Which sector does new energy storage belong to

Mainland China accounts for most of the global energy storage demand, driven in the near term by regional requirements for new utility-scale wind and solar projects to include energy storage capacity. However, the Chinese market is entering an era of change.

Globally, energy storage project development is increasingly driven by the utility-scale segment, with mandates and targeted auctions driving gigawatt-hour projects in markets like China, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Australia and Chile.

The rapid growth of renewable energy generation has created a large market demand for energy storage facilities. By the end of the first quarter of 2024, the cumulative installed capacity of new energy-storage projects in China had reached 35.3 million kW.

Energy storage systems allow energy consumption to be separated in time from the production of energy, whether it be electrical or thermal energy. The storing of electricity typically occurs in chemical (e.g., lead acid batteries or lithium-ion batteries, to name just two of the best known) or mechanical means (e.g., pumped hydro storage).

Thermal energy storage (TES) can help to integrate high shares of renewable energy in power generation, industry, and buildings sectors. TES technologies include molten-salt storage and solid-state and liquid air variants.

This year's government work report noted the development of new energy storage as one of the measures to promote green and low-carbon development. New energy storage refers to energy-storage technologies other than conventional pump storage. It offers advantages such as a short construction period, flexible layout and fast response.