Where is China's first large-scale lithium-sodium hybrid energy storage station located?

Baochi Energy Storage Station, China's first large-scale lithium-sodium hybrid energy storage station, starts operations in Southwest China's Yunnan Province on May 25, 2025. Photo: CCTV News China's first large-scale lithium-sodium hybrid energy storage station began operations on Sunday in Southwest China's Yunnan Province.

What is China's largest lithium-ion battery project?

The project combines 40MWh of sodium-ion batteries with the remainder lithium-ion and is the largest of its kind in China, the firm said, and therefore almost certainly the world.

Is there a shortage of lithium batteries in China?

However, growing demand for lithium batteries has raised concerns over resource shortages, as 70 percent of lithium battery materials in China come from overseas, meaning a high dependence on imports, the CCTV News report said. In contrast, the raw materials for sodium batteries can be sourced from salt mines, seawater, and salt lakes.

Why is energy storage so important in China?

A high share of renewables increases grid volatility, necessitating greater energy storage support. As of now, China's new energy storage technologies are rapidly advancing, with lithium-ion battery storage, the most mature and cost-effective technology, dominating at 97 percent of the market, according to CCTV News.

What is lithium-sodium hybrid technology?

The lithium-sodium hybrid technology enables more stable integration of large-scale renewables into the power grid and supports future participation in electricity market trading," Wu Bin, deputy manager of the Baochi Energy Storage Station project, was quoted by CCTV News as saying.