Sineng Electric has revealed that it has supplied its string PCS MV stations for what it claims is the world’s largest sodium-ion BESS, and China’s first 100 MWh-scale energy storage plant using sodium-ion batteries.
The project consists of 42 BESS containers with 185 Ah sodium ion batteries, 21 power conversion systems and a 110 kV booster station. The project is being developed and operated by Datang Hubei Energy and marks China’s efforts to diversify from lithium to more abundant sources. Datang Hubei energy said it had started operating the project on July 2. It was connected to the grid on June 30.
As with such ESS systems, the batteries can bridge the highs and lows of renewable energy production to stabilize the networks. Chinese media reported that the project in Qianjiang, Hubei province, shows that sodium-ion batteries have become a new possibility for the future development of the power grid. Sineng Electric said sodium-ion batteries have superior low-temperature performance, better return efficiency and better overall safety.
The company said its 2.5 MW string PCS MV solution is designed to match the wide DC voltage range of the sodium-ion battery storage system, supporting rated output power from 700 V to 1,500 V. The solution provides cluster-level power management , the company says. strengthens the cluster-level balancing capabilities of sodium-ion batteries. The company says its string PCS units can withstand extreme temperatures and high humidity, and are designed with an IP66 protection rating.
Sineng Electric recently commissioned a 100MW/200MWh energy storage project in Shandong province. It too recently signed a supply agreement with the German semiconductor chip manufacturer Infineon Technologies AG.