First Capital Securities·2025-10-10 11:54Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Recommended," indicating a positive outlook for the industry fundamentals and an expectation that the industry index will outperform the benchmark index [22]. Core Insights - The rapid increase in the proportion of renewable energy generation has transformed energy storage from an "optional" to a "mandatory" component. For instance, in the EU, renewable energy accounted for 28.5% of the power consumption structure in 2024, leading to issues such as price volatility and curtailment of wind and solar energy [3][4]. - The structural demand for energy storage has been established, and its economic viability is accelerating. The first half of the year saw numerous domestic energy storage-related listed companies announcing expansion and investment plans, indicating a sustained upward trend in the industry's prosperity [19] [3]. Summary by Sections 1. Importance of Energy Storage in Renewable Energy - The increasing integration of renewable energy sources like wind and solar into the grid has led to significant challenges, including price fluctuations and curtailment issues. Energy storage is essential for providing stability and flexibility in the power system [4][6]. - In the EU, it is estimated that an additional 56GW of energy storage by 2030 could reduce curtailment by approximately 30TWh per year and lower annual system costs by €8 billion, while also reducing CO2 emissions by about 19 million tons [6][3]. 2. Commercialization of Energy Storage in China - The National Energy Administration's recent policies have shifted China's energy generation model towards market-oriented pricing, moving away from fixed prices and subsidies [13]. - Different regions in China are developing unique energy storage market mechanisms. For example, Shandong has established a spot market for energy storage, while Guangdong relies on diverse revenue streams [14][15]. 3. Expansion Plans of Energy Storage Companies - In the first half of the year, several domestic energy storage companies announced expansion and investment plans, including major players like CATL and EVE Energy, which are ramping up production capacities significantly [16][19]. - The overall trend indicates a parallel development of manufacturing expansion, project implementation, and capital investment, with a focus on both domestic and international markets [19][18]. 4. Positive Outlook for the Energy Storage Industry - The energy storage industry is expected to maintain an upward trajectory due to the established structural demand and the accelerating economic viability of storage solutions. The combination of declining equipment prices and increased revenue opportunities is enhancing project returns [19][3].