Hubei-Made "Super Power Banks" Power Up Bulgaria

 

 

Image:204 battery prefabricated cabins set off for Europe on October 24. (Photographer: Jin Xiaoyan, Correspondent for Hubei Daily)

 

 

Hubei Daily - By Multimedia Reporters He Fan & Zheng Lan

Correspondents: Yuan Ping, Jin Xiaoyan, and Zhang Menglu

On October 24, a shipment of 204 standardized 20-foot battery prefabricated cabins - each bearing the "CORNEX" logo and rated at 5MWh - were lined up in orderly rows before commencing their journey from the CORNEX Yichang New Energy Manufacturing Base in Longquan Town, Yiling District of Yichang City. The consignment is now en route to Bulgaria following a long-distance maritime voyage.

With a total capacity of 1,020 MWh, these “super power banks” can supply the basic daily electricity consumption for approximately 100,000 European households. They are expected to provide critical reinforcement to the regional backbone energy storage infrastructure. Bulgarian clients expressed strong satisfaction, telling Ke Yumiao, Cornex New Energy's project representative in Bulgaria, “The products are perfectly adapted to Bulgaria’s renewable energy scenario. We have full confidence in Chinese technology.”

Super Order Delivered in Four Months

The "super power banks" comprise 204 standard 5MWh battery prefabricated cabins, each weighing 42 tons and housing 4,992 individual battery cells. "From order confirmation in late June to delivery by late October, the entire process took just four months!" Ke Yumiao, based in Bulgaria, told Hubei Daily in a remote interview. This timely delivery underscores both the capability and reliability of Chinese manufacturing.

As one of Europe's most proactive nations in advancing diversified energy transition, Bulgaria has significantly accelerated its new energy storage infrastructure development in recent years. This project is part of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Bulgaria's tender initiative, namely the "National Renewable Energy Storage Infrastructure" (RESTORE), designed to boost the share of wind and solar power in the country’s energy structure and enhance the stability of the national grid.

"Upon commissioning, the project will essentially provide the region with a massive 'green power bank'," said Lei Linwu, European Regional General Manager of Cornex New Energy's Overseas Business Division. "It will not only supply residents with more stable and cost-effective electricity but also help cut local carbon dioxide emissions by over 90,000 tons each year, contributing to clearer skies and acting as a new engine for regional green economic growth."

The star product being shipped overseas isthe "314Ah battery cell paired with a 5MWh energy storage container", the premier solution of Cornex New Energy. Once the order was received, the Yichang plant of Cornex New Energy promptly switched to "project execution mode". "By optimizing shift arrangements and incorporating smart detection systems, we reduced the production cycle by 15 percent without sacrificing quality, enabling the on-time completion and delivery of all 204 units," explained Jiao Linsen, Deputy General Manager of the Cornex New Energy Yichang plant.

Why Bulgaria Chose Manufacturing from Afar

The logistics chain - stretching from Yichang to a Jiangsu seaport, across the Indian Ocean and the Black Sea before reaching Bulgaria - is undeniably long. So, why did a European energy venture turn to Chinese manufacturing, despite the distance? "In fact, Cornex had been working to position itself as a potential supplier to this energy storage project since last year," explained Ke Yumiao. Given that Bulgaria’s energy storage initiative ranks among the largest of its kind in Europe, it naturally attracted competitive bids from suppliers around the world.

Although Cornex’s proposal was not the lowest-priced, the company ultimately stood out among international competitors and secured the endorsement of the project’s EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) contractor. A critical factor, as Ke pointed out, was the "non-negotiable requirement" of technological independence for suppliers. This means that every component and process of the super power banks from cell manufacturing to battery management and control systemsis developed and produced entirely within Cornex’s Yichang facility. Such end-to-end control over the entire production chain ensures reliable, full-lifecycle service support for the project.

When initially promoting the Product specifications, including a cycle life of over 12,000 charges, 40 percent higher energy density than conventional alternatives, and 32 percent less space required, Cornex faced doubts from the Bulgarian client. In 2024, Bulgaria requested product samples from Cornex for third-party validation. Lab results demonstrated that not only did the product meet all performance benchmarks, but it also sustained high operational efficiency under rapidly changing high- and low-temperature conditions.

Yang Yanjun, head of the container workshop, presented anon-site test report densely populated with certification logos, as a tangible proof of the product’s proven reliability. “We’ve cleared 62 rigorous safety tests and obtained key global certifications such as UL and IEC, fully aligning with the client's expectations,” Yang affirmed.

Hubei Smart Manufacturing Makes Global Waves

Amid the global push for energy transition and dual-carbon goals, new energy batteries have moved to the forefront as a pivotal technological driver, attracting concentrated attention from the worldwide energy sector.

Behind each compact battery module lies a vast and sophisticated industrial chain, spanning advanced materials, precision manufacturing, system integration, and end-of-life recycling. For Cornex, what is sailing overseas is more than just battery hardware; it is the proven success of integrated intelligent manufacturing.

Each battery energy storage prefabricated cabin contains close to 5,000 individual battery cells. In a large-scale energy storageproject, hundreds of thousands of cells may operate concurrently. Given variables such as temperature and humidity, the failure or short-circuit of even a single cell could present serious operational risks. During a visit to CORNEX Yichang New Energy Manufacturing Base, we noted that every battery prefabricated cabin is accompanied by its own intelligent “butler” - a dedicated monitoring system. Through a visual interface, it tracks real-time cell voltage, current, and temperature, preventing potential hazards such as overcharge, over-discharge, short circuits, and thermal overload.

“This large-scale export underscores Cornex’s evolution from a battery cell supplier to a provider of end-to-end energy storage solutions,” said Lei Linwu. “It marks a step forward in the competitiveness of Chinese enterprises in the global energy storage market.” He also shared that earlier this month, the company shipped 340 MWh of energy storage products to Honduras, where they will support a national-level power infrastructure upgrade.

To date, Cornex New Energy has successfully reached customers in Europe, Central America, the Asia-Pacific, and other regions, with its oversea order book surpassing 50 GWh.

From Hubei Dongyu Xinsheng’s 20 millionth cell rolling off the production line to the Hubei Three Gorges Laboratory’s breakthrough in controllable hundred-kilogram-scale black phosphorus production, the province is steadily advancing through both “hard manufacturing” and “soft innovation”. Step by step, Hubei is establishing itself as a globally recognized hub for new energy industry development.

 

 

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