Executive Summary

LONGi Solar, a China-based solar technology manufacturer with operations across global renewable energy markets, has signed an agreement with RWE to supply a utility-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) for a photovoltaic and storage project in Italy. The project will include approximately 300 MWh of energy storage capacity and expands LONGi's activities in the European energy storage market.

The project will use LONGi's LONGiBank 2.0 6.25 MWh liquid-cooled lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery storage system. The containerized system provides 6,251 kWh of storage capacity in a 20-foot enclosure and is designed for large-scale grid-connected renewable energy applications. It will operate in a 4-hour configuration to support peak shaving, renewable energy integration and ancillary grid services in Italy.

According to LONGi, the storage system incorporates several safety features, including a multi-level fuse architecture, AI-based thermal runaway prediction and temperature management. The system also includes health diagnostics to support operations and maintenance, battery service life and storage system performance.

The agreement also involves the company's LONGi ONE strategy, which combines photovoltaic generation, battery storage and software within an integrated platform. The approach brings hardware and software from a single supplier to improve coordination between system components and reduce operational complexity associated with multi-vendor renewable energy projects.

LONGi stated that the architecture combines PV systems, battery storage and power conversion systems under a common control platform. The company said the design supports communication between system components, operational efficiency and lifecycle management through a single service provider.

Italy is increasing battery storage deployment as renewable generation expands under its National Integrated Plan for Energy and Climate (PNIEC). Large-scale storage can help balance variable solar generation, support grid stability and enable stored renewable electricity to be dispatched when required.

As part of its European expansion strategy, LONGi also announced plans to establish 15 local Centers of Excellence by the end of 2028. These facilities will provide engineering support, commissioning services, spare parts and technical assistance across major European markets building on the company's existing service hub in Madrid.

The agreement with RWE expands LONGi's participation in the European utility-scale energy storage market and supports the deployment of integrated solar-plus-storage projects in Italy.