November 8th, 2024, Shanghai – At the globally renowned China International Import Expo (CIIE), a landmark signing ceremony marked a groundbreaking collaboration between Jiangsu Reliance Energy Tech. Co., Ltd. and Johnson Controls-Hitachi Wanbao Air Conditioning Systems (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. This strategic partnership not only deepens ties between the two companies but also highlights the pivotal role of Hitachi’s high-efficiency data center solutions in accelerating industry transformation.
Jiangsu Reliance Energy: A Powerhouse in Lithium Battery Innovation
Founded in November 2021, Jiangsu Reliance Energy specializes in the R&D, manufacturing, and sales of high-rate, high energy density tabless large cylindrical lithium batteries, aiming to become a global leader in comprehensive solutions for power tools, small-scale mobility, and portable energy storage.
Backed by a world-class R&D team, Reliance Energy has mastered core technologies across materials, electrochemical platforms, product design, and advanced manufacturing processes. Its “zero-tolerance manufacturing” philosophy ensures unparalleled product consistency through rigorous production management, equipment maintenance, and supply chain optimization.
Reliance Energy’s Phase I high-rate lithium-ion cell production base, with a total investment of RMB 6 billion, spans 324 acres (21.6 hectares) and includes 200,000 square meters of new facilities, set to commence operations by late 2024.
Synergistic Collaboration: Strengths Combined
Post-signing, Reliance Energy’s Chairwoman and CEO Chen Xuan and Senior Operations Director/Energy Storage Division GM Xu Fenglan shared insights into the partnership’s strategic value.
Chairwoman and CEO Chen Xuan, with 14 years of experience in R&D and manufacturing of high-power lithium batteries within the new energy industry, revealed that the company specializes in tabless large cylindrical lithium battery technology. This groundbreaking tabless cylindrical technology, first achieved in 2020, represents a world-leading innovation that revitalizes conventional cylindrical batteries’ advantages by delivering renewed competitiveness across multiple application fields.
Constrained by internal structural limitations, conventional cylindrical batteries face challenges in energy density, power density, and capacity. The breakthrough tabless architecture demonstrates exceptional advantages in fast charging (4-5C capability enabling 10-minute full charges), high energy density, enhanced safety, superior consistency, and 20C discharge capacity, making it adaptable to diverse applications.
The company’s engineering team has additionally conquered industry challenges including low-temperature and wide-temperature range operations while maintaining world-leading safety designs. However, the manufacturing process demands extreme precision control. To establish a globally top-tier system prioritizing safety, reliability, and precision, the company rigorously evaluates suppliers’ product quality and comprehensive delivery capabilities. The collaboration with Guangzhou Hitachi Air Conditioning ensures stable, low-carbon, energy-efficient production environments through their high-efficiency facility cooling systems, safeguarding premium battery manufacturing standards.
Xu Fenglan, Senior Director of Operations and General Manager of Energy Storage Division overseeing Reliance Energy’s integrated operations including sales, mechanical manufacturing, and supply chain management, emphasized strategic success factors: cohesive talent development from R&D to engineering and manufacturing systems, inheriting Japanese lean management practices to optimize cost efficiency and productivity.
Regarding future expansion, Phase I factory operations are projected to generate 12 billion RMB in sales. Plans include establishing overseas production facilities within 2-3 years, tripling current manufacturing scale.
Commenting on the partnership with Guangzhou Hitachi Air Conditioning, Xu highlighted the collaboration stems not only from absolute trust in product quality but also appreciation for their comprehensive single-point responsibility service model. This agreement liberates Reliance Energy from concerns regarding subsequent engineering, construction, commissioning, and maintenance of high-efficiency cooling systems.
Cross-Industry Synergy Drives Innovation
Guangzhou Hitachi Air Conditioning adheres to its “Begin with the End in Mind” philosophy, delivering customized total solutions for efficient cooling systems. Through optimized equipment selection and intelligent layout design, the company enhances energy efficiency while integrating eco-friendly innovations. Its R&D focuses on embedding energy-saving concepts and advancing product performance.
As Reliance Energy progresses with Phase I operations and subsequent development plans, the collaboration with Guangzhou Hitachi Air Conditioning is poised to deepen. Both parties anticipate expanded cooperation in technological innovation and market development, jointly contributing to global advancements in new energy and air conditioning industries. Hitachi’s high-efficiency cooling solutions are expected to set new benchmarks for premium facility environmental management across high-end projects.
Committed to sustainable development, Guangzhou Hitachi Air Conditioning implements AI and expert systems in central cooling applications, achieving over 30% energy savings and carbon reduction for industrial infrastructure. This aligns with national carbon neutrality goals, demonstrating how intelligent HVAC solutions can propel green transformation while creating value through flattened value chains and performance-driven project management.