Batteries are reshaping power systems in the US and China, offering a clean alternative to fossil fuel-powered peaker plants. California's battery fleet set a new record by discharging 11.2 GW during peak demand, while China plans to significantly increase battery storage capacity and reduce natural gas use by 70% by 2035. The US has seen rapid growth in battery storage, with federal policies and incentives supporting the transition away from peakers. Experts suggest that prioritizing battery storage over fossil peaker plants can accelerate clean energy goals, establish market mechanisms, and solidify global leadership in the industry. By shifting to battery storage, both countries can achieve a clean and flexible grid while reducing pollution and dependence on fossil fuels.
Tag: China
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China’s switches on world’s first GWh-scale supercapacitor-energy storage project
China has achieved a significant milestone by connecting the world's first GWh-scale supercapacitor-energy storage project to the grid in northwest China. The Jiayuguan NingSheng project, invested by China National Nuclear Corporation, utilizes a hybrid configuration of lithium batteries and supercapacitors to support grid stability, integrate renewables, and enable long-duration energy shifting and peak shaving. Located in a key renewable energy hub in Gansu province, this project showcases the potential for supercapacitors to provide millisecond-level response for frequency regulation and rapid grid stabilization, highlighting innovative solutions for the transition to a more sustainable energy system.
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How Long Until China Is At 90% Plugin Vehicle Sales?
China has experienced a substantial increase in plugin vehicle sales, with over half of new vehicle sales now being plugin vehicles. Despite uncertainty surrounding the future growth of electric vehicle sales in China, comparisons to Norway's rapid rise in EV share suggest that China could potentially reach 90% plugin vehicle sales by 2030. The Chinese EV market is highly developed, competitive, and rapidly expanding, indicating that it is likely to continue to grow in the coming years.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/01/04/how-long-until-china-is-at-90-plugin-vehicle-sales/
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China powers up world’s largest liquid air storage project
China has activated the world's largest liquid-air energy storage facility, the Super Air Power Bank, with a capacity of 60 MW/600 MWh, co-located with a 250 MW photovoltaic plant in the Gobi Desert near Golmud city. The facility compresses and cools air to -194°C, liquefies it, and stores it in specialized tanks for energy storage. When electricity is needed, the liquid air expands, driving turbines to generate power, transforming air into an energy storage carrier under extreme cold conditions. This innovative project showcases a sustainable solution for high levels of green energy self-sufficiency.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/12/30/china-powers-up-worlds-largest-liquid-air-storage-project/
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Charting The Changes That Will Lead To Renewable Energy Dominance In 2026
Bill McKibben, a climate realist, acknowledges the dire state of the planet due to global warming but sees hope in the increasing use of alternative energy sources like solar and wind power. He notes the significant progress made in countries like China and Australia in transitioning to renewable energy. McKibben emphasizes the importance of shifting away from fossil fuels towards clean energy solutions to combat the climate crisis. The article also touches on the challenges posed by the current capitalist system that benefits from the extraction and distribution of fossil fuels. The shift towards renewable energy is noted, with examples like China exporting more green technologies than fossil fuels, and the potential for a more sustainable and equitable energy future is emphasized.
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PV redox flow battery with 4.2% solar-to-electricity conversion efficiency
Scientists in China have developed a novel anthraquinone-based solar redox flow battery (SRFB) device that combines a solar cell with a redox flow battery, achieving an average solar-to-electricity conversion efficiency of 4.2% under simulated one sun conditions. The SRFB device utilizes redox couples 2,6-DBEAQ and K4[Fe(CN)6] paired with a triple-junction amorphous-silicon photoelectrode, allowing for photo-charging without an external bias and discharge over 10 cycles with a solar-to-output electricity efficiency of 4.3%. This breakthrough paves the way for advanced solar-to-chemical energy conversion technologies, offering new possibilities for sustainable energy solutions.
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CATL Battery Factory in Spain, Lithium Mine in Yichun
CATL, the largest EV battery producer in the world, is partnering with Stellantis to build a new carbon-neutral EV battery factory in Spain with a capacity of up to 50 GWh, creating thousands of jobs and strengthening the European battery value chain. In addition, CATL is expected to restart its lithium mine in China, impacting lithium carbonate prices. The rebound of lithium prices is discussed in the article, potentially leading to lower battery costs in 2026, which is a positive sign for the future of battery prices and the overall transition to sustainable energy solutions.
https://cleantechnica.com/2025/12/24/catl-battery-factory-in-spain-lithium-mine-in-yichun/
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US Misses The Offshore Wind Boat And Aquaculture, Too
The US offshore wind industry faced setbacks under President Trump, but projects in Rhode Island, New York, and Virginia are still moving forward. Chile is emerging as a leader in offshore wind energy, with collaborations with Norway and Denmark. The aquaculture industry in Chile is benefiting from clean power solutions, including offshore wind turbines and floating solar technology. These sustainable energy sources are reducing diesel consumption, lowering costs, and improving working conditions for workers in the aquaculture industry. Offshore wind and solar companies are exploring opportunities in aquaculture, with projects in Chile and China combining renewable energy with fish farming. China's Fuxi 1 offshore facility, powered by wind turbines, can farm multiple species of fish, crustaceans, and algae simultaneously. In Norway, a project is assessing the co-location of aquaculture and offshore wind turbines, with benefits including reduced risk of sea lice and oxygen deficiency for fish health. Research shows that offshore wind farms can enhance ecosystem productivity and create a more complex food web, supporting marine ecosystems. The collaboration between offshore wind stakeholders and the global aquaculture industry is highlighted, with mentions of missed opportunities in the US and new developments in Sweden.
https://cleantechnica.com/2025/12/22/us-misses-the-offshore-wind-boat-and-aquaculture-too-shocker/
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Batteries now cheap enough to make dispatchable solar economically feasible
Utility-scale battery costs have fallen to $65/MWh outside China and the United States, making solar power more reliable. Ember reports a significant drop in battery costs in 2024 and further declines in 2025, making storage more accessible for dispatchable solar projects. The cost of a full utility-scale battery system is $125/kWh for long-duration projects of four hours or more. The levelized cost of storage (LCOS) is calculated at $65/MWh, factoring in various costs and improvements in efficiency and financing. Solar power is now considered anytime dispatchable electricity, changing the game for countries with high solar resources and growing energy demand.