Volkswagen, Europe’s largest automaker, is expanding the ambitions of its battery business from EVs into utility ESS and energy trading, as global EV demand has fallen short of previous expectations. On Monday, Volkswagen launched its first utility ESS facility in Salzgitter, Germany. The project belongs to Volkswagen’s energy subsidiary Elli and can supply power to up to 20,000 households for about two hours. The facility is directly connected to the power grid and will also be used for energy trading on the European power exchange EPEX SPOT. The batteries used come from Volkswagen’s in-house PowerCo division. As battery suppliers cut prices and EV growth slows down, Volkswagen is seeking new sources of battery revenue.

LG Energy Solution is expected to commercialize a higher-performance LFP battery next year, targeting the fast-growing energy storage market. The company's Chief Technology Officer, Kim Dong-myung, said the new-type battery has higher battery energy density and a longer lifespan, and will enter mass production in 2027. This is the first time LG Energy Solution has disclosed plans to introduce a significantly improved LFP battery. The move aims to reposition LFP technology from a low-cost path into a high-value energy storage solution. Kim Dong-myung said LFP was previously used mainly in low and mid-end EVs, but with surging data volumes, the market now needs higher-performance ESS batteries. LG Energy Solution's move reflects a broader shift in the global battery market.

On March 12, the Shanxi Provincial Energy Bureau announced the "List of Wind and Photovoltaic Power Generation Projects to be Abolished in the First Batch of 2026", which proposes to abolish 22 projects with a total capacity of 147.284 million kilowatts, including the Fengrun Huairun 50 MW photovoltaic energy storage integrated demonstration project.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] PT PLN (Persero) plans to develop 1.4 GW of hybrid power plants combining mine-mouth coal-fired steam power plants (PLTU) with solar PV (PLTS) and battery energy storage systems (BESS). One unit will be a 200 MW hybrid PLTU in Kalimantan, with Commercial Operation Date (COD) targeted for 2032. Despite Presidential Regulation No. 112/2022 banning new PLTU development (Perpres 112/2022), PLN asserts compliance via Article 3 Paragraph 4, which provides exemptions for certain cases, including strategic needs like mine-mouth plants for energy security or industrial support (often interpreted for captive or hybrid setups in remote areas).

On March 5, the People’s Government of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region officially issued the “Outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region,” clearly listing hydrogen energy storage, rare earth new materials, and green hydrogen-ammonia-methanol as strategic priorities, accelerating the development of the entire industry chain for green hydrogen, and building a nationally important high ground for the energy storage industry, thereby charting a clear path for energy transition and industrial upgrading. I. Hydrogen Energy Storage: Building the Entire Industry Chain and Sprinting Toward an Energy Storage Scale of 60 million kW The Outline proposed to expand and strengthen the hydrogen energy storage industry , with the core goals and measures as follows: Full-chain deployment of green hydrogen : Accelerate the development of the entire industry chain for green hydrogen—“ production, storage, transportation, and use ”—and build green hydrogen, green ammonia, and green methanol industry clusters; advance cross-provincial and cross-regional long-distance hydrogen-ammonia-methanol pipeline projects, and moderately make forward-looking arrangements for green hydrogen storage and transportation infrastructure. Leap in energy storage scale : Advance pumped-storage hydropower in stages, implement a special action for the large-scale development of new-type energy storage, and build a diversified energy storage system; by the end of the “15th Five-Year Plan” period, new-type ESS installations are expected to reach 60 million kW , and demand-side response capability is expected to exceed 5 of the region’s maximum load. Coordinated pipeline network upgrade : Optimize the oil and gas pipeline network; by the end of the “15th Five-Year Plan” period, natural gas pipeline mileage is expected to exceed 8,000 km , while the green hydrogen storage and transportation network will be improved in parallel. II. Rare Earth Industry: Extending, Supplementing, and Strengthening the Industry Chain, with a Focus on High-End Materials Such as Hydrogen Storage The Outline made clear to accelerate extending, supplementing, and strengthening the industry chain for the light rare earth industry , with a focus on developing: high-performance magnetic materials, high-performance polishing materials, hydrogen storage materials , catalytic materials and additives, rare earth steel, and other high-end rare earth new materials and end-use applications industries. Leveraging its advantages in rare earth resources, it will provide critical material support for industries such as hydrogen energy and new energy, and build a nationally leading base for rare earth new materials. III. Scientific and Technological Innovation: Focusing on Advantageous Fields Such as Green Hydrogen-Ammonia-Methanol The Outline proposed to implement a number of major science and technology tasks , focusing on fields including: new energy, rare earth new materials, carbon-based new materials, semiconductor new materials, green hydrogen-ammonia-methanol , biopharmaceuticals, biological breeding, and grassland and dairy industries, among others. It will deliver more landmark original achievements, providing technological support for the green hydrogen, green ammonia, and green methanol industries. IV. Significance of the Plan: Anchoring National Strategy and Leading the Energy Transition This plan closely integrates hydrogen energy, energy storage, rare earths, and green hydrogen-ammonia-methanol. It is not only a key measure to implement the country’s “dual carbon” goals, but also a core lever for Inner Mongolia to leverage its two major strengths in wind and solar power resources and rare earth resources and build a nationally important base for energy and strategic resources. As a number of wind and solar power-based hydrogen production projects, such as the Huadian Darhan Muminggan Banner project, advance, Inner Mongolia is accelerating its transformation from a major energy region into a leading green hydrogen region and an energy storage hub .

The era of 'cheap imported batteries' is ending for the US energy storage sector as heavy tariffs and the OBBBA's strict sourcing requirements force a rapid shift toward domestic manufacturing. While storage fared better than solar under the new policy landscape, developers are grappling with rising upfront costs, long interconnection wait times, and revenue unpredictability. This high-risk environment led to the cancellation of 20 GWh in planned manufacturing capacity and 79 GW of battery storage projects in 2025. Industry leaders warn that a conservative shift in capital—favoring established multinationals over startups—threatens early-stage domestic innovation and risks ceding the US competitive edge to China.

This week, prices for some Grade-B battery cells in the second-life battery market rose. Cost side, lithium carbonate prices fluctuated more sharply this week and showed an overall upward trend, directly pushing up battery cell production costs; nickel sulphate prices edged up, while cobalt sulphate prices remained stable, providing mild support on the cost side and lifting overall cost pressure somewhat. Supply side, the market was clearly boosted by energy storage demand, enterprises showed relatively strong willingness to sell, and circulating supply was steadily released; coupled with rising lithium carbonate prices, enterprises' expectations for higher costs strengthened, and overall pricing sentiment remained firm to slightly stronger. Demand side, demand for second-life Grade-B battery cells recovered significantly, mainly driven by the energy storage market, as downstream energy storage projects commenced and supporting demand continued to be released, noticeably boosting procurement enthusiasm.

Recently, CIMC Enric and PT SAMATOR Group , Indonesia’s largest industrial gas and energy services provider, officially signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement in Jakarta. Leveraging their respective strengths, the two parties reached a long-term partnership to jointly promote the optimization of the energy structure in Indonesia and Southeast Asia, as well as green and sustainable development. PT SAMATOR Group is a leading industrial gas enterprise in Indonesia, with business spanning multiple sectors including healthcare, oil and gas, and metallurgy, and with a well-established local market network and operating resources. According to the agreement, the two parties will focus on in-depth cooperation in five major areas: the entire industry chain of industrial gases, natural gas storage and transportation equipment, EPC for energy projects, digital after-sales services, and new business development. CIMC Enric will leverage its strengths in the design, manufacturing, and system integration of energy equipment, together with the other party’s local resources, to jointly advance the implementation of clean energy projects such as industrial gases, hydrogen storage and transportation, and new energy, thereby supporting Indonesia’s energy transition and industrial upgrading. Ju Xiaofeng, Vice President of CIMC Enric, and Rachmat Harsono, Chief Executive Officer of PT SAMATOR Group, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective parties. Ju Xiaofeng said that this cooperation was the result of resource synergy and demonstrated the company’s determination to deepen its presence in the Indonesian market; Rachmat Harsono said that the cooperation would help further strengthen the Group’s local business and expand the space for both parties in markets outside China.

On March 9, the New Product Launch Conference for the Sixth Academy of the Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation’s hydrogen energy industry was held in Beijing, where four core achievements were unveiled on site: the side-mounted 2×40 kg-class onboard liquid hydrogen system (Saidao-1000S), a mobile liquid hydrogen refueling skid and hydrogen dispenser, a 40-foot liquid hydrogen tank container, and a 200-cubic-meter innovative alkaline electrolyzer . The Blue Book on the hydrogen energy industry was also officially released. The conference brought together academicians, ministry officials, representatives from government, enterprises, universities, and the industry chain, marking the Sixth Academy’s liquid hydrogen equipment portfolio as having fully entered a new stage of commercial application. High-Level Participation to Jointly Discuss a New Blueprint for the Hydrogen Energy Industry The conference featured a high-profile lineup, with three academicians—Long Lehao, Yang Fengtian, and Wang Jue—in attendance, along with relevant officials from the State Administration for Market Regulation and the National Energy Administration; leaders from the Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation and affiliated enterprises also attended, including Li Zhongbao, Chief Engineer of the Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, Xie Yun, Chairman of Aerospace Investment, and Wang Wanjun, President of the Sixth Academy. Supervisory government authorities from multiple regions, experts from renowned universities, executives from central state-owned enterprises such as Sinopec, China Huadian, and FAW, as well as capital-side representatives from numerous hydrogen energy enterprises gathered together to witness the commercialization of aerospace hydrogen energy achievements. Praise From Academicians and Remarks by Senior Executives Highlight Aerospace Hydrogen Energy’s Leadership Academician Long Lehao congratulated the launch of the new products, noting that this represented a milestone breakthrough in China’s cryogenic liquefaction and hydrogen energy equipment fields, opening a pathway for aerospace hydrogen energy to serve the national economy and aligning with the national “dual carbon” and energy security strategies. Li Zhongbao, Chief Engineer of the Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, stated that the Group regarded hydrogen energy as a strategic growth pole and would work with all parties to build a collaborative and shared industrial ecosystem and promote deep integration across the industry chain. Wang Wanjun, President of the Sixth Academy, said that the Academy adhered to the philosophy of “users first, power first,” and that multiple hydrogen energy equipment products had reached internationally advanced levels. In the future, it would accelerate technological iteration, improve the standards system, and make every effort to achieve the goal of bringing liquid hydrogen technology to the pinnacle. Four Powerful New Products Cover the Full Range of Production, Storage, Transportation, and Refueling Scenarios 1 Side-Mounted 2×40 kg-Class Onboard Liquid Hydrogen System (Saidao-1000S) China’s first subcooled liquid hydrogen system installed on a vehicle, it pioneered dual-cylinder coordinated liquid supply technology and delivered a driving range of over 1,000 kilometers at full load. It adopted an integrated chassis design to reduce wind resistance and release front-end space, and has already been demonstrated jointly with Foton Motor, making it suitable for the large-scale application of liquid hydrogen heavy trucks. 2 Mobile Liquid Hydrogen Refueling Skid and Liquid Hydrogen Hydrogen Dispenser China’s first mobile refueling system for subcooled liquid hydrogen, it fills the gap in temporary refueling for non-fixed stations. By achieving breakthroughs in core technologies, it delivers a liquid hydrogen utilization rate of over 95%, a refueling flow rate of 15 kg/min, and completes full-tank refueling for a heavy truck in 15 minutes, with performance comparable to world-class international standards. 3. 40-Foot Liquid Hydrogen Tank Container The first standardized liquid hydrogen storage and transport equipment, compatible with global road and maritime logistics, with the transport radius extended to over 2,000 kilometers and unit costs reduced by 50% compared with high-pressure gaseous hydrogen. The daily evaporation rate was 0.52% and could be maintained for more than 8 days, addressing the pain points of low storage and transport volume and high costs. 4. 200 m³ Innovative Alkaline Electrolyzer Built on aerospace technology, with direct current (DC) power consumption as low as 4.1 kWh/Nm³, reaching the national Grade 1 energy efficiency standard; the modular design reduced operation and maintenance costs by 90%, supported 12-hour rapid on-site repair, and met the needs of green hydrogen production in multiple scenarios.

The Premier Academic Event in the Energy Storage Field—the 9th Energy Storage Frontier Technology Conference is expected to open soon. The conference is scheduled to be held from March 31 to April 3, 2026, at the Beijing·Capital International Exhibition & Convention Center, and is hosted by the Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences; the China Energy Research Society; and the Zhongguancun Energy Storage Industry Technology Alliance. This conference features nine major tracks: the Academician Forum, Advanced Energy Storage Materials, Energy Storage Design and System Integration, Grid-Forming ESS , Battery Cells, Hydrogen Energy, Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES), Short-Duration High-Frequency Energy Storage, and Safety and Standards . Led by nine academicians, with more than 50 experts from universities and research institutes and more than 70 representatives from leading enterprises gathering together, the conference will jointly explore frontier technologies, development trends, and future challenges in the ESS sector. Established in 2017, the Energy Storage Frontier Technology Conference is an important academic brand event actively developed by the Energy Storage International Summit and Exhibition (ESIE) . The conference aims to provide a platform for experts and scholars in the ESS sector to share research achievements and discuss frontier technologies. By showcasing the latest advances in energy storage technologies, it stimulates innovative thinking and drives technological breakthroughs; grounded in the integration of academic research and industry needs, it offers new ideas for the innovative development of the energy storage industry. Conference Highlights Led by Academicians, with a Strong Lineup Nine academicians will take the lead, with more than 50 experts from universities and research institutes and more than 70 representatives from leading enterprises gathering together to discuss frontier research achievements and share in-depth industry insights. Focused on the Frontier, Comprehensive Coverage Covering hot topic areas such as advanced energy storage materials, battery cells, hydrogen energy, long duration energy storage (LDES), short-duration high-frequency energy storage, grid-forming ESS, energy storage design and system integration, and safety and standards, it provides a comprehensive interpretation of the current development status and future trends of each technology pathway. Industry–Education Integration, Jointly Seeking Development Building a high-level platform for industry–academia–research exchange and cooperation, promoting the transformation of scientific and technological achievements, and pooling efforts to drive the high-quality development of the energy storage industry. Zhongguancun Energy Storage Industry Technology Alliance Student Registration Channel for Attendance 1、 The main forum and all technical tracks of the 9th Energy Storage Frontier Technology Conference are free of charge for enrolled students. The Zhongguancun Energy Storage Industry Technology Alliance has set up a dedicated student registration channel; attendance is permitted after approval by the organizers. 2、 Registration for the General Public Please contact the organizer Zhao Han 18210188771 Visitor Registration Channel Exhibition Dates: April 1–3, 2026 Exhibition Venue: Beijing·Capital International Exhibition & Convention Center How to Visit: Scan the QR code above to make a free reservation to visit the exhibition The Wind Vane for the Development of China’s Energy Storage Industry The 14th Energy Storage International Summit and Exhibition ESIE 2026 Exhibition Dates: April 1, 2026–April 3, 2026 Summit Dates: March 31, 2026–April 3, 2026 Venue: Beijing·Capital International Exhibition & Convention Center