Guoneng Fa Keji Gui [2024] No. 26

To the Energy Bureaus of all provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the central government; to the Development and Reform Commissions, departments in charge of industry and information technology, and urban management commissions of relevant provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the central government, and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps; to all dispatched agencies; and to relevant central enterprises:

To thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, accelerate the planning and development of a new‑type energy system, and fulfill the requirements set forth in the “Guiding Opinions on Accelerating the Development of New‑Type Energy Storage” (NDRC Energy Regulation [2021] No. 1051), the “Provisional Regulations on the Management of New‑Type Energy Storage Projects” (NEA Science and Technology Regulation [2021] No. 47), and the “Notice on Further Promoting the Participation of New‑Type Energy Storage in the Electricity Market and Dispatch Operations” (NDRC Office of Operation [2022] No. 475), this notice hereby sets out the following matters to standardize the grid‑connection and access management of new‑type energy storage, optimize dispatch and operation mechanisms, fully leverage the role of new‑type energy storage, and support the construction of a new‑type power system.

I. General Requirements

(1) Accurately define the functional positioning of new‑type energy storage. New‑type energy storage refers to energy storage technologies—excluding pumped hydro storage—that primarily deliver electricity and provide services to the grid. These technologies offer advantages such as short construction timelines, flexible deployment, and rapid response, enabling them to perform a variety of functions in power system operations, including peak shaving, frequency regulation, voltage control, standby capacity, black start, and inertia response. They constitute an essential enabling technology for building a new‑type power system. As installed capacity expands rapidly, the role of new‑type energy storage in facilitating the development and integration of renewable energy and ensuring the safe and stable operation of the power system is becoming increasingly evident. In light of this functional positioning and market‑oriented requirements, it is necessary to further standardize grid‑connection management for new‑type energy storage, continuously refine its dispatch mechanisms, ensure its rational and efficient utilization, and provide robust support for the construction of a new‑type power system.

(2) Clarifying the scope of new‑type energy storage subject to power system dispatch. New‑type energy storage that is connected to the power system and has a dispatch agreement in place can be categorized into two types: dispatch‑controlled new‑type energy storage and plant‑self‑use new‑type energy storage. Dispatch‑controlled new‑type energy storage refers to systems equipped with independent metering devices and operated in accordance with market clearing outcomes or instructions from the power dispatching authority; this includes standalone energy storage plants and conditionally independently operable grid‑connected energy storage integrated with renewable energy sources. Plant‑self‑use new‑type energy storage, on the other hand, operates in conjunction with power generators, end‑users, or other entities and is controlled by these parties according to their respective needs; it encompasses non‑standalone grid‑connected energy storage integrated with renewables, thermal‑power‑based frequency‑regulation energy storage, and user‑side energy storage capable of responding to dispatch instructions.

II. Strengthening Grid Connection and Dispatch Operations Management of New-Type Energy Storage

(3) Standardize the grid‑connection management of new‑type energy storage. Grid operators and power dispatching agencies shall formulate detailed rules for grid connection and guidelines for grid‑connection services, clearly specifying the grid‑connection procedures, relevant standards, and requirements for grid‑related tests. In accordance with the principles of equality, mutual benefit, consensus, and ensuring the safe operation of the power system, power dispatching agencies shall organize grid‑connection acceptance tests and sign grid‑connection dispatching agreements with new‑type energy storage systems. Following grid connection, such systems shall complete all grid‑related tests within the prescribed time frame.

(4) Optimize the dispatching approach for new‑type energy storage. Power dispatching agencies shall, based on system needs, formulate operational procedures for the dispatch and operation of new‑type energy storage, scientifically determine its dispatch and operating modes, and allocate its ancillary services resources in a fair and impartial manner. Actively support the development of integrated dispatching models such as “new energy plus storage,” aggregated storage, and photovoltaic–storage–charging integration; give priority to dispatching pilot and demonstration projects involving new‑type energy storage, and fully leverage the value of various types of storage. When dispatching new‑type energy storage, for those participating in the electricity market, operations shall be scheduled according to market clearing results; for those not yet eligible to participate in the electricity market, dispatch instructions shall be issued for their deployment. In the event of safety incidents or other emergency situations that threaten the power system, all new‑type energy storage within the scope of dispatch management shall be subject to unified, direct dispatch by the power dispatching agency, with pricing under an independent charge‑discharge mechanism applied during periods of direct dispatch.

(5) Strengthen the operation and management of new‑type energy storage. When formulating or revising electricity market rules, as well as the “Detailed Rules for the Administration of Ancillary Services” and the “Detailed Rules for the Grid Connection and Operation Management,” local authorities shall clearly define and refine the assessment and implementation measures applicable to various types of new‑type energy storage. New‑type energy storage facilities shall, in accordance with the requirements of the power dispatching agency, promptly submit operational data; meanwhile, the power dispatching agency shall regularly transmit information on the dispatch and utilization of such facilities to the National Big Data Platform for New‑Type Energy Storage.

III. Clarifying Technical Requirements for Grid Connection and Dispatch of New-Type Energy Storage

(6) Standardize technical requirements for the grid connection and access of new‑type energy storage. New‑type energy storage systems shall comply with the safety and stability operating requirements of the power system, undergo the requisite performance tests and grid‑interconnection tests, and meet relevant national and industry technical standards and regulatory requirements to ensure safe and stable operation. The entities responsible for new‑type energy storage projects must develop detailed operation and maintenance procedures, on‑site operating procedures, emergency response plans and emergency management measures, as well as outage and maintenance schedules, and submit these documents to the power dispatching agency on a regular basis.

(7) Clarify the technical requirements for the dispatch and operation of new‑type energy storage. New‑type energy storage systems shall be equipped with power control systems or coordinated control systems. All new‑type energy storage within the dispatch jurisdiction shall have the capability to automatically regulate active and reactive power in accordance with dispatch instructions, connect to the AGC, AVC, and other systems of the relevant power dispatching agency, receive and execute dispatch commands, and implement information security safeguards. The dispatch principles for new‑type energy storage co‑located at renewable energy bases shall be implemented in accordance with the “Technical Guidelines for the Planning of New‑Type Energy Storage Configured for Power Delivery from Renewable Energy Bases” (NB/T 11194‑2023).

(8) Encourage the retrofitting of existing advanced energy storage technologies. Existing advanced energy storage systems are encouraged to undergo technological upgrades to enable them to respond to grid dispatch instructions. Once they meet the relevant technical requirements, the power dispatching agency shall promptly facilitate their grid connection and dispatch operations.

(9) Promote innovation in intelligent control technologies for next-generation energy storage. In light of the diverse application scenarios and market‑driven operational requirements of new‑type energy storage, actively advance research and development on technologies such as coordinated optimal dispatch between new‑type energy storage and other power sources, key technologies for intelligent cluster scheduling of large‑scale energy storage systems, grid‑level proactive support technologies based on new‑type energy storage, and aggregated interactive control technologies for virtual power plants leveraging distributed energy storage resources like electric vehicles, with a strong focus on accelerating the deployment of these cutting‑edge innovations.

IV. Strengthening Grid Connection and Dispatch Coordination for New-Type Energy Storage

(10) Strengthen the management of new‑type energy storage projects. Provincial energy authorities shall, in coordination with relevant entities, enhance the development of a project‑management framework for new‑type energy storage, and reinforce the planning, filing, construction, operation, and dispatch‑request management of such projects within their respective regions.

(11) Provide high-quality grid-connection services for new‑type energy storage. Grid operators and power dispatching agencies shall offer grid‑access services to new‑type energy storage on a fair and non‑discriminatory basis, provide technical guidance, streamline the grid‑connection process, and ensure the safe and efficient integration of such storage into the grid.

(12) Promote the dispatch of new‑type energy storage through market‑based mechanisms. Localities should fully take into account the unique characteristics of new‑type energy storage, accelerate the refinement of relevant rules governing its participation in electricity‑energy and ancillary‑services markets, diversify trading products, and factor in supporting policies and electricity supply‑demand conditions. By employing flexible and effective market‑oriented approaches, they should encourage new‑type energy storage to serve multiple purposes and be utilized across different time periods, thereby further enriching its market‑based business models.

(13) Strengthen supervision and management of grid connection, dispatching, and operation of new‑type energy storage. The National Energy Administration’s dispatched agencies and provincial energy authorities shall, in accordance with their respective responsibilities, enhance oversight and management of the grid connection and dispatching operations of new‑type energy storage, establish and improve a coordination mechanism for managing these activities, and resolve related disputes. Any significant issues identified in the course of this work shall be promptly reported to the National Energy Administration.

This notice shall take effect from the date of its issuance and shall be valid for a period of five years.

National Energy Administration
April 2, 2024