China launches the world’s largest hybrid energy storage system based on batteries and supercapacitors
A new 100 MW hybrid power plant combining supercapacitor technology with lithium-ion storage has been commissioned in northern China. The facility is located in Xinzhou, Shanxi Province. It was connected to the grid at the end of August and, after a testing phase, is expected to begin full commercial operation in September. It is the largest supercapacitor-based installation in the world.
Breakthrough in Shanxi: ultra-fast frequency regulation
The system was built in a region favorable for renewable energy, with high solar irradiation and access to water resources. The entire installation covers approximately 16,800 m² and is estimated to cost 670 million CNY. The project was carried out by Tigstor, responsible for providing the supercapacitor technology and delivering a complete turnkey solution. The construction was handled by the state-owned Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co., Ltd.
The hybrid system combines 58 MW of supercapacitors, capable of operating in 30-second cycles, with 42 MW / 42 MWh of lithium-ion batteries. An advanced energy management system controls the entire installation, distributing tasks between the two components in real time. Supercapacitors handle the fastest millisecond-scale events, while lithium-ion batteries manage changes occurring over minutes.
Why a hybrid?
The decision to combine the two technologies was strategic. Supercapacitors have an ultra-short response time of 0.001 seconds and exceptional resilience to extreme temperatures—retaining over 85% of their capacity even at –40°C. This allows them to absorb the most dynamic grid loads, relieving the batteries and extending their lifespan by about 30%. As a result, the entire system achieves lower lifecycle costs and higher reliability.
In operational mode, the installation maintains grid frequency within ±0.02 Hz and responds to changes within one second. This speed enables the absorption of up to 1.6 GW of renewable energy, allowing integration of roughly twenty times the instantaneous power of the plant itself.
Economic and environmental impact
The project’s significance goes beyond technological innovation. The hybrid plant is expected to generate annual revenues exceeding 120 million CNY, contribute more than 12 million CNY in taxes, and create over 500 local jobs. The estimated payback period is around seven years.
The project has also been included on the second-category green, low-emission demonstration list maintained by the National Development and Reform Commission, making it eligible for central financial support of up to 30% of total costs. Additionally, the project has been recognized as a model solution for standardizing grid-side energy storage systems.
A second expansion phase is planned to double the total capacity to 200 MW. The hybrid model proven in Shanxi is expected to be replicated in other renewable-rich regions such as Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang.