Xiamen Energy Storage Validation Research Institute (ESVL)

Its primary activities focus on full-system and station-level validation of energy storage technologies under real-world grid conditions, extreme climates, high-voltage scenarios, and combustion risks. The facility features five core laboratories: a station-level grid integration lab with a 35 kV/100 MVA simulator capable of testing over 10 large containers simultaneously and simulating 1,000-node topologies; high-voltage safety testing from 1 kV to 500 kV; a thermal safety and combustion lab with 100,000 cubic meters of space and 20 MW calorimeter for multi-container explosion tests; environmental reliability testing; and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing for full containers under operational conditions.

Located on a 10-hectare (150 mu) site in Xiamen's Torch High-Tech Zone, the institute was established with an investment of approximately RMB 3 billion (about $440 million) and commenced operations on May 28, 2026. It is jointly owned and operated by CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited) and the Xiamen Municipal People's Government, positioning it as shared infrastructure open to the global energy storage industry.

ESVL collaborates with certification bodies such as TÜV SÜD, TÜV Rheinland, CGC, and CSA to deliver independent, traceable data supporting regulators, insurers, financiers, and developers. By advancing pre-deployment validation to power-plant standards, it addresses industry challenges like underperformance and grid connection delays, enhancing the bankability of storage assets worldwide.