Cold climates are no obstacle for battery storage
Source：pv magazine
Cold climates no longer hinder modern battery storage, thanks to technological advances that allow systems to operate reliably even in the harshest conditions. China’s Poweroad has demonstrated this capability through a series of deployments in regions with extreme winter conditions.
The company’s innovation is driven by five dedicated R&D centers in China, where it develops proprietary battery management systems (BMS), energy management systems (EMS), and cloud platforms.
Having completed over 500 C&I projects across Europe – including deployments in Belgium, Sweden, Finland, and Italy, Poweroad has cultivated significant market expertise.
“Beyond installation, we provide pre-sales consultation, technical training, and after-sales support to ensure our partners maximize the value of their investments,” said Joelle Li, Poweroad’s Marketing and Branding Director, in an interview with ESS News.
Showcasing its resilience in extreme environments, Poweroad has introduced Arctic-grade C&I energy storage solutions. A prime example is an 18.43 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) at China’s Karamay Oilfield, which operates reliably in temperatures as low as -40°C, thanks to an integrated liquid cooling and heating system. The system has logged over 8,760 hours of uninterrupted operation under harsh blizzard conditions, replacing more than 50% of the site’s original diesel generation.
Designed as a mobile plant, the BESS is fully relocatable. Once operations at the current oilfield conclude, the system will be transferred to the next site. “Each location typically has a use cycle of 1–2 years – underscoring the design’s flexibility and reusability,” Li said.
This technology is especially relevant for parts of Europe facing harsh winters, where energy resilience is critical. Poweroad’s patented thermal management ensures zero capacity loss below -30°C, instant ramp-up from standby during outages, and remote diagnostics that help minimize operational costs at remote sites.
“We are steadily expanding across Europe and stand ready to supply systems wherever they are needed,” Li said.
Commenting on the challenges in the BESS supply chain, Li said the rapid growth in renewables is driving soaring demand but comes with certain volatility. “Although we source battery cells from trusted suppliers like CATL, price fluctuations in raw materials impact costs. That’s why we maintain close supplier relationships and a resilient supply chain management system to ensure stability and timely delivery,” she said.
Addressing concerns about potential market overcapacity, Li noted that although the BESS market has experienced rapid growth in recent years, it has not yet reached a point of oversupply.
“Some mature markets may face short-term overcapacity, but global demand continues to surge as decarbonization accelerates. At Poweroad, we respond with flexible, high-quality systems tailored to each market’s unique needs, keeping us at the forefront of innovation,” Li said.