In this critical period of energy transition, the construction of energy storage power stations has become a key link in promoting sustainable energy development. Whether it’s addressing peak-valley regulation of the power grid or supporting the stable output of renewable energy, energy storage power stations play an indispensable role. However, building an energy storage power station is no easy task; it involves multiple complex stages and numerous key steps. This article will provide an in-depth analysis of the entire process of building an energy storage power station, covering 6 major stages and over 20 key steps, along with 6 core points to help you avoid pitfalls in project development, ensure successful project implementation, and achieve efficient and intelligent energy management.
I. The Importance of the Entire Construction and Development Process of Energy Storage Power Stations
Energy storage power stations, acting as “power banks” in the power system, play a crucial role in regulating power supply and demand balance, improving power system flexibility, and promoting the consumption of new energy sources. With the improvement of electricity market rules and the large-scale grid connection of new energy sources, the entire construction and development process of energy storage power stations has become particularly important.
On the one hand, the construction and development of energy storage power stations need to adhere to strict technical standards and specifications to ensure the safe and stable operation of the stations. On the other hand, the profit model of energy storage power stations is closely related to electricity market rules, requiring full consideration of market demand, electricity price policies, subsidy policies, and other factors to formulate reasonable development strategies.
II. Detailed Overview of the Entire Construction and Development Process of Energy Storage Power Stations
🔴 1. Preliminary Planning Stage
1️⃣ Project Requirements Determination
Scale and Capacity: Determine the scale and capacity of the energy storage power station based on factors such as regional electricity demand and new energy power generation.
Usage Environment: Analyze the usage environment of the energy storage power station, including climate conditions and geographical location, to provide a basis for subsequent equipment selection.
Benefit Policy: Study national and local subsidy policies and electricity pricing policies to assess the project’s economic viability.
2️⃣ External Conditions Survey:
Potential Site Selection: Investigate the land use, transportation conditions, and surrounding environment of the project site to select a suitable construction location.
Power Supply and Load Structure: Analyze the local power supply structure and load characteristics to provide a basis for the energy storage power station’s charging and discharging strategy.
Grid Connection Voltage Level and Transmission Line: Determine the grid connection voltage level and transmission line length for the energy storage power station to ensure smooth grid connection.
3️⃣ Feasibility Study Report Preparation:
Economic Analysis: Includes investment costs and revenue forecasts to assess the project’s economic benefits.
Technical Feasibility: Analyze the maturity and reliability of the adopted energy storage technology to ensure the feasibility of the technical solution.
Social Environment: Assess the project’s impact on the surrounding environment and residents, and propose corresponding environmental protection measures.
Market Demand: Analyze the market acceptance of energy storage services and the supply and demand situation in the electricity market to provide a basis for project decision-making.
🔴 2. Planning and Preparation Phase
1️⃣ Obtaining Approval Documents
NDRC Filing: Submit a project filing application to the local NDRC to obtain crucial documentation for the legal operation of the project.
Land Approval: Complete land use procedures and obtain approval from the land department.
Environmental Approval: Conduct an environmental impact assessment and obtain approval from the environmental protection department.
Grid Connection Opinion: Obtain preliminary review opinions from the provincial power company and grid connection opinions to ensure the feasibility of grid connection for the project.
2️⃣ Financing Planning and Partner Selection
Financing Plan Development: Develop a financing plan based on the project scale and funding needs, and explore financing options such as bank loans and equity financing.
Partner Selection: Actively seek suitable partners, such as equipment suppliers, design firms, engineering construction companies, or EPC contractors.
🔴 3. Design Preparation Phase
1️⃣ Technology Selection
Battery Technology Selection: Based on comprehensive factors such as project requirements, environmental conditions, and market demands, select appropriate battery technologies, such as lithium-ion batteries, sodium-sulfur batteries, and flow batteries.
Other Technology Selection: Includes the selection of control strategies, monitoring systems, etc., to ensure the safe and stable operation of the energy storage power station.
2️⃣ Project Construction Drawing Design
Site Surveying and Geological Investigation: Accurately depict the topography and geological conditions of the project site to provide basic data for subsequent construction.
Grid Connection Report Preparation: Detail the planning of how the energy storage power station will connect to the local power system, including key information such as the connection point and connection capacity.
Specialized Drawings: Structural, civil engineering, electrical, and other disciplines conduct detailed drawing work based on the overall construction blueprint.
Technical Specifications and Agreements: Issue product technical specifications, clarifying the technical standards that various equipment and materials should meet, and sign technical agreements with various manufacturers.
🔴 4. Construction Phase
1️⃣ Equipment Procurement
Procurement Plan Development: Based on project requirements and the technical and selection requirements outlined in the preliminary design, an equipment procurement plan will be developed.
Equipment Bidding and Procurement: Suitable equipment suppliers will be selected through bidding and other methods, procurement contracts will be signed, and strict control will be maintained over equipment production quality and delivery schedules.
2️⃣ Area Construction Work
Energy Storage Power Station Area Construction: This includes a series of tasks such as foundation pouring, battery container installation, booster box installation, combiner box installation, inverter and transformer substation foundation construction, etc. Simultaneously, electrical connections and cable laying, and site grounding fabrication and welding are also required to ensure the safety and stability of power transmission.
Living Area Construction: This includes the installation of SVG rooms, high-voltage rooms, central control rooms, comprehensive rooms, pump rooms and equipment, as well as the construction of living area roads and fencing, and the excavation, masonry, and grounding of cable trenches between equipment rooms, providing necessary facilities support for the living and working of staff during power station operation.
3️⃣ Relevant Management Work During Construction
Environmental Management: Comply with environmental regulations and take measures to reduce pollution such as dust and noise during construction.
Energy Management: Optimize construction processes and equipment usage to reduce energy consumption during construction.
Safety Management: Establish and improve safety management systems to ensure the safety of construction personnel.
🔴 5. Acceptance Phase
1️⃣ Visual Inspection
Inspect the overall appearance of the energy storage power station, including whether the building structure is intact and whether the equipment is neatly installed.
2️⃣ Electrical Performance Testing
Test the electrical performance of the energy storage power station, such as the battery’s charge and discharge performance and the power station’s energy conversion efficiency.
3️⃣ Operational Testing
Conduct operational tests to simulate actual operating scenarios and verify the operation of the energy storage power station under different operating conditions.
4️⃣ Safety and Environmental Assessment
Conduct a safety assessment to ensure the safety of the power station during operation, including whether the equipment’s safety protection devices are effective, whether there are any safety hazards in the operating procedures, and whether fire safety measures are in place.
Environmental assessment checks whether the power station meets environmental protection requirements, such as whether noise emissions meet standards and whether electromagnetic radiation is within safe limits.
🔴 6. Operation and Maintenance Phase
1️⃣ Regular Inspection and Maintenance
Regular inspection and maintenance of the energy storage power station are conducted, including daily equipment inspections and battery health monitoring.
2️⃣ Energy Saving and Environmental Management
Energy saving and environmental management continue during operation. For example, optimizing the operation strategy of the energy storage power station, improving equipment operating efficiency, and reducing unnecessary energy consumption; monitoring and managing the environmental impact of the energy storage power station to ensure that emissions of pollutants such as noise and electromagnetic radiation always meet standard requirements.
3️⃣ Adjusting Charging and Discharging Strategies According to Needs
As the operating environment of the energy storage power station constantly changes, the charging and discharging strategy must be adapted accordingly. For example, during periods of large peak-valley electricity price differences, charging and discharging strategies can be adjusted to maximize arbitrage opportunities; or discharging power can be increased during peak demand periods and charging power can be increased during off-peak periods to cooperate with the power grid in peak shaving and valley filling, thereby maximizing multiple benefits while ensuring the stable operation of the power grid.
