SPIC Sichuan’s Panzhihua 100MW/500MWh Vanadium Flow Battery Project: Phase 1 (12MW/60MWh) Passes Continuous Trial-Run Assessment, Moving Toward Commercial Operation

Date: 02 Feb 2026 | Author: Dr Yu Li

Categories: 新闻 |

Source: ASIACHEM WeChat, 28 January 2026 

State Power Investment Corporation Sichuan Electric Power Co., Ltd. announced that Phase 1 of its Panzhihua 100MW/500MWh Vanadium Flow Battery Energy Storage Demonstration Project has successfully passed a continuous trial-run assessment by the State Grid Sichuan Electric Power Dispatch Control Center, marking a major milestone on the path to full commercial operation.

At 11:16 on 25 January 2026, the Phase-1 “verification base” (12MW/60MWh) — dispatched under the name Panyuan Energy Storage Power Station — cleared the dispatch center’s continuous trial-run requirements. The project is one of Sichuan’s first batch of new-type energy storage demonstration projects, and is described as the province’s first grid-side independent vanadium flow battery station as well as the largest vanadium flow battery project in Southwest China. 

Rigorous grid-compliance testing completed ahead of trial run

Because the station is designed for long-duration operation, commissioning tests involve extended charge/discharge cycles (reported at up to six hours per test). Ahead of trial-run startup, the project team completed the full suite of required grid-connection and performance validation work, including:

  • Grid adaptability testing
  • High/low-voltage ride-through capability testing
  • Rated energy testing
  • Electromechanical/electromagnetic transient modeling and model verification

These tests validated system reliability and stability across multiple operating conditions. 

Technology and business-model innovations for long-duration storage

The project reports several features intended to advance long-duration storage operations and commercialization, including:

  • Discharge-side energy metering (a less common metering approach in the sector)
  • Two vanadium flow battery configurations with different duration designs
  • A self-developed EMS power-allocation strategy to balance energy delivery targets and efficiency under long-duration dispatch

In addition, the station is described as China’s first energy-storage project to adopt a vanadium electrolyte “stockpiling + leasing” model, aiming to accelerate bankability and broader deployment of vanadium flow batteries. 

Local supply chain impact and market participation

Located in the TuanShan area of the National Vanadium‑Titanium High‑Tech Zone, the site features 48 large battery containers installed in a dedicated industrial zone. The project reports the use of locally produced high-energy mixed-acid electrolyte and vanadium pentoxide, supporting regional industrial development across vanadium resources, electrolyte, stacks, and system integration. 

Upon commercial operation, the station is expected to participate via power spot trading + ancillary services, providing grid services such as peaking support, emergency backup, and improved renewable energy integration across Sichuan. 

Project at a glance

  • Project: Panzhihua 100MW/500MWh vanadium flow battery energy storage demonstration project
  • Planned scale: 100MW / 500MWh (5-hour duration)
  • Phase 1: 12MW / 60MWh (verification base)
  • Phase 2: 88MW / 440MWh (planned)
  • Start of construction: 28 December 2023
  • Grid connection (Phase 1 reported): 28 August 2025
  • Continuous trial-run assessment passed (Phase 1): 25 January 2026, 11:16
  • Investor/developer: SPIC Sichuan Electric Power Co., Ltd.
  • Reported equipment/technical support: Dalian Rongke Power Co., Ltd. 

Some additional participants are also mentioned in public reporting related to the electrolyte leasing ecosystem, including Panzhihua Urban Construction & Transport (Group) Co., Ltd., Tianfu Commodity Exchange, and Sichuan Pancheng Vanadium‑Titanium Supply Chain Management Co., Ltd..