China has launched the world’s largest liquid-air energy storage facility, known as the Super Air Power Bank. Built by the China Green Development Investment Group (CGDI) in collaboration with the Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (TIPC-CAS), the facility is located in the Gobi Desert (ESS News, 30/12/2025). The 60 MW/600 MWh Super Air Power Bank can run continuously for 10 hours and generate approximately 180 GWh/year.
The power plant operates by compressing and cooling air to -194°C, liquefying it, and storing it in specialised tanks. When electricity is needed, the liquid air expands over 750 times its original volume, driving turbines to generate power. Essentially, the project transforms air into a medium for energy storage at extremely low temperatures.
A supporting 250 MW solar PV project will also give the 'Air Battery' renewable, self-supplied charging capability according to the Chinese media CGTN.
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