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The Chinese company, through its international business divisions, is strengthening its global presence with technological solutions that integrate solar generation, storage, and smart management, and is planning to expand its presence in Latin America. At the recent Intersolar trade fair in Munich, pv magazine spoke with two company executives. Zhuzhou CRRC Times Electric and the Zhuzhou CRRC Institute have consolidated their international strategy in regions such as Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East-Central Asia, where they concentrate their portfolio of photovoltaic and storage projects. Yi Ding, general manager of the International Business Division of Zhuzhou CRRC Times Electric, and Eric Wang, general manager of International Business at the Zhuzhou CRRC Institute, describe how the company has developed a model that integrates power generation, grid, load management, and storage into a single platform. A first point Wang mentions is CRRC Zhuzhous integrated solution, which enables optimized configuration across all stages of the energy chain. The approach, he asserts, spans from research and development to manufacturing and sales, supported by an ecosystem that unites industry, academia, and research. This integration facilitates coordination between generation, grid, load, and storage, enabling the construction of next-generation energy systems with multi-energy synergy and greater grid flexibility, he adds. Regarding its next steps in the region, the company has defined a Double Drive strategy, combining technological advancements and talent development. Among its technological initiatives, Ding highlights cluster control with grid-forming capabilities, the development of integrated microgrids, and products such as 2000V photovoltaic systems and 6 MWh storage solutions. R&D investment exceeds 8% of revenue, with 20% of that budget dedicated to core technologies. Furthermore, the company builds elite teams abroad and accelerates the development of innovative products with global standards, he explains. In the railway sector, CRRC Zhuzhou has launched a battery-electric locomotive featuring zero emissions and low noise. These locomotives are powered by high-capacity lithium batteries and employ patented battery swapping technology, enabling recharges in 10 minutes and recovering up to 20% of energy through regenerative braking. AI-based predictive maintenance and route optimization systems extend the battery life to more than eight years. The solution adapts to different load demands and operates in extreme conditions, with applications in industrial rail networks, light-duty urban transit, and green logistics corridors. It should be remembered that the Chinese company was the supplier of the machines and wagons for the so-called Quebrada Solar Train , in the Argentine province of Jujuy, a tourist railway convoy that recharges its lithium batteries using photovoltaic energy and travels 35 km along the Humahuaca Gorge, with stops at four stations. In Mexico, the company was recently awarded the contract for 18 air-conditioned, articulated double-decker trains. This contract includes the design, manufacturing, supply, testing, and commissioning of public transportation services on the Metrorrey lines in Monterrey, Nuevo León. Also in Mexico, it is responsible for the renovation of Metro Line 1, which includes the manufacture of new trains and the creation of a plant in Querétaro to meet the requirement for 30% domestic components. The company maintains its focus on key international markets, such as Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia, and sees expansion opportunities in Latin America. According to Yi Ding and Eric Wang, China considers the region a strategic partner for the development of sustainable infrastructure and clean energy, within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, also known as the New Silk Road, a global infrastructure development and international cooperation strategy promoted by the Chinese government. Although CRRCs presence in solar energy in South America is still nascent, its capabilities in energy transmission and storage, as well as systems integration, align with local demand for integrated renewable solutions. By strengthening local partnerships and promoting collaboration in research and supply chains, CRRC seeks to improve its competitiveness in the global renewable energy market. The company anticipates that this approach will provide a replicable model for integrating technology and infrastructure in the transition to low-emission energy systems in South America and other emerging markets. |
