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USI Subsidiary Universal Optoelectronics Acquires Controlling Stake in Eugenlight Technologies, Advancing Optical Interconnect Industry Integration

SHANGHAI, Jan. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — USI announces that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Universal Optoeletronics Co., Ltd., completed the acquisition of a controlling stake in EugenLight Technologies.

USI Subsidiary Universal Optoelectronics Acquires Controlling Stake in EugenLight Technologies
USI Subsidiary Universal Optoelectronics Acquires Controlling Stake in EugenLight Technologies

USI is actively expanding its presence in the optical communications field by collaborating with upstream and downstream partners in the industry chain to establish comprehensive capabilities from design to mass-production. The company aims to secure a position at the core of the global optical interconnect ecosystem, leveraging synergies with its parent company ASE Holdings to jointly build a leading advantage in the optoelectronic packaging and testing sector, which will enable USI to capture new opportunities in rack-level system integration for data centers.

EugenLight Technologies, founded in October 2016, is a high-tech enterprise specializing in the research, development, manufacturing, and sales of high-data rate optoelectronic components and optical engines. Drawing upon its leading technological capabilities and product reliability, the company has become a strategic partner to several top-tier optical transceiver vendors, with its flagship products in the core supply chain of global optical communication industry.

EugenLight is among the pioneers in developing silicon photonics integration technology. In recent years, the demand for high-density, low-power optical interconnects in AI data centers has accelerated the evolution of silicon photonics interconnect technology, driving strong demand from major new customers. The company’s optoelectronic integration technology is also applicable in emerging areas such as space optical communications, LiDAR, and photonic computing, implicating significant potential for business expansion.

Upon closing of the transaction, EugenLight’s management team will remain in place, ensuring continuity and to strengthen its relationships with existing clients, suppliers, and partners, while tapping into new markets and expanding client base. This transaction will broaden USI’s optical communications product offerings and enhance its capabilities matrix to better serve top-tier clients. Harnessing USI’s industry chain and client resources, EugenLight is poised to accelerate its growth.

Dr. Simon Xu, chairman of EugenLight, said, “Since the creation of EugenLight almost a decade ago, we have stayed committed to developing optoelectronic integration technologies and products. Today, as the tide of generative AI presents magnificent opportunities for optical interconnects, we are determined to become part of USI, aiming to be empowered by USI’s global platform, expanding global manufacturing capacity and client base, strengthening the supply chain, and thereby accelerating the success of EugenLight. Our focus persists in advanced optical interconnect technologies and products including NPO and CPO. We anticipate our integration into USI’s global service and quality systems, in pursuit of becoming the most trusted technology partner for global clients.”

Jeffrey Chen, Chairman of USI, stated, “USI’s innovative businesses in the data center sector cover three major areas: computing/accelerator boards, optical interconnects, and high-voltage direct current (HVDC) power supply. By continuously driving industry resource integration, USI has established itself as a leader through technological evolution. EugenLight Technologies’ integration into USI marks a significant milestone in the development of USI’s optical interconnect business. With strong technical expertise and an excellent reputation among clients, EugenLight will play a key role for USI’s growth in this field. USI will fully support EugenLight in scaling up and becoming a global brand in optical interconnect and optoelectronic applications.”

Looking ahead, USI will capitalize on its advantages as a listed company and continue investing in and consolidating the optical interconnect industry, aiming to be established as a key member and trusted partner within the global optical interconnect ecosystem.

About USI (601231.SH)

USI, Universal Scientific Industrial (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., is a global leader in electronic design and manufacturing as well as a leader in the field of SiP (System-in-Package) technology. USI has 30 production and service locations across four continents of Asia, Europe, Americas, and Africa, and offers customer diversified electronic products with D(MS)2 product services: Design, Manufacturing, Miniaturization, Industrial software and hardware Solutions, and material procurement, logistics and maintenance Services. USI is a subsidiary of ASE Technology Holding Co., Ltd. (TWSE: 3711, NYSE: ASX). To learn more, please visit www.usiglobal.com or engage with us on LinkedIn and YouTube.

 

Daqo New Energy’s Subsidiary Xinjiang Daqo Provides Preliminary Estimate of Net Loss for FY2025

SHANGHAI, Jan. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Daqo New Energy Corp. (NYSE: DQ) (“Daqo New Energy” or the “Company”), a leading manufacturer of high-purity polysilicon for the global solar PV industry, today announced that its subsidiary Xinjiang Daqo New Energy (“Xinjiang Daqo”) has provided an estimate of its net loss for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 to the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

Xinjiang Daqo estimates that under PRC GAAP, its net loss attributable to Xinjiang Daqo’s shareholders in FY2025 will be in the range of RMB1.0~1.3 billion, compared to net loss attributable to Xinjiang Daqo’s shareholders of RMB2.7 billion in FY2024.

Daqo New Energy currently beneficially owns approximately 72.8% of Xinjiang Daqo’s equity interest, and the majority of the Company’s revenue and net income are contributed by Xinjiang Daqo. The estimated net loss described in this press release was prepared solely for Xinjiang Daqo in RMB in accordance with PRC GAAP and is subject to change upon completion of Xinjiang Daqo’s internal financial closing and reporting process. In contrast, the Company’s consolidated financial results are reported in U.S. dollars in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

The estimated net loss described in this press release is based solely on the information currently available to Xinjiang Daqo’s management. Actual results could vary materially from this preliminary estimate. Consequently, investors should exercise caution in relying on this preliminary estimate and should not draw any inferences from it regarding financial or operating data not provided. The estimated net loss should not be viewed as a substitute for full financial statements of Xinjiang Daqo prepared in accordance with PRC GAAP. In addition, the estimated net loss is not necessarily indicative of the results to be achieved by Xinjiang Daqo in any future period.

About Daqo New Energy Corp.

Daqo New Energy Corp. (NYSE: DQ) (“Daqo” or the “Company”) is a leading manufacturer of high-purity polysilicon for the global solar PV industry. Founded in 2007, the Company manufactures and sells high-purity polysilicon to photovoltaic product manufacturers, who further process the polysilicon into ingots, wafers, cells and modules for solar power solutions. The Company has a total polysilicon nameplate capacity of 305,000 metric tons and is one of the world’s lowest cost producers of high-purity polysilicon.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “might,” “guidance” and similar statements. Among other things, the estimated net loss for the year of 2025 contains forward-looking statements. The Company may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports filed or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual reports to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of which are beyond the Company’s control. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: the demand for photovoltaic products and the development of photovoltaic technologies; global supply and demand for polysilicon; alternative technologies in cell manufacturing; the Company’s ability to significantly expand its polysilicon production capacity and output; the reduction in or elimination of government subsidies and economic incentives for solar energy applications; the Company’s ability to lower its production costs; and changes in the regulatory environment. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the reports or documents that the Company has filed with, or furnished to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release is as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no duty to update such information or any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

Metis “Starry Pro”: Achieving Greater Wealth Stability in a Changing Landscape.

HONG KONG, Jan. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As we move into 2026, Metis Global (Cook Islands) Limited (“Metis CI”), a subsidiary of Metis Global Group, has officially launched its brand-new regular savings trust plan, the “Starry Pro Plan.” The plan integrates regular contributions, international trust protection, and diversified asset allocation arrangements to deliver an integrated solution for clients with medium- to long-term financial planning needs, balancing asset accumulation, structural stability, and legacy planning.

Amid rising market volatility and the increasing prevalence of cross-border allocation, clients are placing greater emphasis on the robustness of legal arrangements when planning for savings, education, or retirement objectives. Metis CI notes that the Starry Pro Plan is designed to help clients establish a forward-looking and disciplined financial structure with an accessible entry threshold.

The Starry Pro Plan combines regular contributions with international trust protection for stable wealth growth.
The Starry Pro Plan combines regular contributions with international trust protection for stable wealth growth.

20-Year Regular Contribution Design to Establish a Stable Financial Rhythm

The Starry Pro Plan adopts a 20-year regular savings trust structure with a standard Contribution Payment Term (“CPT”). Through consistent contributions, clients can gradually accumulate assets and establish a stable rhythm for financial planning under various market conditions. The plan is available for individual or joint applications of up to two persons and primarily targeting medium- to long-term financial goals.

Diverse Underlying Asset Design Supporting Different Financial Orientations

With respect to portfolio selection, the Starry Pro Plan provides two underlying asset options, allowing clients to make choices based on their personal circumstances and overall planning considerations at the point of application.

One option tracks the performance of the S&P 500 Index, representing a widely recognised benchmark of the U.S. equity market across multiple sectors and reflecting the long-term development of mature capital markets. The other is selected by clients from portfolios managed by third-party professional institutions, with allocations and adjustments made according to established investment strategies and market conditions.

Both approaches adopt a regular allocation mechanism to support the gradual accumulation of portfolio value across different market cycles.

International Trust Framework Strengthening Asset Protection and Legacy Arrangements

Metis CI serves as the trustee of the “Starry Pro Plan.” Metis CI is a licensed trust company legally registered in the Cook Islands under the Trustee Companies Act 2014 and is regulated by the Cook Islands Financial Supervisory Commission (“FSC”). The Cook Islands is renowned for its mature common law system and the International Trusts Act 1984, and has long been regarded as an international jurisdiction with a robust legal foundation for trusts.

Under the trust structure, clients can appoint beneficiaries through a Letter of Wishes, significantly simplifying the asset transfer process. Assets are held under the independent custody of DBS Bank in Singapore and are fully segregated from the assets of Metis CI, thereby strengthening asset security.

Flexible Mechanisms Designed for Different Life Stages

Recognising that financial circumstances may change during a long-term contribution period, the “Starry Pro Plan” features several flexible options, including a Contribution Holiday, adjustments to contribution amounts, and a partial withdrawal mechanism. Throughout the CPT, clients can utilise up to 24 months of Contribution Holiday in total. Clients may also reduce the regular contribution amount or apply for partial withdrawals after the Initial Contribution Period, ensuring that their planning can adapt flexibly to changing life circumstances.

A Structure-Oriented Financial Tool

Metis CI states that the “Starry Pro Plan” emphasises structural design and medium- to long-term financial thinking. Through a defined contribution framework, a robust trust legal structure, and independent custody arrangements, the plan supports clients in building a more focused and resilient financial blueprint amid ongoing market uncertainty.

Laos Welcomes Nearly 4.6 Million Tourists in 2025, Surpassing Annual Target

Patuxay, Vientiane Capital, Laos. This photo is used for representational purposes only.

Laos welcomed 4,580,709 tourists in 2025, an 11 percent increase year-on-year that surpassed the government’s target of 4.3 million visitors, according to the Tourism Development Department.

The growth continues a strong post-pandemic recovery trend. In 2024, Laos attracted over 4.1 million visitors, nearly one million more than in 2023, with the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) ranking the country 13th globally among the world’s fastest-growing tourism destinations. 

Most visitors came from Thailand, Vietnam, and China.

Laos has also earned recognition as one of the world’s most economical travel destinations for 2026, according to Indie Traveller magazine. Featured in “26 Amazing Cheap Places You Should Travel to in 2026,” the country offers exceptional value, with budget-conscious travelers able to explore for approximately USD 25 daily. 

For 2026-2030, Laos targets to attract over 43 million total visitors, 21 million domestic and 22 million international tourists, averaging about 4.4 million annually, generating at least USD 13 billion in revenue, said Minister of Culture and Tourism Suansavanh Viyaket.

KuCoin Ranks Among Top Three Exchanges by Market Share Growth in TokenInsight’s 2025 Annual Report

KCS Records Counter-Cyclical Gains as KuCoin Leads the Industry in Spot Market Share Growth

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands, Jan. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — KuCoin, a leading global cryptocurrency platform built on trust, has been recognized as one of the top three exchanges by annual market share growth in TokenInsight’s newly released 2025 Cryptocurrency Exchange Annual Report.

The report highlights KuCoin’s strong performance across multiple core indicators, underscoring its ability to deliver resilient growth amid an increasingly competitive and volatile market environment.


Market Share Growth Ranks Top Three Industry-Wide

According to TokenInsight’s analysis of major centralized exchanges (CEXs), KuCoin’s average market share achieved significant year-on-year growth in 2025, positioning the platform among the top three exchanges globally in terms of annual market share growth. As competition intensified and market concentration among leading platforms continued to fluctuate, KuCoin stood out as one of the few exchanges to achieve sustained positive growth, reflecting the long-term strength of its product structure, asset offerings, and global user base.

KCS Delivers Counter-Cyclical Performance, Ranking Top Three by Annual Price Growth

While many exchange tokens faced downward pressure throughout 2025, KuCoin’s native token, KCS, delivered a counter-cyclical performance, ranking among the top three exchange tokens by annual price appreciation, trailing only OKB and BNB. TokenInsight’s data shows that KCS maintained relatively stable performance over the year and was among the limited number of platform tokens to achieve positive annual returns, highlighting continued market confidence in KuCoin’s ecosystem, strategic direction, and underlying fundamentals.

KuCoin Leads the Industry in Spot Market Share Growth

KuCoin’s momentum was particularly evident in the spot market. TokenInsight data indicates that between January and December 2025, KuCoin recorded a net increase of 5.83% in spot market share, ranking first among all major centralized exchanges. This growth was driven by KuCoin’s ongoing investment in spot asset availability, liquidity optimization, and global market coverage, further strengthening its position within the global spot trading landscape.

Building Long-Term Value Through Disciplined Growth

TokenInsight noted that 2025 marked a period of accelerated differentiation within the exchange sector, with market share dynamics and exchange token performance increasingly reflecting platforms’ long-term operational capabilities and user trust.

KuCoin’s strong showing across multiple key indicators demonstrates the effectiveness of its long-term, disciplined approach to platform development amid cyclical market fluctuations.

KuCoin stated that it will continue to prioritize security, compliance, and user experience, advancing the sustainable growth of its ecosystem and delivering stable and high-quality digital asset services to users worldwide.

About KuCoin

Founded in 2017, KuCoin is a leading global crypto platform trusted by over 40 million users across 200+ countries and regions. The platform delivers innovative and compliant digital-asset services, offering access to 1,000+ listed tokens, spot and futures trading, institutional wealth management, and a Web3 wallet.

Recognized by Forbes and Hurun, KuCoin holds SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001:2022 certifications, underscoring its commitment to top-tier security. With AUSTRAC registration in Australia and a MiCA license in Austria, KuCoin continues expanding its regulated footprint under CEO BC Wong, building a reliable and trusted digital-asset ecosystem.

Learn more: www.kucoin.com

Infinix Wins Multiple “Best of CES 2026” Awards for Satellite Communication and Breakthrough Innovations

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — During CES 2026, Infinix, an innovation-driven technology brand, captured the global spotlight, winning the Innovation Award 2026 from internationally authoritative tech media Trusted Reviews, the “Best of CES 2026” title from renowned veteran tech outlet Android Headlines, as well as multiple “Best of CES 2026” honors from leading mainstream technology media. The accolades highlight industry recognition of Infinix’s latest innovations across satellite communication, sustained performance, personalized expression, and AI ecosystem products.

The awards received by Infinix
The awards received by Infinix

Centered on the theme “Joy Tech, Beyond Limit,” Infinix showcased a series of breakthrough technologies that redefine connectivity, sustained performance, and personalized expression, ushering in a new era of mobile innovation. The highlight was Infinix’s first seamless two-way satellite communication solution, bringing satellite connectivity to consumer-grade smartphones in an unprecedented way and further expanding the boundaries of network versatility. Powered by a high-performance satellite modem, the system delivers two-way voice and messaging across nearly two-thirds of the Earth’s surface, with seamless automatic switching between terrestrial and satellite networks. This technology will make its commercial debut in the upcoming Infinix NOTE 60 Series, bringing high-end connectivity to a broader global audience.

Other major innovations include industry-leading thermal efficiency achieved through the HydroFlow Liquid Cooling Architecture and Piezoelectric Fan integrated directly into the smartphone’s thermal path, overcoming the physical limits of passive cooling and ensuring stable high performance even under heavy loads, delivering an exceptional mobile gaming experience. The Active Visual Backplate Technology turns the smartphone backplate into a dynamic visual canvas without drawing additional power. Its patterns and colors shift with viewing angle, temperature, and lighting, while also offering continuous animations and glass-free 3D effects. The Infinix AI GLASSES Pro features a dual-chip architecture, enabling high-performance first-person capture and comprehensive, low-power intelligent interaction. The AI Module, a magnetic expansion ecosystem, evolves the smartphone into an AI creative hub, showcasing Infinix’s vision for the future intelligent ecosystem.

Throughout the event, the Infinix showcase became a hub for global tech media, attracting coverage from The Verge, Wired, ZDNet, GSMArena, Gizmochina, Stuff, Android Police, and more, while earning authoritative “Best of CES 2026” honors across multiple categories:

A glittering collection of awards celebrating Infinix’s breakthrough achievements at CES 2026
A glittering collection of awards celebrating Infinix’s breakthrough achievements at CES 2026

As the curtains fall on CES 2026, Infinix will continue to champion the “Joy Tech, Beyond Limit” philosophy, exploring the limitless possibilities of technology and pushing the boundaries of connectivity, creativity, and freedom in smart devices. By bridging forward-looking concepts with real-world applications, Infinix is setting a new benchmark for the smartphone ecosystem, ensuring that every innovation delivers a more connected, creative, and liberating experience for users worldwide.

About Infinix

Established in 2013, Infinix is an innovation-driven brand dedicated to delivering cutting-edge technology, bold design, and outstanding performance. The brand provides smart, enjoyable mobile experiences that enhance everyday life. Beyond smartphones, Infinix has expanded its portfolio to include TWS earbuds, smartwatches, laptops, tablets, smart TVs, and more — building a comprehensive ecosystem of smart devices. Currently, Infinix products are available in over 70 countries and regions worldwide, including Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.

For more information, please visit: http://www.infinixmobility.com/

Changzhou Holds “Microgrid Standards Enter Enterprises” Matching Conference to Boost Industrial Standardization

CHANGZHOU, China, Jan. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On January 15th, the 2026 “Microgrid Standards Enter Enterprises” Matching Conference was successfully held in Changzhou. Hosted by the China Electricity Council (CEC), the event gathered over 80 representatives from government authorities, industry authoritative experts, integrated energy service providers, and relevant industrial chain units. Through thematic seminars, it built a bridge for standard promotion and industrial matching, facilitating the standardized and large-scale development of Changzhou’s microgrid industry.

In recent years, focusing on core scenarios such as cultural and tourism energy supplement, green transformation of manufacturing industry, and intelligent energy supply in industrial parks, Changzhou has carried out diversified implementation and innovative practices of microgrid technology. As Changzhou’s leading large-scale “photovoltaic-storage-charging + cultural tourism” integrated demonstration project, the Global Dinosaur City Super Charging Flagship Station integrates photovoltaic canopies, megawatt-level energy storage, and V2G interaction facilities, realizing efficient energy supplement in 15 minutes and independent local energy dispatching. The intelligent manufacturing microgrid of Changzhou Borui Electric Power, centered on “photovoltaic + energy storage + energy and carbon management and control”, provides customized low-carbon solutions for industrial manufacturing. The microgrid of Wujin National High-tech Zone Innovation Industrial Park covers an energy supply area of 370,000 square meters, integrating 1.61-megawatt distributed photovoltaic and large-capacity energy storage systems, and has implemented a number of cutting-edge technology demonstrations. Its replicable and promotable operation model provides a vivid sample for the formulation and practice of relevant standards for industrial park-level microgrids.

At the conference, the Changzhou Development and Reform Commission systematically demonstrated the construction achievements of the 3.0 version of Changzhou’s typical new energy application scenarios through a video short film, and detailed the overall layout, phased results, and future plans of Changzhou’s microgrid development. State Grid Changzhou Power Supply Company shared practical experience in aggregating diversified microgrid resources through virtual power plants and participating in grid interaction, providing a clear path for enterprises to effectively connect and utilize grid resources. Subsequently, the industry expert team gave authoritative interpretations on the standardized construction of microgrids, systematically sorted out the standard system structure, analyzed key technical trends, explained the core requirements of key standards, and provided professional guidance for enterprises in standardized construction and application expansion by combining practical cases such as large-scale vehicle-grid interaction pilots. Representatives from ten key enterprises conducted in-depth discussions on issues such as technical difficulties, development bottlenecks, standard demands encountered in microgrid construction and operation, and suggestions for optimizing existing standards.

Pan Yuelong, Supervisor General of the China Electricity Council, stated that CEC will continue to play the role of a bridge and link, further strengthen collaborative cooperation with local governments, scientific research institutions, and key enterprises, continuously improve the microgrid standard system, strengthen the promotion and implementation of standards, and promote the formation of a virtuous cycle of “standards leading innovation, innovation supporting industry, and industry feeding back standards”.

“This event has effectively built a bridge for precise docking between the standard supply side and the industrial demand side. It not only helps enterprises accurately grasp the core of standards and clarify the development path, but also provides important front-line references for government departments to optimize industrial policies and expert teams to improve the standard system,” said a relevant person in charge of State Grid Changzhou Power Supply Company. The power supply company will continue to play the role of a bridge and link, actively promote the in-depth integration of standard implementation with technological innovation and industrial upgrading, and lead the microgrid industry into a new stage of standardized and large-scale development with high standards.

 

The Breakthrough Path of Microgrids in Changzhou: Load-Side Resource Development Leads the High-Quality Development of New Energy Formats

CHANGZHOU, China, Jan. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Since the “14th Five-Year Plan” period, the total social electricity consumption in Changzhou has steadily increased, rising from 58.84 billion kWh in 2021 to 70.28 billion kWh in 2025. Electricity load exceeding 10 million kilowatts has become the norm; in 2025, it set a historical record seven times, with the highest reaching 12.49 million kilowatts. The continuous growth in electricity demand not only highlights the severe challenge of ensuring power supply but also puts forward higher requirements for the efficient utilization of energy across society.

Based on local policy, location, and resource advantages, State Grid Changzhou Power Supply Company has taken ensuring the safe and reliable supply of electricity as the foundation, deepening the development of load-side resources and promoting green development as the main line, and constructing intelligent microgrids as the core grasp. It has proactively acted and made precise efforts to explore a high-quality energy development path led by policies, empowered by scenarios, and driven by mechanism innovation. During the “14th Five-Year Plan” period, from legislative protection to government-enterprise collaboration, from the implementation of diverse scenarios to the aggregation of virtual power plants, intelligent microgrids in Changzhou have successfully achieved a leapfrog development from conceptual conception to comprehensive urban-rural practice, injecting strong impetus into the cultivation of new energy formats.

Policy Foundation + Government-Enterprise Synergy: Building a “Strong Support” for Microgrid Development

The “policy spring breeze” of prioritizing legislation has injected vigorous vitality into the development of microgrids. In April 2024, driven by State Grid Changzhou Power Supply Company, the Regulations of Changzhou City on Promoting the New Energy Industry, the first special regulation for promoting the new energy industry in China, was officially issued. This regulation constructs an ecological system for the development of the new energy industry through legislation, explicitly encouraging the promotion of industrial green microgrids and integrated photovoltaic-storage-charging construction, providing a solid legal guarantee for the development of microgrids.

In the same year, the first municipal and regional-level microgrid support policies in Jiangsu Province were successively implemented in Changzhou, systematically planning the construction tasks of each county (district). In 2025, the Three-Year Action Plan for Accelerating the Construction of a New Energy System in Changzhou (2025-2027) was released, clarifying the goal of completing 300 microgrid projects by the end of 2027 and delineating a “timeline” and “roadmap” for industrial development. The 15th Five-Year Plan for Microgrids and Charging-Swapping Infrastructure Development in Changzhou, in which State Grid Changzhou Power Supply Company participated in drafting in depth, further optimized goal settings from the dimensions of development scale, technical functions, and comprehensive benefits, depicting a long-term development blueprint for the microgrid industry.

In addition to policy guidance, the government-enterprise collaboration mechanism has built a “solid foundation” for microgrid development. State Grid Changzhou Power Supply Company has established a regular consultation “discussion platform”, relying on carriers such as the Office of the Leading Group for the Construction of a New Energy Capital and the Microgrid Industry Chain Hub Platform to regularly assess development strategies and achieve precise alignment between policies and market demands. On March 28, 2025, driven by State Grid Changzhou Power Supply Company, the Jiangsu Microgrid Industry Chain Matching Conference and Changzhou Microgrid City Construction Promotion Conference were successfully held. At the conference, the Changzhou Municipal Government and State Grid Jiangsu Electric Power signed the Cooperation Agreement on Jointly Building a Model Microgrid City. The two parties will deepen cooperation around building a benchmark model microgrid city and empowering the green development of the new energy industry, providing replicable and promotable experiences for microgrid construction nationwide.

At the industrial chain collaboration level, the “Changzhou New Type Intelligent Microgrid Development Alliance” composed of enterprises, universities, and research institutes has continuously exerted its effectiveness. Alliance members actively participate in a series of thematic salons led by State Grid Changzhou Power Supply Company, such as “Development Opportunities and Challenges of Microgrids Under the Background of New Policy Implementation” and “Promoting the Integration of New Power Equipment Enterprises and Microgrid Project Construction Supply and Demand”, promoting in-depth integration of industry, academia, research, and application, and building a vibrant “energy industry ecosystem”.

Scenario Empowerment + Innovation Drive: Activating “New Vitality” for Microgrid Applications

During the “14th Five-Year Plan” period, the application scenarios of microgrids in Changzhou have continuously innovated and expanded, from individual vehicles and single buildings to industrial plants and industrial parks, achieving comprehensive coverage of “taking points to drive areas and connecting beads into chains”. In October 2025, the near-zero-carbon station-grid interactive microgrid in Nanshan Bamboo Sea, Liyang, was officially put into operation. Adopting the “photovoltaic-storage-charging-load” collaborative model, this project not only effectively solves the problem of difficult charging during the tourist peak season but also realizes full coverage of green electricity charging in the Nanshan Bamboo Sea Scenic Area throughout the year, successfully launching the new cultural tourism brand of “Charging Green Electricity Amid Green Mountains and Clear Waters”.

This practice is not an isolated case. In 2025, Changzhou was approved as one of the first batch of national pilot cities for large-scale vehicle-grid interaction (V2G) application and the only one in Jiangsu Province. The grid-friendly charging service network is accelerating its formation. Up to now, 25 charging station microgrid clusters participated in the construction by State Grid Changzhou Power Supply Company have been completed and put into operation, with 183 V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) piles taking root. From August to November 2025, State Grid Changzhou Power Supply Company took the lead in organizing 680 stations in the city to carry out vehicle-grid interaction activities. Relying on Changzhou’s special subsidy policy for vehicle-grid interaction, it provides a maximum of 4 yuan/kWh for large-scale discharge subsidies to new energy vehicle owners, a maximum of 2 yuan/kWh subsidies to charging and swapping facility operators participating in aggregated interaction, and a maximum of 50,000 yuan and 1,000 yuan subsidies to pilot communities and intelligent orderly charging piles respectively. The activity has attracted more than 7,200 social vehicle participations, with a total discharge capacity exceeding 300,000 kWh, realizing “two-way interaction” of energy between new energy vehicles and the power grid, and accumulating valuable experience for the exploration of urban-level vehicle-grid interaction models.

In the field of building construction, the application of microgrid technology is also brilliant. In March 2023, State Grid Changzhou Power Supply Company built the first new type of station-grid interaction demonstration center in China. The intelligent management and control platform built by the center is like a “smart brain” for building energy use, realizing real-time monitoring and precise regulation of various energy-consuming equipment. It has constructed four operation modes: daily operation, demand response, virtual power plant, and independent microgrid. The average deviation of load control in response to grid instructions is less than 5%, making it a national benchmark for microgrids empowering building energy conservation. At present, from the Sino-German Industrial Park to the Tianmu Lake Yushui Hot Spring Hotel, a number of microgrid projects integrating multiple energy forms such as building-integrated photovoltaics, ice storage air conditioning, and combined cooling, heating, and power supply have been successively completed, promoting the transformation of building construction from “passive energy use” to “active energy conservation”.

Modern industrial parks show a more grand picture of energy transformation. State Grid Changzhou Power Supply Company has successively built a number of characteristic microgrid demonstration parks such as Liyang High-tech Zone Chuangzhi Park and Wujin National High-tech Zone Innovation Industrial Park. By integrating multiple energy resources such as solar energy and energy storage, and relying on the microgrid energy management system, these parks are endowed with the “autonomous capability” of independent energy regulation, achieving the dual goals of optimal internal energy allocation and flexible interaction with the external main power grid.

Mechanism Breakthrough + Resource Aggregation: Building a “New Engine” for Virtual Power Plants

As a core carrier for aggregating distributed power sources, adjustable loads, energy storage, and other scattered resources, virtual power plants are of great significance for improving power supply guarantee capabilities and promoting new energy consumption. During the “14th Five-Year Plan” period, State Grid Changzhou Power Supply Company focused on three key areas: platform construction, potential exploration, and joint force aggregation, promoting scattered microgrid resources to “gather sand into a tower” and building a new engine for the high-quality development of virtual power plants.

Platform construction is the “first move” and “intelligent hub” for resource aggregation. In 2024, State Grid Changzhou Power Supply Company built the first municipal-level virtual power plant management center in Jiangsu Province, realizing “unified management through one network” of highly flexible non-industrial adjustable resources such as user-side photovoltaic-storage-charging and 5G base stations, and fully releasing the aggregation effect of scattered resources. Up to now, the management center has cumulatively connected 23 virtual power plants, aggregated 3,624 users, with an aggregated capacity of 1.2669 million kilowatts, a maximum upward regulation capacity of 425,200 kilowatts, and a maximum downward regulation capacity of 282,900 kilowatts, providing strong support for the safe and stable operation of the power grid.

To address the pain points of load-side adjustable resources such as fragmentation, strong volatility, and inconsistent response capabilities, State Grid Changzhou Power Supply Company innovatively launched the solution of “building platforms, labeling, and profiling”. In July 2024, the first municipal-level load-side adjustable resource management platform in Jiangsu Province was officially launched, realizing unified access, unified monitoring, and unified dispatching of 109 intelligent microgrids and 23 virtual power plants in the city. The platform has established a dual capability certification mechanism of “algorithm + actual measurement” and built a “digital ID card” system containing 38 labels. Based on national standards and industry norms, it accurately profiles each resource from the dimensions of response time, regulation accuracy, and peak-valley characteristics, ensuring efficient screening and rapid dispatching when the power grid is in need. Since its launch, the platform has organized 34 capability tests and promoted 9 virtual power plants to complete the official registration in the electricity spot market, becoming the first batch of new market entities in Jiangsu Province to participate in transactions as independent entities.

Ecological co-construction is a “long-term plan” for industrial prosperity and a “strong magnetic field”. Adhering to the concept of “when everyone adds firewood, the flames rise high”, State Grid Changzhou Power Supply Company continuously promotes the transformation of load aggregators, electricity sales companies, energy service providers, and charging and swapping facility operators into virtual power plant operators, cultivating professional forces for scattered resource aggregation. Since 2024, it has organized more than 20 special training sessions and government-enterprise-research exchange meetings on market mechanisms and technical standards, attracting the active participation of more than 500 enterprises, and building a diversified, collaborative, and positive interactive virtual power plant industrial ecosystem.

In the next step, State Grid Changzhou Power Supply Company will continue to deepen the construction of microgrids and the development and utilization of load-side resources, continuously improve the policy coordination, scenario innovation, and mechanism guarantee systems, promote the high-quality development of new energy formats, and contribute more Changzhou strength to the construction of a new power system and the realization of the “double carbon” goal.