Key takeaways from SNEC ES+ 2025 in Shanghai

The SNEC ES+ 11th International Energy Storage and Battery Technology Exhibition, held from 10 to 12 October 2025 at the Shanghai New International Expo Center, concluded with a scale notably below expectations. Contrary to the organizer’s earlier plans for six halls covering 60,000 square metres, only three partially filled halls were opened, with total exhibition space falling short of 30,000 square metres. The absence of top-tier players such as CATL, BYD, Sungrow and HiTHIUM contributed to a quieter atmosphere. Nevertheless, companies like JD Energy and RCT Power demonstrated that innovation in high-integration, high-safety storage systems remains the industry’s primary thrust.

Shrinking scale reveals exhibitor fatigue amid crowded event calendars

“The halls are visibly emptier than last year, even along the main aisles,” said a representative from a storage system supplier that has exhibited for three consecutive years. He estimated that professional visitor traffic was down by around 30 per cent compared to 2024, while the overall number of exhibitors had dropped by over 40 per cent.

Frequent domestic trade shows have driven mounting fatigue within the industry. Several exhibitors noted that overlapping timelines had dramatically increased costs. In August alone, Shanghai hosted the EESA Expo, followed shortly by SNEC, while further exhibitions in Australia, the UK and Spain are scheduled between October and November. “A standard exhibition booth, including setup, logistics and travel, costs at least CNY 500,000 per event. For small and medium-sized companies, continuous participation is financially unsustainable,” said a marketing director of a participating firm.

Industry analysts argue that after two years of rapid expansion, China’s storage sector has entered a period of correction in 2025, prompting companies to focus on high-impact markets. “Global platforms such as Intersolar in Germany and RE+ in the United States are now seen as better avenues for securing overseas orders,” said Zhang Lei, a researcher at the China Energy Storage Alliance.

Product innovation shifts competition towards safety, integration and efficiency

Despite muted attendance, product innovation stood out as a defining theme. Exhibitors increasingly focused on compact form factors, modularity, full-scenario adaptability and enhanced system safety, with commercial and industrial (C&I) storage emerging as the most competitive segment.

JD Energy’s eBlock series drew some of the highest engagement. Its modular “Energy Engine” platform promises reduced footprint and system efficiency above industry norms, while being compatible with peak shaving, virtual power plants and emergency backup. An integrated PV-storage “cube” system, combining inverters and battery interface modules, has already received batch orders in Southeast Asia and Africa, according to company staff.

Differentiation in safety architecture has also become a key competitive edge. RCT Power’s LABEL liquid-cooling series adopts a layered protection system featuring cell-level cut-off mechanisms, real-time temperature monitoring and high-precision fire suppression that allows for early hazard mitigation.

Changfeng Green Energy showcased a portfolio including commercial storage cabinets equipped with high-capacity cells, liquid cooling systems capable of maintaining narrow temperature variance, and designs suitable for high-frequency usage scenarios. The company claims these units deliver longer lifespans, improved energy density and enhanced economic benefits through reduced levelised cost of electricity (LCOE).

StarCharge introduced its eBox-418C C&I storage system, featuring a cabinet built from ultra-high-performance concrete, replacing traditional steel structures. The concrete’s thermal inertia helps stabilize internal temperature, extending cycling life to levels above industry averages. The company said the design is particularly suited to high-risk operational environments such as mines and ports and confirmed upcoming deployment in a major domestic port project following national standard certification.

Segment diversification: from households to utility scale

Beyond C&I systems, exhibitors targeted both residential and large-scale project demand, tailoring designs to geographic and infrastructure constraints.

SolaX presented solutions designed around three major installation scenarios. Its integrated PV-storage systems and off-grid inverters cater to markets in Asia and Africa where grid stability is low, securing several preliminary deals at the show. For utility-scale projects, its high-power inverters and liquid-cooled storage solutions support gigawatt-class deployment.

FoxESS unveiled a full-spectrum portfolio ranging from household to C&I applications, including inverters, storage cabinets, heat pumps and charging stations. Its latest inverter platform supports extended backup duration, rapid grid transition, high-altitude performance and compatibility with diesel generators and DC chargers. The company’s modular battery system, configurable to higher storage capacity, is already being supplied in volume to European residential markets and Southeast Asian industrial projects.

Zero-carbon solutions are also emerging as a market differentiator. SigEnergy promoted its integrated “zero-carbon park” and “zero-carbon home” concepts, designed to support flexible expansion from PV-only to PV-plus-storage configurations. Meanwhile, Changfeng Green Energy introduced an energy recovery storage system for elevators, enabling conversion of potential energy during operation into stored electrical power, reportedly lowering electricity costs by up to 30 per cent.

Rethinking the trade show model as the market shifts

The cooling scale of the event has prompted reflection on the trade show ecosystem. Multiple executives called for coordination among major exhibition organizers to avoid overlapping and differentiating positioning. “We need clearer segmentation—some events focused on technology innovation, others on deal-making—so exhibitors can invest their resources more strategically,” said a branding executive from a participating firm.

Yet the show also reaffirmed the industry’s developmental trajectory. According to data from the China Energy Storage Alliance (CNESA), China’s C&I storage installations rose 58 per cent year-on-year in the first half of 2025, with liquid-cooling penetration climbing from 22 per cent to 35 per cent. Demand is increasingly concentrated around high-safety, long-cycle-life solutions.

“Exhibition scale is only the surface. Ultimately, competitiveness lies in product innovation and scenario adaptability,” Zhang noted. As competition intensifies, companies with core technological advantages and application-oriented system design are expected to break out faster.