能源转型叠加AI驱动，周期反转步入繁荣期

Core Viewpoint - The global energy storage industry is entering a new growth cycle, with an expected addition of 438 GWh of new installations by 2026, representing a 62% year-on-year increase. The growth drivers have shifted from solely renewable energy consumption to a combination of "AI computing infrastructure, energy transition needs, and grid congestion" [1][2]. Group 1: Global Market Insights - The global energy storage market is expected to see significant improvements in supply-demand dynamics, transitioning from a destocking phase to a replenishment boom, with some segments of the supply chain experiencing simultaneous increases in volume and price [2]. - In China, the expected installation for 2026 is 250 GWh, a 67% increase year-on-year, with policies shifting from "strong allocation" to "profitability" [2]. - In the United States, the anticipated installation for 2026 is 70 GWh, a 35% increase year-on-year, driven by AI-related demand [2]. - In Europe, the expected installation for 2026 is 51 GWh, a 55% increase year-on-year, with long-term contracts locking in gigawatt-level demand [2]. - Emerging markets are projected to install 67 GWh in 2026, a 91% increase year-on-year, with significant growth in Australia, the Middle East, and Chile [2]. Group 2: Technological and Structural Changes - Energy storage is evolving from merely providing backup power to actively supplying electricity, addressing voltage fluctuations, and becoming a strategic infrastructure for AI data centers [3]. - The mismatch between rapid renewable energy generation and slow grid development is intensifying, making energy storage the only immediate solution to grid congestion [3]. - The U.S. is tightening regulations on supply chains, which will favor companies with localized production capabilities, enhancing their pricing power [3]. Group 3: Lithium Battery Supply and Demand - The lithium battery supply is expected to recover in 2026 after a two-year destocking phase, driven by sustained high demand from AI and energy storage, while supply growth slows due to reduced capital expenditures [3]. - The industry is shifting from price wars to collaborative pricing strategies, leading to a recovery in prices and a redistribution of profits towards upstream materials with high barriers to entry [3]. Group 4: Emerging Technologies - The trend towards solid-state batteries is becoming clearer, with expectations for small-scale production by 2026 and advancements in various battery technologies [4]. Group 5: Investment Recommendations - Investment focus should be on midstream materials experiencing supply-demand reversals, particularly lithium fluoride, lithium carbonate, separators, and electrolyte additives [5]. - Companies with localized manufacturing capabilities and strong ESG frameworks, such as CATL and Sungrow, are recommended for their ability to capture high-profit markets while mitigating tariff risks [5]. - Firms that can integrate solar storage and microgrid solutions into overseas data center supply chains, such as Sungrow and Aters, are also recommended [5]. - Attention should be given to core materials and equipment for solid-state batteries, including lithium anodes and dry-process technologies [5].