On September 7, 2025, the University of Science and Technology of China (hereinafter referred to as USTC), Guoneng Anhui Company of China Energy (hereinafter referred to as Guoneng Anhui), and the Beijing Low-Carbon Clean Energy Research Institute (hereinafter referred to as LCEI) jointly held an industry-university-research (“IUR”) technology exchange meeting in Suzhou. The event focused on the research, development, and application of molten salt thermal storage technology and prospects for future cooperation. The meeting was chaired by Cui Shuxing, Director of the Organization (Human Resources) Department of Guoneng Anhui. Attendees included Li Liangbin, Secretary of the Party Committee of the School of Nuclear Science and Technology at USTC; Wang Honggang, Director of the Energy Storage Technology Center at LCEI; Wu Dewei, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of Suzhou Company; as well as experts, scholars, and engineering and technical staff from the three parties.
The meeting introduced the background, R&D process, system design, construction, and implementation outcomes of the Suzhou Molten Salt Thermal Storage Project, providing a comprehensive summary of the project’s full-cycle experience from construction and phased commissioning to system startup and trial operation. Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on key issues such as the safety and cost-effectiveness of molten salt thermal storage systems. As the largest “coal power + molten salt” energy storage project in China, the Suzhou project has successfully passed the 168-hour trial operation with high standards and has been officially put into operation.
Looking ahead, the project will focus on advancing data system development, further deepening research on the integration of molten salt thermal storage with coal-fired units, and enhancing the units’ peak-shaving, frequency regulation, and heating capabilities to help address the challenges of combined heat and power as well as renewable energy integration. In addition, the three parties unanimously agreed to leverage this demonstration project as an important test base for in-depth research and technology transfer in molten salt thermal storage, accelerate the development of pilot and demonstration platforms, and prioritize the application of advanced new technologies and achievements in the Suzhou project.
USTC, LCEI, and Guoneng Anhui stated that they will take this collaboration on molten salt thermal storage technology as an opportunity to further deepen synergistic innovation in scientific and technological research and development. By leveraging USTC’s strengths in fundamental research, LCEI’s capabilities in pilot-scale incubation, and Guoneng Anhui’s advantages in scenario-based applications, the three parties aim to build stronger synergy and jointly contribute wisdom and strength to China’s green, low-carbon energy transition and high-quality development.
