The digital eco-park – green low-carbon smart factory project developed by AlphaESS in the Nantong National High-tech Industrial Development Zone, has been named one of Jiangsu province's top 10 typical digital social projects for 2024.

At the heart of the project is AlphaESS's self-developed low-carbon smart park platform, which functions like a virtual grid for the entire park, according to Hong Xing, the project manager of AlphaESS.

Using energy IoT technology, the platform collects real-time data from over 10 different types of park equipment, including solar panels, energy storage systems, and charging stations, creating a full-cycle energy management system. Additionally, a digital 3D model of the park has been established to accurately replicate every building and device within the area. "In this system, we can see the temperature of each energy storage battery and the exact location of every camera in the park," Hong said.

Beyond innovatively integrating distributed resources such as solar, energy storage, and flexible loads into the platform, AlphaESS has also developed an AI-powered energy storage strategy system. By leveraging big data and AI algorithms, the system dynamically adjusts the charging and discharging strategies for energy storage, taking into account variables like demand, electricity prices, solar energy production, and load.

In 2024 alone, AlphaESS's park in Tongzhou has saved over 1.3 million yuan ($178,868) in electricity costs through this system.

AlphaESS was founded in 2012 and since grown into a multinational energy storage technology company. In 2022, the company identified the growing trend of low-carbon park construction and launched the development of its platform in October. In August 2023, the platform became operational.

Yang Fan, director of AlphaESS's Nanjing Research Institute, noted that the company has expanded beyond being just an equipment integrator to become a service provider for energy digital transformation. AlphaESS now employs professionals in areas such as electric power technology research, energy storage equipment manufacturing, IT data services, and new energy project development, offering advanced solutions for distributed energy, energy storage products, and smart energy management for homes, businesses, power grids, and electric companies.

AlphaESS's self-developed low-carbon smart park platform. [Photo/Nantong Daily]