In September, the Guangzhou Zhuhai Natural Gas Power Plant Black Start (including FCB) and Frequency Regulation Energy Storage Project (the “Zhanneng Power Plant”), invested and developed by Guangzhou Energy Storage Group Co., Ltd., successfully completed a full-path black start test of Unit 2 under load.
Guangzhou Zhiguang Energy Storage Technology Co., Ltd. provided the project with a complete set of Cascaded High-Voltage Direct-Connected Energy Storage Systems and supporting services. As the first hybrid gas-fired power and energy storage frequency regulation project in Guangdong to integrate black start capability, the project provides robust support for strengthening grid interconnection in Guangzhou, optimizing the deployment of local power sources, and advancing the development of the new power system.
Zhanneng Power Plant is an important backbone power source serving Guangzhou and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, undertaking critical functions including regional power supply security and voltage support. Phase I is equipped with two 350 MW-class single-shaft gas-steam combined-cycle units and incorporates Zhiguang Energy Storage’s 24 MW/48 MWh Cascaded High-Voltage Direct-Connected Energy Storage System, comprising four 6 MW/12 MWh semi-solid-state battery subsystems and a 1 MW/10 min supercapacitor system.
High-Voltage Direct Connection for Higher Efficiency and Stronger Economics
The transformerless architecture achieves 99% conversion efficiency, while the cascaded topology eliminates circulating currents between battery clusters, improving battery utilization and enhancing the power plant’s lifecycle economics.
Millisecond-Level Response for Reliable Black Start
Supporting VSG-based multi-mode grid-forming control, the four systems operate in coordinated parallel operation and accurately respond to the starting surge loads of gas turbine units, providing critical support for a stable and successful black start.
Multi-Layer Protection for Long-Term Reliable Operation
High-reliability components are combined with multiple layers of fault protection. Deep integration of liquid cooling technology and the Battery Management System (BMS) ensures reliable operation over extended periods, even under demanding operating conditions.
Multi-Scenario Adaptability for Greater Overall Value
The system can be flexibly configured to match different power plant capacities and supports a wide range of applications, including frequency regulation, black start, and islanded operation, helping reduce both construction and operation and maintenance costs.
The project integrates three functions: routine frequency regulation, emergency black start, and FCB-based islanded support.
Under normal operating conditions, the energy storage system participates in grid frequency regulation ancillary services, leveraging its rapid response capability to effectively mitigate grid power fluctuations and improve power quality. In the event of a severe grid outage, the system serves as a starting power source to initiate the gas turbine generating units and support stable operation under extreme conditions. By leveraging the units’ FCB capability, the project enables sustained operation in an islanded grid configuration and supports the orderly restoration of local power supply, overcoming the slow response and high operation and maintenance costs associated with conventional black start solutions that rely on diesel generators.
The black start test simulated an extreme total loss of auxiliary power across the entire plant, replicating a large-scale blackout scenario. Powered by Zhiguang Energy Storage’s self-synchronized voltage-source control technology, the test successfully completed the entire sequence of energy-storage voltage establishment → auxiliary power restoration → gas turbine start-up → islanded operation → grid line energization.
During the FCB islanded-operation stability test, the gas turbine maintained stable operation with its own auxiliary power supply in island mode for more than 30 minutes, while generator speed, voltage, and frequency remained under stable control. The successful completion of the test marked the establishment of a fully closed-loop black start process.
Looking ahead, Zhiguang Energy Storage will continue to leverage its technological expertise in grid-forming energy storage and coordinated multi-source control, supporting enhanced power-grid security across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The company will further contribute replicable engineering solutions to strengthen the security, resilience, and flexibility of the new power system.
