Sou Hu Cai Jing·2026-02-25 18:04Core Insights - The investment landscape in the energy storage sector is shifting significantly, driven by the dual forces of energy transition and the explosion of AI computing power. This has led to a fundamental change in the investment logic of the energy storage industry [1][4][16]. Group 1: Institutional Holdings - Major foreign institutions such as Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley have recently entered the top shareholder lists of several companies, indicating a strong collective interest in the energy storage sector [2][8]. - Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley have made significant new investments in companies like Kosen Technology and Highlan, reflecting a trend of foreign capital focusing on key players in the energy storage supply chain [2][8]. Group 2: Policy Changes - A milestone policy was introduced in January 2026, integrating new energy storage into the capacity pricing system, allowing independent storage stations to earn fixed capacity fees, thus transforming the business model of energy storage [4][16]. - This policy change positions energy storage as an independent profit-generating entity rather than merely a cost component associated with renewable energy [4][16]. Group 3: Market Demand - The demand for energy storage is being propelled by the increasing electricity consumption of global data centers, particularly those driven by AI, which is expected to reach 800-1100 TWh by 2026, a significant increase from 2022 [5][6]. - The energy storage industry is projected to see a 62% year-on-year growth in new installations globally, with China expected to reach 250 GWh in new installations, marking a 67% growth [6][16]. Group 4: Company Profiles - Kosen Technology is recognized for its leading solid-state battery packaging technology, which significantly reduces thermal runaway risks and is expected to capture a substantial share of the solid-state battery packaging market [8][12]. - Highlan is a key supplier in the liquid cooling temperature control sector for energy storage, with a market share of approximately 15%, and is positioned to benefit from the shift towards liquid cooling technologies in AI data centers [10][12]. - Hande Electric is involved in both pumped storage and electrochemical energy storage, providing critical components for energy transmission and battery materials [10][12]. - Zhongdian Xinlong focuses on energy storage system integration and liquid cooling solutions, with a strong emphasis on long-duration energy storage technologies [12][16]. - Leshan Electric operates energy storage assets directly, showcasing a stable business model that encompasses the entire lifecycle from investment to operation [12][16]. - Huazi Technology specializes in energy storage system integration and core equipment development, covering various market segments [12][16]. - Changyang Technology is a key supplier of membrane materials for energy storage and power batteries, with a focus on solid-state battery materials [14][16]. - Yangdian Technology provides specialized transformers and energy conversion equipment for energy storage systems, ensuring stable demand regardless of technological changes [14][16]. Group 5: Industry Trends - The energy storage sector is rapidly evolving, with large-capacity battery cells becoming mainstream and the average discharge duration of storage systems increasing from 2.3 hours to 2.58 hours by the end of 2025 [16]. - Liquid cooling technology is replacing traditional air cooling methods, indicating a shift towards more efficient thermal management solutions in energy storage systems [16].