ESIE 2026 New Product Highlights (I): The Race for Larger Cells as Energy Storage Systems Enter a New "High-Capacity" Era
The 14th Energy Storage International Conference and Expo (ESIE 2026) was held from March 31 to April 3 at the Capital International Convention and Exhibition Center in Beijing. Under the theme "Innovating Scenarios, Redefinning Value, Connecting the World" the event brought together 850+ exhibitors and over 5,000 upstream and downstream enterprises from across the global industrial chain. During the expo, multiple companies unveiled their next-generation large-capacity cells and matching high-capacity energy storage systems. This article reviews the new product highlights of four companies: REsource Electric, PENGCHENG INFINITE, INPOW, and Envision.
REsource Electric (REsource Electric Tianjin Ltd): From Cells to Systems, Scaling Up the High-Voltage Cascade Route
During the expo, Wang Hongzhan, R&D Director of REsource Electric, delivered a keynote report titled "Mingyang High-Voltage Cascade Energy Storage System Solution" at the Energy Storage Design and System Integration Forum, presenting the high-voltage cascade route - with its high efficiency, large capacity, and strong active grid support capability - which has already been deployed at scale in multiple commercial projects.
The centerpiece of REsource Electric's showcase was its 50 MW/200 MWh high-voltage cascade energy storage system solution for grid-side standalone energy storage and renewable energy integration. Developed on 587 Ah large-capacity LFP cells and aligned with the industry's 500 Ah+ technology trend, the solution achieves optimal matching in size, energy density, and system integration, effectively improving renewable energy utilization and lowering the levelized cost of storage.
The standardized 6.25 MWh AC-DC integrated cabin displayed alongside it also uses 587 Ah cells. Two cabins share the same foundation platform with the transformer, eliminating the need for a separate PCS cabin and complex interconnection cabling, resulting in a more compact system structure, more flexible deployment, and tangible cost reduction and efficiency gains through full-chain integration.
For niche scenarios such as residential microgrids and off-grid island power supply, REsource Electric also brought its 418 kWh distributed energy storage cabinet, featuring a hybrid AC/DC modular design, support for parallel operation of multiple PCS units, and built-in cloud monitoring and off-grid functions to provide emergency backup power, dynamic capacity expansion, and power quality management services.
Pengcheng Infinite Energy PENGCHENG INFINITE: The 587 Ah Large-Capacity Energy Storage Cell
At the expo, PENGCHENG INFINITE held the launch ceremony of the 587 Ah Large-Cell Ecosystem Cooperation Alliance. Industry players including Zhongchu Technology, Wolong Electric, JD Energy, CLOU Electronics, RelyEZ Energy, Yotai Energy, and Hoymiles joined the alliance to jointly promote the market deployment of the 587 Ah flagship cell.
The PENGCHENG INFINITE 587 Ah large-capacity energy storage cell has been comprehensively re-engineered in materials, structure, and process. In safety, innovative low-heat-release composite cathode materials, high-temperature anti-shrinkage insulation films, and temperature-resistant electrolytes deliver reliable safety in high-risk scenarios such as overcharge and nail penetration. In cycle life, near-zero-polarization phase-change materials and diffusion-adaptive anodes ensure more than 8,000 cycles, supporting long-term stable station operation. In reliability, self-healing anion electrolytes, low-lithium-consumption graphite, and new current collectors safeguard long-term in-service performance. The cell also adheres to a wound structure that reduces cross-sections and burrs, achieving lower self-discharge so that energy storage products truly stand the test of time.
This 587 Ah large cell significantly improves production and assembly efficiency, reduces site footprint, simplifies system integration, and lowers full-lifecycle safety costs, cracking the industry's core challenge of large-scale development and providing better solutions for utility-scale and commercial & industrial (C&I) scenarios.
The Tianqi 6.25 MWh energy storage system built around the 587 Ah cell delivers 25% more energy, approximately 20% less footprint, and 46.2% fewer cells than conventional 5 MWh solutions, with simultaneous reductions in initial investment, construction difficulty, and later O&M costs. It supports 2-4 hour long-duration storage in both centralized and string configurations.
INPOW: The "Four-Dimension Cornerless" Hybrid Solid-Liquid Large Storage Cell
INPOW, in partnership with the National Advanced Energy Storage Innovation Center, debuted its 587 Ah hybrid solid-liquid energy storage cell, delivering a "Four-Dimension Cornerless" design across structure, electric field, mechanics, and safety: a high-precision lamination process eliminates material shedding risks and reduces electrode alignment error by 67%; double tabs, three-dimensional conduction, and all-dimensional heat dissipation raise low-temperature capacity retention by 6%, cut internal resistance by 15%, and reduce charge/discharge temperature rise by 43%; peak swelling force drops 40% and plastic irreversible swelling falls 32%, extending cycle life beyond 10,000 cycles; and directional pressure-relief venting lowers internal pressure by 25% and boosts interlayer venting efficiency by 56%.
At its technical core is the "Qiangang Kunluo" hybrid solid-liquid dual electrolyte: a nano-oxide solid electrolyte that reduces lithium dendrite short-circuit risk by 95%, and an in-situ polymerized gel solid electrolyte that cuts interfacial impedance by 90% and raises the electrolyte flash point by 100°C.
On industrialization, the cell is already capable of million-unit mass production, with a 1,600 mm ultra-wide production line delivering 3x efficiency, complemented by AI full inspection and digital twin management.
In safety validation, the Haohan version passed all national standard tests, while the Qiankun version completed extreme tests including 10x national-standard crush, a 200°C ultra-high-temperature thermal box, and 1,000°C open flame exposure - with no fire and no smoke.
Envision Energy: 790 Ah Cell Enters Production, 12.5 MWh AI Energy Storage System Deployed
Under the theme "Pioneering AI Energy Systems," Envision unveiled multiple products in one go: the 12.5 MWh AI energy storage system equipped with a next-generation AI-adaptive PCS made its official debut, and the world's largest prismatic wound energy storage cell, the 790 Ah, was announced as officially entering production. The cell delivers an energy density exceeding 440 Wh/L, a cycle life surpassing 15,000 cycles, a calendar life of up to 30 years, and a cell RTE of 96%. At the system level, third-generation silicon carbide (SiC) PCS and AI thermal management push efficiency above 92%, while the large sub-array design cuts station footprint by 37.6% and boosts grid-connection efficiency by more than 50%.
Leveraging its self-developed Envision Tianji Weather Foundation Model and Envision Dubhe Energy Foundation Model, integrate physical AI across the entire chain of station planning, design, manufacturing, operation, and trading, lifting full-lifecycle station IRR by 4-8 percentage points.
Launched alongside was the 6.X-12.X MW AI-adaptive storage PCS-transformer integrated unit, inheriting 16 years of power electronics expertise. It achieves 99.3% efficiency and full-load operation without derating at 55°C, and has secured grid-forming certifications from multiple countries, including Germany's VDE FNN, Spain's REE, and Australia's AEMO.
In addition, Envision's first sodium-ion storage-dedicated cell has officially rolled off the production line, with a capacity exceeding 180 Ah, an operating temperature range spanning -40°C to 70°C, and a cycle life of no less than 20,000 cycles. Targeting AIDC backup power and extreme high/low-temperature scenarios, it will complement Envision's lithium battery portfolio.
It is reported that Envision and Tencent have delivered the world's first data center with 100% direct green power supply in Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, cutting overall energy costs by more than 40% and reducing carbon emissions by up to 180,000 tones per year.
Envision is also partnering with a leading AI company to build the world's largest zero-carbon AIDC park in Ulanqab City, expected to be delivered this year.
As electricity market reforms deepen and the global energy transition advances, energy storage systems are shifting from "hardware assets" to "AI assets." Envision's AI energy storage not only provides critical support for building stable, profitable renewable energy systems, driving the domestic industry from price competition toward value competition, but will also empower more countries and regions to accelerate their green, low-carbon transition and foster new prosperity.
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