An event marking the commencement of operations for the Envision AESC Yichang Gigafactory's 40GWh smart lithium battery project, along with the rollout of its 790Ah high-capacity energy storage cells, was held on the 15th in Yichang City, Hubei Province. This signifies a major step forward in Yichang's efforts to establish itself as a leading advanced manufacturing base for the integrated development of China's complete energy storage battery industry chain.
Yichang, home to the Three Gorges Dam and the Gezhouba Water Control Project, is often referred to as the "World Capital of Hydropower." In recent years, leveraging its abundant clean energy resources, the city has vigorously promoted the integrated development of wind, solar, hydro, and energy storage, forming a comprehensive industrial ecosystem spanning the entire lifecycle from "mining—materials—cells—storage—recycling."
The Yichang Gigafactory project represents the nation's first 100GWh-level base covering the entire energy storage industry chain. The first phase of the project is designed for an annual capacity of 40GWh, encompassing the full spectrum of lithium battery technologies from electrodes and cells to battery packs.
The newly launched 790Ah cell is currently the industry's largest prismatic wound energy storage cell. Each cell boasts a rated energy exceeding 2.5 kWh, a volumetric energy density surpassing 440 Wh/L, and a cycle life of over 12,000 cycles. With a DC energy conversion efficiency of no less than 96.0%, it can achieve an ultra-long calendar life of at least 30 years under typical daily charge-discharge operating conditions.
It is reported that the latest 12.5MWh AI energy storage system equipped with these 790Ah cells can increase the internal rate of return (IRR) of an energy storage station over its entire lifecycle by 4% to 8%. Furthermore, the cell has passed numerous safety tests including nail penetration, overcharge, thermal runaway, and drop tests, and has obtained multiple national standard certifications and international certifications, meeting the market access requirements for over 20 countries and regions globally.
"The mass production and launch of the 790Ah energy storage cell in Yichang marks a significant milestone in Envision AESC's global capacity layout," stated Zhao Xiuhang, head of the Envision AESC Yichang base. To date, Envision AESC has established 14 major manufacturing bases worldwide, with cumulative deliveries of energy storage cells exceeding 100GWh and involvement in over 400 global energy storage projects.
Zhao Weijun, President of Envision AESC China, expressed that this production commencement serves as a new starting point. The company will accelerate capacity ramp-up and order fulfillment while persistently driving technological innovation and industrial upgrading, aiming to contribute more Chinese technology, manufacturing, and solutions to the global energy transition.