As the global energy storage industry gains unprecedented momentum, Beijing has emerged as a pivotal arena for dialogue and innovation in clean energy. The 13th Energy Storage International Conference and Expo (ESIE 2025), which concluded on April 12 at the Beijing Capital International Convention and Exhibition Center, marked the most expansive iteration of the event to date.
Under the theme “Empowering Industry Transformation through Digital Intelligence, Reshaping the Energy Landscape through Storage,” the summit convened nearly 800 exhibitors across the entire energy storage value chain and welcomed close to 100,000 professionals from home and abroad. Over the course of the exhibition, total footfall reached 200,000, while online viewership exceeded 2.3 million.
Global minds converge to map the energy future
ESIE 2025 opened with addresses from senior Chinese government officials and academics, including members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering. Leaders from grid operators, utilities and storage companies also joined to discuss the reshaping of the global power landscape.
A highlight of the event was the eighth Frontiers of Energy Storage Technology Forum, led by seven prominent academicians. Discussions spanned topics including next-generation storage materials, sodium-ion and flow batteries, hydrogen systems, AI applications in battery diagnostics, and the evolving role of short-duration, high-frequency storage.
Industry stakeholders also convened in high-level dialogues to address the commercialization of new energy sources and regulatory changes following the implementation of China’s “Document No. 136,” which recalibrates storage revenue structures. Internationally, the event held three global forums and four cross-border business matchmaking sessions, attracting representatives from Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region.
Breakthroughs and unveilings: a panoramic view of the storage ecosystem
More than 100 new storage technologies made their global debut at ESIE, with leading players such as CATL, BYD, CRRC Zhuzhou, and Rept Battero unveiling ultra-high-capacity systems of 6MWh and above. The largest launch came from Zhongtian Technology, which introduced a 7MWh solution, while others including Envision, Narada, and HyperStrong showcased 8MWh systems.
The exhibition floor spanned over 160,000 square metres, hosting a sweeping array of technologies from core materials and battery cells to BMS, PCS, EMS, thermal management, system integration, EPC, and smart O&M. Six top-tier Chinese universities, including Xi’an Jiao Tong and Shanghai Jiao Tong, jointly showcased education-industry collaboration platforms focused on talent development and R&D-commercialization pathways.
Major achievements released during the event included the 2025 White Paper on China’s Storage Industry, a new lithium battery carbon footprint database, and a comprehensive study on the flow battery sector. Meanwhile, the International Energy Storage Innovation Awards and the 2024 China Storage Industry Rankings recognized standout innovators and market leaders.
Sudden storm brings early close — but not a full stop
Despite its record scale and international acclaim, ESIE 2025 came to an abrupt early closing due to severe weather. Organizers issued a public apology, thanking attendees and reaffirming the industry's resilience. “Like a roc soaring into the sky against the wind,” organizers wrote, borrowing a metaphor from classical Chinese poetry, “the energy storage sector will continue its ascent.”
Looking ahead
The event also marked the 15th anniversary of the China Energy Storage Alliance (CNESA), which co-founded ESIE. Organizers emphasized the platform’s growing global relevance, pointing to rising participation, broader influence, and deepened cross-border collaboration.
As energy storage cements itself as the backbone of future energy systems, ESIE is poised to remain a key barometer for policy, investment and technology direction in the years ahead.
