Zonergy’s Na+ Energy Storage Powers Plateau Communities in Xizang

In November, the temperature in Zhongba County, Shigatse, Xizang, had already plunged to -18°C.

Zhao Peng, a project manager at Zonergy, monitored real‑time charge and discharge data on his laptop. “The stable rise in the data shows that herders are gradually moving down from the mountains and settling into new residential areas here. Their daily lives are getting richer. Power consumption is normal, and the system is running smoothly. The villagers will have a warm winter,” he said.

The “project” he referred to is an off-grid microgrid pilot project built by Zonergy Corporation in Qonggor Township, Zhongba County. In early June 2025, at an altitude of nearly 5,000 meters, the Zonergy team deployed photovoltaic generation together with sodium‑ion (Na+) energy storage for the first time to build a microgrid designed to meet the growing electricity needs of local farming and herding communities. Delivered at the end of June, the system is now entering its first true test: the harsh plateau winter.

Solar + Storage

A Microgrid that Upgrades Power Supply for Pastoral Communities

In Xizang’s high-altitude, severely cold regions, the main power grid still cannot achieve full coverage due to natural conditions, technical constraints, and high construction and maintenance costs. Remote villages and herder households mainly depend on photovoltaic microgrid systems, typically small home‑solar units that meet only basic needs.

As living standards improve, however, demand has surged for higher‑capacity electricity to power cooking, heating, entertainment, and small‑scale production equipment.

In response, the Zonergy team conducted field research and proposed customized solar-plus-storage off-grid microgrid solutions for Kangqiong Village and Dongma Villages, upgrading the power supply for more than 500 herders.

This project also marks the first deployment of Zonergy’s self-developed sodium‑ion energy storage system in an extremely cold environment—nearly 5,000 meters above sea level with winter temperatures dropping to –20°C—putting it to the test against extreme natural conditions.

Zonergy’s sodium battery energy storage cabinet in Kangqiong Village

Three Core Technologies

Enabling Sodium‑ion Batteries to Perform Reliably on the Plateau

Extremely cold temperatures pose serious challenges to battery cells, often preventing them from operating normally. Su Heng, Dean of the Zonergy Sodium Battery Research Institute, explained: “In temperatures tens of degrees below zero, the electrolyte inside ordinary batteries can ‘freeze’ like motor oil, stopping the battery from releasing power.” Low air pressure at high altitudes can also cause batteries to swell – like human altitude sickness – leading to safety risks.

To overcome these challenges, Zonergy’s R&D team developed three key technologies:

First, a proprietary low‑temperature electrolyte that remains fluid at –60°C—essentially giving the battery “self‑heating insulation.” With this, the battery can still deliver nearly 90% of its capacity at –40°C.

Second, negative pressure laser welding technology, which presets an optimal low-pressure environment inside the cell during manufacturing, effectively balances internal and external pressure and prevents “altitude sickness.”

Finally, conductive network repair technology that maintains robust ion/electron pathways throughout cycling stability and extends battery life. The technology also continually repairs internal degradation, enabling the system to operate stably for more than 15 years.

Zonergy’s Sodium Battery Research Institute in Chengdu

Na+ Energy Storage

Bringing Reliable Clean Power to Xizangan Herders

Since commissioning, Zhao Peng has continuously monitored and evaluated system performance through an intelligent management platform. “Kangqiong Village uses sodium-ion storage, while Dongma Village uses lithium-ion storage. So far, the sodium-ion storage is indeed performing better across all metrics—more stable and beyond expectations,” he said.

Sodium-ion batteries feature a wide operating temperature range, excellent rate performance, high safety, abundant resources, and superior performance in low-temperature environments compared to lithium-ion batteries. They are emerging as a key direction in energy storage innovation – particularly for large-scale storage, low-temperature applications, and applications requiring exceptionally high safety—alongside vehicle start‑stop technologies.

Since launching sodium‑ion R&D in 2021, Zonergy has filed 69 patents related to cathode/anode materials, cell R&D, and manufacturing processes, with 29 patents already granted. The company’s sodium-ion batteries deliver a practical capacity of 180Ah and are used in low-speed two-wheelers, automotive start-stop systems, and plateau energy storage projects. The successful deployment in Shigatse demonstrates the system’s ability to operate stably under extreme environmental conditions.

▲Zonergy’s sodium-ion battery product series

With its forward-looking strategy, accumulated technical expertise, and more than a decade of experience building microgrids across Sichuan’s remote regions, Zonergy is confident in promoting the large-scale application of sodium-ion storage in high‑altitude and high‑cold environments.

Looking ahead, guided by its vision of “Greener energy, better future” the company will continue advancing technological innovation, product development, and O&M capabilities—bringing Na+ storage across the vast plateau, allowing it to take root through wind and snow, and lighting the homes of herding families.