GUOTAI HAITONG SECURITIES·2026-02-12 08:55Investment Rating - The report assigns an "Overweight" rating for the industry [4]. Core Insights - The development of AIDC (Artificial Intelligence Data Centers) is expected to exacerbate the electricity shortage in the U.S., putting significant pressure on the power grid. The report anticipates a substantial increase in energy storage demand due to AIDC, recommending companies such as Haibo Shichuang, Sungrow Power Supply, Canadian Solar, and Xidian New Energy [4][7]. - In 2023, U.S. data centers consumed 176 TWh, accounting for 4.4% of total electricity consumption. The IEA projects that by 2028, this consumption will rise to between 325-580 TWh, representing a CAGR of 26.9% over five years, increasing its share of total U.S. electricity demand to 6.7%-12% [7][26]. - The report highlights the aging U.S. power grid, with approximately 70% of transformers in "overdue service" condition, leading to long queue times for data center grid connections, averaging 1-3 years, and up to 7 years in Northern Virginia [7][38]. Summary by Sections 1. Investment Recommendations - The report emphasizes that the growth of AIDC is driving an electricity gap, increasing pressure on the U.S. power grid. The average queue time for data centers to connect to the grid is 1-3 years, with some areas experiencing delays of up to 7 years [7][10]. - AIDC's energy storage is seen as a short-term solution for peak shaving and frequency regulation, with a projected configuration ratio of 20% and a duration of 4 hours [7][46]. 2. AIDC's Impact on Electricity Demand - The report states that U.S. electricity sales are expected to reach 3975 TWh in 2024, with a year-on-year growth of 2.61%, driven by demand from commercial and industrial sectors, including data centers [10]. - The aging power grid and long queue times for data center connections are significant challenges, with many transformers exceeding their expected lifespan [38]. 3. Future of Energy Storage in AIDC - The report predicts that energy storage will become a mainstream self-supply form for data centers, with configurations expected to increase significantly as the demand for electricity rises [7][61]. - The projected demand for data center energy storage from 2026 to 2030 is expected to grow from 10.1 GWh to 165.7 GWh, with a CAGR of 101% [61]. 4. Key Companies in the Industry - Sungrow Power Supply: Recognized as a global leader in solar storage, with a significant market share in the U.S. and a projected revenue growth from 1.17 billion to 24.96 billion from 2020 to 2024 [63]. - Haibo Shichuang: A leading domestic energy storage system provider expanding into overseas markets, with successful project collaborations in the U.S. [67].