Recently, the first key laboratory for underground space energy storage in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region was officially inaugurated and put under construction at Shendong Coal. The launch marked an important step in exploring new energy storage technologies based on mine underground spaces and supporting the energy transition.
The laboratory was approved by the Department of Science and Technology of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and built under the leadership of CHN Energy, in collaboration with four universities and research institutes including the Inner Mongolia Research Institute of China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing) and Chongqing University, fully leveraging the mine resources and engineering practice scenarios of the Shendong mining area.
As a core subsidiary of China Shenhua, Shendong boasts a strong research foundation and solid platform advantages. Focusing on three key fields covering gravity energy storage, compressed air energy storage and pumped storage, the laboratory will tackle five core technologies, including intelligent detection of underground spaces, accurate site selection assessment for energy storage, airtightness control and safety monitoring, multi-source data fusion monitoring, and development of multi-energy complementary systems. These efforts aim to break through technical bottlenecks in energy storage for the large-scale grid connection of new energy.
As an important platform for CHN Energy to implement national strategies and boost local development, the laboratory plans to invest 10 million yuan annually over the next five years to build a 7,000-square-meter innovation platform, complete five to ten national research projects, and commercialize three core technologies, thereby establishing a mature and complete technical system for underground space energy storage. Meanwhile, the laboratory will strive to build a research hub that is first-class in China and influential internationally, and foster a professionalenergy storage talent team. Through technological innovation, it will consolidate the foundation for the development of new energy storage during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, support the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in building an important national energy and strategic resource base, and promote the green and low-carbon energy transition.
