Energy’s 280Ah semi-solid-state lithium iron phosphate batteries; and the commissioning of the 100kW/124kWh solid-state battery storage station in North China Oilfield, utilizing polymer electrolyte solid-state battery technology with an energy density of 280Wh/kg.

06. Increased Adoption of Silicon Carbide in Energy Storage

In 2025, as solar-plus-storage systems continue evolving toward higher voltage, higher frequency, and greater efficiency, wide-bandgap semiconductor materials, particularly silicon carbide (SiC), will gain increasing popularity. In energy storage systems, SiC offers significant advantages, including higher efficiency, smaller size, lighter weight, lower costs, and superior high-temperature resistance. These benefits will significantly enhance the overall operating efficiency of switching devices, reduce energy losses, and boost the performance and efficiency of solar-plus-storage systems.

07. Expansion of New Energy Storage Application Scenarios

According to the 14th Five-Year Plan for New Energy Storage Development, by 2025, new energy storage will transition from its initial commercialization phase to large-scale development. In November 2024, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology outlined the "Demonstration Application Scenario Expansion Initiative" in its draft High-Quality Development Action Plan for New Energy Storage Manufacturing. Recently, Anhui Province launched its New Energy Storage Promotion and Application Implementation Plan for 2025, aiming to promote broader and more extensive deployment of new energy storage products.

08. Rapid Development of Solar-Plus-Storage Integration

Compared with traditional energy, renewable energy sources like solar and wind power face issues of intermittency and volatility. To meet grid stability requirements, the integration and innovation of solar-plus-storage systems will accelerate, achieving commercial viability across a broader range of scenarios.

09. Grid-Forming Energy Storage Moving Toward Industrialization

Grid-forming energy storage refers to systems capable of establishing and maintaining output voltage and frequency, operating with voltage source characteristics, and actively supporting the grid during faults. These systems enable stable control of voltage, frequency, and phase angle, supporting the long-term stable operation of new power systems.

10. Energy Storage Industry "Blossoms" in Global Markets

Amid the global transition to green energy, international expansion has become a consensus among energy storage enterprises. In 2024, Chinese energy storage companies made impressive strides in the international market, extending their reach from traditional markets like Europe and the United States to emerging markets in Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. The footprint of Chinese energy storage products continues to grow worldwide, flourishing across multiple regions.