Solving energy storage’s key challenges with Goldwind’s grid-forming, DC and AC solutions

Energy-Storage.news: What trends do you see in energy storage adoption in the power market?

Yantian (Tony) Pan: Over the past decade, we’ve witnessed energy storage evolve from a niche solution to a cornerstone of global power markets. The transformation is most visible in how storage is enabling renewable energy integration – what started from pilot projects, and scaled up to gigawatt-hour deployments, particularly in markets like the US and China, where utility-scale projects dominate.

But nowhere is this transition more pronounced than in Europe, where the surging of ambitious climate targets, energy independent concerns, and innovative market designs has created a very potential and diversified storage landscape.

The critical question now is: what kind of flexibility assets does the Europe power market need in order to effectively integrate the variable renewable energy (VRE)?

We’re observing some definitive trends: BESS saturation is compressing traditional revenue streams in ancillary service markets; the irreversible shift from mechanical rotating equipment to inverter-based resources (IBR) continues; electricity pricing mechanisms are evolving from uniform pricing to nodal pricing, turning location value into a dynamic variable; EPC costs remain elevated due to inflationary pressures, creating a growing deviation between equipment and construction costs.

Most fundamentally, VRE is decoupling market clearing prices from volatility—while depressing overall price levels, it simultaneously magnifies volatility through extreme price spikes during limited hours.

This paradox ultimately reveals the electricity market’s fundamental need: flexibility assets capable of navigating both low-price norms and high-volatility risks, which presents a historic opportunity for energy storage and other balancing resources.

What are the main challenges you are observing in the energy storage market, and how is Goldwind positioning itself to address these?

Solving storage’s toughest problems has been the Goldwind team’s daily pursuit. We see five critical challenges that require integrated solutions.

Firstly, the industry must overcome gigawatt-scale deployment barriers—not just in manufacturing scalability but also in ensuring consistent quality across project delivery, commissioning, and long-term operation.

Secondly, as projects scale, the cost-safety equilibrium becomes critical; we’re seeing tighter margins demand innovative designs that don’t compromise protection standards.

Thirdly, availability metrics need redefinition – asset owners now require granularity into how ESS performs across different time settlement to maximise the revenue in spot market.

Fourthly, cell technology diversification introduces both opportunities and complexity, as large-format cells demand new safety protocols and maintenance approaches.

Finally, weak grids urgently need grid-forming capabilities to maintain stability amid renewable penetration.

Goldwind is positioning ourselves as an integrated solution provider that bridges technical and commercial gaps in energy storage deployment. Our unique positioning combines AC-side innovation with DC-side standardisation to solve core market challenges.

By developing optimised AC stations with enhanced medium-voltage capacity and multi-model battery flexibility, we directly address grid-forming (GFM) functions while reducing balance of system (BOS) costs and downtime – critical factors for large-scale deployment.

On the DC side, our focus on lifetime alignment with VRE assets and fault point optimisation specifically targets hybrid project bankability and peaking reliability. The decoupled turnkey approach represents our strategic response to the industry’s need for risk-mitigated, standardised solutions that still allow for configuration flexibility.

This dual-path innovation framework – balancing technical advancements with financial viability – positions Goldwind uniquely to support both current market requirements and future grid evolution.

How do you differentiate yourself from competitors?

As the energy storage market grows increasingly crowded, Goldwind stands apart by leveraging our unique position as a global renewable energy leader. With over 27 years of experience deploying over 135GW of renewable capacity across 47 countries, as the wind expert, we bring unmatched system-level expertise to energy storage—particularly in integrating variable renewable energy (VRE) into diverse grid environments.

Our differentiation begins with grid-forming technology tailored for weak grids, a critical capability developed through real-world experience. Our storage solutions maintain stability at ultra-low short circuit ratio (SCR) and providing essential services like black start and virtual inertia.

Beyond technology, Goldwind redefines global deployment through localised delivery at scale. We combine centralised R&D (8 global innovation hubs) with localised execution—from regional manufacturing (3 overseas production bases) to 70+ dedicated installation teams.

This global approach ensures compliance with regional standards while reducing project risks, as demonstrated by our 140+ successful energy storage deployments across six continents.

Most critically, we deliver storage as part of an integrated renewable ecosystem. Our solutions inherit Goldwind’s wind-power DNA, featuring seamless DC/AC coupling with wind turbines to minimise balance-of-system costs, shared control platforms between generation and storage assets and Energy Storage as a Service (E-SaaS) lifecycle optimisation, leveraging 27 years of renewable O&M data, etc.

How does Goldwind’s BESS solution help operators achieve BOP cost reductions?

Goldwind’s BESS solutions deliver measurable BOP cost reductions through integrated design innovations and standardised deployment practices. Our modular architecture achieves a 91.6% reduction in fault-related losses while shortening construction timelines through flexible configurations. This engineering philosophy extends to our DC-coupled systems that share electrical infrastructure with wind turbines, eliminating separate land acquisition and civil work costs.

The cost advantages compound through three operational dimensions: Firstly, our containerised MV skid solutions leverage pre-assembled components that reduce onsite installation labour. Secondly, centralised BESS coordination at the 35kV substation level maximises existing grid interconnection assets rather than requiring new infrastructure. Thirdly, more granularity and modular design improve the performance consistency and optimise the degradation curve, directly extending the operational flexibility.

Tell us about your global industrial chain and localised resource deployment.

Goldwind operates an integrated global supply chain with localised execution to deliver energy storage system (ESS) solutions worldwide. Our network combines centralised R&D with regional manufacturing and service hubs for full lifetime service.

We maintain a tiered logistics system with central, national and on-site warehouses, enabling cross-border parts sharing and rapid repairs for more than 40 component types. Seven solution factories and three overseas production bases in key markets like Germany and Brazil ensure localised support.

Eleven global R&D centres develop region-specific solutions. We’ve maximised the service advantage from our experience and activities in wind energy: our 70+ installation teams and local service centres provide emergency response within two hours, alongside 24/7 remote monitoring and local grid expertise.

This approach delivers proven results, like Chongqing’s Liangjiang 100MW/200MWh project where daily revenue reaches RMB100,000 (US$13,870). Performance-backed warranties guarantee 99% system availability, as demonstrated at Inner Mongolia’s 36MW/120MWh facility, which was completed in 45 days.

By balancing global scale with local adaptation, we cut logistics costs by 30% and improve repair speeds by 40%, directly lowering customer CAPEX/OPEX.

What benefits does your Energy Storage as a Service offering provide?

Goldwind’s Energy Storage as a Service (E-SaaS) delivers comprehensive value across the project lifecycle through four differentiated service pillars:

First, Operational Certainty. Our Accurate service tier preemptively addresses factors impacting revenue before project delivery, combining UL/IEC-certified safety systems with performance-proven grid interconnection across 38 countries. The Firm tier then safeguards operational revenue through 24/7 global O&M coverage—enabled by 70+ specialised teams and regional warehouses ensuring <2-day spare parts delivery.

Second, Risk Mitigation. E-SaaS embeds stable grid compliance services, including weak grid operation (SCR=1) and black-start capabilities validated in Inner Mongolia’s 36MW/120MWh project. This is backed by 25-year extendable warranties with 99% availability guarantees for ESS+PCS.

Third, Cost Optimisation. The Adequate service tier’s modular architecture reduces BOP costs, through minimised DC parallel losses, while our DC-coupled solutions eliminate land acquisition costs. For example, the Pak Phanang project in Thailand demonstrated 10%+ curtailment reduction via integrated wind turbine generator-battery energy storage system (WTG-BESS) controls.

Lastly, Future-Proofing. With eight global R&D centres developing the know-how to effectively integrate renewable resources, we enable clients to adapt to evolving market rules.

Where do you see demand for grid-forming products and what are your grid-forming technology offerings?

Goldwind’s grid-forming energy storage solutions provide essential stability for renewable-rich power grids. Unlike conventional systems, our technology actively controls voltage and frequency, even in weak grid conditions, with extremely fast response.

The solution combines our proprietary power conversion and control systems to deliver both fast response and sustained stability. This transforms storage into an active grid asset rather than just a passive component.

We’ve already deployed over 1.1GWh of projects using grid-forming technology, demonstrating its effectiveness at scale. It works equally well for AC-coupled storage or integrated with wind farms through our DC-coupled design.

This technology enables higher renewable penetration while creating new revenue opportunities through grid services. It represents a critical tool for the energy transition, helping balance growing shares of clean energy.