Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the rapid development of energy storage policies across China, with approximately 45 direct subsidy policies implemented this year, indicating a shift towards supporting operational performance rather than just installed capacity [2][4]. Policy Distribution - Zhejiang Province has emerged as the most active region with 13 subsidy policies, while Guangdong follows closely with significant single-project subsidies, including up to 50 million yuan for specific projects [4]. - The highest subsidy rate is found in Ningbo's virtual power plant application at 2 yuan/kWh, while Chongqing offers 0.5 yuan/kWh for user-side subsidies [7]. Duration of Subsidies - More than half of the subsidy policies currently in the application phase have a validity period of three years, with some extending up to ten years [8]. Subsidy Methods - Discharge and response subsidies, each with 11 policies, dominate the landscape, indicating a trend towards these methods as the mainstream approach by 2025, surpassing capacity and installation subsidies [10]. - The rationale behind this choice is the precision and efficiency of discharge and response subsidies, which directly link funding to actual discharge activities, ensuring resources are allocated to active projects that contribute to grid regulation [13]. Market Integration - This model encourages project owners to explore diverse market profit scenarios, such as peak-valley arbitrage and demand response, thereby promoting deeper integration of energy storage into the power system ecosystem [14]. - As "mandatory capacity allocation" gradually fades, discharge and response subsidies play a crucial role in avoiding resource misallocation and guiding the industry towards genuine market value-driven growth, while also stimulating the development of the electricity spot trading market [14].