On June 26, Shanghai Electric Power Generation Group (Power Generation Group) and China Energy Digital Technology Group Co., Ltd. (CEEC Digital Technology Group) signed the R&D Cooperation Agreement on the Core Equipment Technical Solution for the 660 MW Compressed Air Energy Storage System in Jinan. According to the Agreement, Power Generation Group will provide technical support for the core equipment of the world’s first 660 MW compressed air energy storage power plant.

Guided by China’s “dual carbon” goals (i.e. carbon peaking and carbon neutrality), Power Generation Group has recently made significant breakthroughs in compressed air energy storage. Thanks to its exceptional performance in technological research, innovation capabilities, and strong equipment manufacturing abilities, the group has mastered integrated equipment solutions for compressed air energy storage systems ranging from 10 MW to 660 MW. These solutions can meet the needs of various compressed air ESS projects, enhancing the overall operational efficiency of ESS by optimizing equipment parameters. The group provides customers with stable, reliable, and serialized turbine generators, drive motors, heat storage systems, and heat exchange systems.

Shanghai Electric Power Generation Group’s subsidiaries, including Turbine Plant, Shanghai Generator Plant, Boiler Works, Electric Machinery, and Shanghai Power Station Auxiliary Equipment Plant, have collaboratively conducted comprehensive technical research and development for the 660 MW compressed air energy storage project. They have successfully developed efficient and safe air turbine generator sets that can handle ultra-high power and flow rates, accommodate rapid and frequent start-stop cycles, and are suitable for peak shaving. Their 10-200 MW TWS series synchronous motors feature more start-stop cycles, high reliability, maintenance-free operation, high efficiency, and long lifespan. Given the project’s large scale and high parameter requirements, Shanghai Electric has pushed the boundaries of heat storage and exchange systems, and planned various optimization measures. Currently, verification and selection work is underway to further reduce the unit cost of the heat storage and exchange system and promote rapid industry development through scale economies.

The world’s largest new energy storage base, with a total capacity of 3,060 MW, is located in the southern part of Huanggang Town, Shanxian County, Heze City, Shandong Province. The base plans to construct three 660 MW units and three 360 MW units, with an expected annual power generation of 4 billion kWh and a power conversion efficiency of about 70%. Jointly invested by CEEC Digital Technology Group and Shandong Guohui Investment Holding Group, the total investment exceeds RMB 20 billion. This project is China’s first large-scale green power consumption hub and has pioneered the cluster development model of “integrated salt and solar power production” and “combined mining and storage”. This model shortens the conventional water-soluble cavern construction time by 50% and achieves a cavern success rate of 99.99%, significantly improving project construction efficiency and setting a historical precedent for compressed air energy storage. The project has also set three new world records: the world’s largest new energy storage base, the world's largest custom-made salt cavern for energy storage, and the world's first compressed air energy storage power plant with a single-unit capacity of 660 MW.