China storage and renewables: the magic recipe? - with Biqing Yang, Ember

China storage and renewables: the magic recipe? - with Biqing Yang, Ember

Author: Beijing Energy Network August 9, 2026 Duration: 23:38

China is the world's leading player in the energy storage field. Not only does China manufacture lots of EVs and EV batteries, but in 2025 it deployed over 60 GW of new battery energy storage on the grid, way more than any other country. The 15th Five-Year Plan sets a target of having 300 GW on the grid by 2030, up from 160 GW now. The Plan also includes explicit targets for 'firm' wind and solar. Meanwhile, dozens of Chinese companies are working on sodium-ion batteries and battery technology in China is improving all the time.

This July, Ember published a short report on China's energy storage situation, pointing out that the storage market is being helped by new rules on capacity payments for storage as well as market reforms that are enabling revenue stacking (that means, combining revenue from different services storage can provide). But even though storage utilization is up strongly in the past year, storage is still not operated very optimally. In today's podcast, we're going to discuss why – and why it matters for the low-carbon energy transition.

Our guests today is the report's author, Biqing Yang.

Biqing Yang is an energy analyst at Ember, specialising in China's energy transition. She has previously worked with the International Energy Agency (IEA), the British Embassy in Beijing, and Conservation International, leading international initiatives in energy policy, climate change, and environmental conservation. She holds a Master of Public Affairs from Sciences Po Paris and an MSc in Environmental Technology from Imperial College London.

For further reading:

Report link: Biqing Yang, 'From scale to system: navigating the next phase of China's battery storage', Ember, 16 July 2026, at https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/from-scale-to-system-navigating-the-next-phase-of-chinas-battery-storage/.   

 


Produced by the Beijing Energy Network, Environment China is a bilingual podcast that delves into the complex and vital stories shaping China's ecological landscape. Rather than offering broad pronouncements, it focuses on grounded conversations with the people on the front lines: the advocates campaigning for change, the entrepreneurs building sustainable solutions, and the researchers providing crucial data. Each episode explores the intersection of society, culture, and science, revealing how environmental policy and daily life are intertwined. You'll hear specific discussions about conservation efforts, green technology, urban design, and community initiatives, all framed within the unique context of modern China. This podcast provides a necessary platform for these nuanced voices, translating complex issues into accessible dialogue. It’s an essential listen for anyone seeking to move beyond headlines and understand the real-world work being done to address environmental challenges. By listening to Environment China, you gain insight into the multifaceted movement towards sustainability, one conversation at a time.
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