On February 2, Shenzhen ZH Energy Storage Technology Co., Ltd. (ZH Energy) and the Guangdong National Research Institute of New-Type Energy Storage (National Innovation Center) held a technical exchange meeting at the National Energy Storage Building in Guangzhou and officially inaugurated the Sulfur–Iron Flow Battery Industry Technology Center. Representatives attending the event included Li Yitao, Acting Co-President of the National Innovation Center, its flow battery technology team, as well as Xie Wei, Founder of ZH Energy, and Kang Zhiwei, General Manager.

During the meeting, both parties exchanged views on the latest developments in flow battery technologies, global and domestic long-duration energy storage (LDES) market trends, the technical advantages and future potential of sulfur–iron flow batteries, and cooperation models covering R&D, demonstration projects, and market deployment. The participants agreed that LDES is becoming a critical component of next-generation power systems, and that sulfur–iron flow batteries—offering high safety, low cost, and long service life—represent one of the most competitive solutions for large-scale commercialization. The joint establishment of the center will accelerate the transition of sulfur–iron systems from laboratory research to engineering and industrial application.

Following the exchange, the inauguration ceremony was held, with Dr. Xie Wei appointed as Director of the Technology Center. The center will focus on three core areas: sulfur–iron flow battery applications, non-fluorinated ion-exchange membrane development, and testing of key flow battery materials, building a full-chain innovation platform spanning R&D, testing, and deployment. Dr. Xie began his research on non-fluorinated ion-exchange membranes during his PhD studies in the United States in 2006, has over a decade of industry experience in flow batteries, and nearly 20 years of expertise in core battery materials development.

Relying on the national-level innovation platform capabilities of the National Innovation Center and the long-term technological advantages accumulated by ZH Energy in the iron-sulfur system, both parties will establish a joint innovation mechanism that integrates "scientific research + industry." This will provide crucial support for breaking through key core technologies and creating an independent and controllable new energy storage industrial system.

The unveiling of the Iron-Sulfur Flow Battery Industrial Technology Center is not only a new starting point for collaboration but also a strategic layout for the future. It focuses on long-duration energy storage scenarios ranging from megawatt to hundred-megawatt levels, promotes breakthroughs in domestically produced key materials and system engineering capabilities, supports the construction of new power system regulation and flexibility, and accelerates the maturation and large-scale development of China’s iron-sulfur flow battery industry chain.

Prior to this, ZH Energy had already collaborated with the National Innovation Center to advance the development of an intrinsically safe energy storage system based on non-fluorinated ion exchange membranes. This partnership has laid a solid foundation for technological innovation and joint efforts. Going forward, ZH Energy will continue to maintain close cooperation with the National Innovation Center, deepening collaboration in areas such as technological innovation, demonstration applications, and industrialization, jointly contributing to the high-quality development of China’s new energy storage industry.