Foshan Steel Plant Cuts Monthly Power Bills of RMB 700,000–800,000，PV Alone Falls Short — Energy Storage Breaks the Bottleneck

📌 PV + Energy Storage

Recently, a steel manufacturing plant in Nanhai District, Foshan, Guangdong Province successfully reduced its electricity costs by installing an energy storage power station, overcoming the limitations of its 4 MW rooftop photovoltaic (PV) system.

By introducing a PV + Energy Storage integrated solution tailored to the plant’s operating conditions, the project provided a breakthrough solution to the company’s long-standing challenge of high electricity expenses.

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📃 Project Background

PV Alone Is Not Enough — Energy Storage Provides the Breakthrough

As electricity demand continued to grow, the steel plant had already installed 4 MW of PV capacity. However, PV generation alone was insufficient to meet production needs, especially during nighttime peak hours when the plant still relied heavily on grid power. As a result, electricity costs remained high.

To further reduce energy expenses while aligning with China’s “Dual-Carbon” (carbon peak and carbon neutrality) strategy, the plant management turned to energy storage as a solution. By adopting a PV + Energy Storage model, the system stores low-cost electricity and utilizes it during peak demand periods, reducing dependence on the grid and maximizing the use of low-cost and renewable energy.

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🔧 Solution

Customized Energy Storage System

Based on the plant’s 4 MW PV installation and monthly electricity consumption of 700,000–800,000 kWh, Zhongke Hengyi Energy designed a precisely matched energy storage configuration to complement the existing PV system.

1. Hardware Configuration

The project deployed 33 units of 100 kW / 261 kWh liquid-cooled energy storage cabinets, with a total installed storage capacity of 3.3 MW / 8,613 kWh.
The system is connected on the low-voltage side, ensuring seamless integration with the plant’s existing power distribution system.

2. Optimized Footprint

Due to the large number of cabinets required and limited available space on site, the project faced strict installation constraints.
Each 261 kWh liquid-cooled energy storage cabinet has a width of only 900 mm and a footprint of just 1.2 m², enabling an efficient and optimal layout within a highly constrained space.

3. Technological Innovation

• Equipped with an industry-leading liquid cooling intelligent temperature control system, maintaining battery temperature variation within ±1°C
• Features a self-developed PCS (Power Conversion System) with a total conversion efficiency of 89.93%
• Integrated with an AI-powered smart energy management platform, supported by a multi-layer safety protection system, ensuring high reliability and operational safety

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🔍 Project Results

Achieving Both Economic and Environmental Benefits

✅️ Cost Reduction and Efficiency Improvement

Through peak shaving and valley filling, the energy storage system significantly reduces electricity costs, saving the steel plant approximately RMB 2.4 million per year, delivering both financial savings and environmental benefits.

✅️ Supporting Grid Stability

The energy storage system actively responds to grid peak regulation and frequency control requirements, effectively smoothing PV generation fluctuations. This enhances regional grid stability and provides reliable support for clean and sustainable electricity usage.