On July 26, with the successful fifth impulse closing of the main transformer at the 110kV Haneng Vanadium Flow Shichengzi South Energy Storage Power Station, Hami’s first “vanadium flow” standalone energy storage power station was officially completed, connected to the grid, and put into operation. This marks a new stage in Hami’s new energy storage technology, providing more stable and efficient power regulation support for the “Xinjiang electricity transmission to other regions” channel.
The “vanadium flow” energy storage power station put into operation this time has a capacity of 100MW/400MWh. Invested in and constructed by Hami East Tianshan Power Generation Co., Ltd., it can be charged with 400,000 kWh and discharged with approximately 270,000 kWh per day. “Energy storage batteries can improve power quality, alleviate the pressure of power transmission, and their response speed can reach the millisecond level,” said Gao Sujun, Deputy General Manager of Dalian Rongke Energy Storage Equipment Co., Ltd.
Gao Sujun noted that unlike traditional lithium iron phosphate batteries, vanadium flow batteries use an aqueous electrolyte, boasting prominent advantages such as intrinsic safety and long service life. “This type of battery operates at or near normal temperature and pressure, with no significant operational risks; its cycle life ranges from 20 to 25 years.”
Located in eastern Xinjiang, Hami is rich in wind and solar resources, with a new energy installed capacity of 23.55 million kW, serving as an important hub for “Xinjiang electricity transmission to other regions.” However, new energy sources such as wind and photovoltaic power have intermittency and volatility, and large-scale grid connection may affect grid stability. Energy storage power stations, like “energy sponges,” can store green electricity when there is surplus power and release stable current during peak electricity consumption or grid fluctuations, effectively smoothing out the volatility of new energy generation.
He Tao, Director of the Operation Management Department of Hami Energy Group Co., Ltd., introduced that the “vanadium flow” standalone energy storage power station project adopts an outdoor prefabricated warehouse layout, featuring high integration, a short construction period, and intelligent regulation capabilities, enabling efficient synergy with the power grid. “As a technical route for medium-to-long-term energy storage, the project operates in a standalone mode. The supporting 110kV booster station can boost the 35kV voltage to 110kV and connect to the main grid through a collection station, offering significant advantages in enhancing the absorption capacity of new energy generation and improving grid flexibility.”
It is understood that currently, 18 energy storage power stations have been built in the Hami power grid, with a total capacity of 1.0356 million kW/3.825 million kWh, including 945,600 kW/3.645 million kWh of collocated energy storage and 90,000 kW/180,000 kWh of standalone energy storage. With the addition of this 100MW/400MWh vanadium flow energy storage power station, Hami’s total energy storage installed capacity will exceed the one million kilowatt mark, reaching 1.13 million kW. This will further optimize the grid operation structure, provide a solid guarantee for the stable operation of the “Xinjiang electricity transmission to other regions” channel, facilitate the coordinated development of eastern and western regions, and promote the efficient utilization of green energy.
