At All Energy Australia 2026 in Melbourne (28–29 October), CATL globally launched TENER+, a 9MWh energy storage system, and TENER Sodium, a mass-produced sodium-ion system; meanwhile renewables supplied a record 44.3% of Australia's National Electricity Market generation in the September quarter of 2026, per AEMO.

1. Show overview: utility-scale storage takes center stage

All Energy Australia 2026 ran on 28–29 October at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC). The through-line of exhibitor announcements was clear: utility-scale storage is shifting from a capacity race to whole-lifetime value, while home storage — riding rapid install growth — is entering product-tier competition.

The macro backdrop comes from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO): according to CATL's press release (29 October 2026), renewables supplied a record 44.3% of NEM generation in the September quarter of 2026, and grid-scale batteries supplied 8% of evening-peak generation — overtaking gas for the first time. As coal plants retire, the grid increasingly needs storage with grid-forming capability for voltage and frequency support.

2. Utility-scale launches: 9MWh lithium and validated sodium

CATL TENER+ (global launch). Per CATL's official release (29 October 2026), TENER+ is a 9MWh ultra-high-capacity system aimed at land-constrained projects: it cuts container count by up to 40% and project footprint by 12%. Designed for a 25-year lifespan with liquid cooling and humid/coastal-environment protection, it keeps noise below 65dBA at 1 metre. Its "no heat island" top-exhaust design directs hot air vertically upward, avoiding horizontal heat discharge onto adjacent PCS units so they can run at full rated power even in extreme summer; multiple TENER+ units can be commissioned simultaneously with a single click.

TENER Sodium. The same release describes it as the world's first mass-produced, field-validated sodium-ion BESS, delivering more than 30MWh through modular cabinets, operating at up to 55°C, achieving over 10,000 cycles at 45°C, 95% round-trip efficiency and a service life beyond 20 years. Zane Zhou, GM of CATL Australia and New Zealand, said offering both lithium-ion and sodium-ion gives asset owners flexibility, with sodium adding a supply-chain pathway.

Sunwoda NoahX 3.0. Tansuo Energy Storage (30 October 2026) reported Sunwoda launched the NoahX 3.0 liquid-cooled system built on a 588Ah cell (417Wh/L volumetric density, 96.5% round-trip efficiency at 0.25P, 10,000 cycles to 70% SOH), in 6.26MWh (20-ft) and 3.13MWh (10-ft) configurations covering sub-5MW DC-coupled PV-storage, mine microgrids and large PV-storage projects; the company has operating projects in New South Wales and Victoria.

3. Home storage: installs up 52% in half a year, products tiering

China Economic Information News (republished by Tansuo Energy Storage, 30 October 2026) reported Australia's household battery installations grew 52% over the past half year. Hithium appeared with two residential brands:

The takeaway for suppliers: after rapid penetration, competition shifts from availability to tiered fit — modular high-voltage and low-voltage large-capacity routes coexist, and install convenience plus long-term serviceability are the selling points.

4. Local ecosystem: three MoUs and EPC collaboration

CATL signed three MoUs at the show (official release, 29 October 2026): with Hitachi Energy toward an integrated "CATL DC battery + Hitachi Energy PCS" offering for Australia and Asia Pacific; with EPEC Group and the Xiamen Energy Storage Validation Research Institute (ESVL) for grid integration, engineering delivery and full-scale system validation; and with UNSW Sydney to build a Centre for Integrated Renewable Energy Training and Innovation in Western Sydney. Birdwood Energy has also selected CATL as technology partner for the Baranduda Electrical Energy Reserve in Victoria — a 400MW/1,860MWh battery near Wodonga.

Tansuo Energy Storage (30 October 2026) also reported that AssurePower signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Bitwatt, Xiaoha Energy's Australian subsidiary, covering grid-scale and C&I BESS development, end-to-end EPC delivery and local supply-chain collaboration focused on Western Australia. CATL notes it has led global storage battery shipments for five consecutive years (SNE Research: 30.4% share in 2025), appeared on BloombergNEF's Tier 1 list every quarter since Q1 2024, delivered more than 3,000 storage projects worldwide and installed over 17GWh in Australia.

5. Three takeaways for storage suppliers

1. Grid-code compliance and climate hardening are entry tickets. TENER+ is pitched on stringent grid-connection requirements and coastal humidity; TENER Sodium on 55°C operation. Validate both before entering the Australian market.

2. Beyond capacity, compete on lifetime value. 25-year design life, "no heat island" thermal management and one-click commissioning all target lower lifetime cost and lower financing risk.

3. Meet home-storage growth with product tiers. A 52% half-year install increase raises installer and channel leverage; modular expansion and maintenance-friendly design are common trends in Australia and Europe.

DEMUDA offers 6–12kW single-phase hybrid inverters, 51.2V LFP batteries and a 6kW/16kWh all-in-one unit for residential and small C&I scenarios (product pages: /home/product/detail/id/17.html, /home/product/detail/id/51.html, /home/product/detail/id/115.html), with OEM/ODM support. See our home storage launch wave review on this site for related reading.

FAQ

Q1: When and where was All Energy Australia 2026 held?

All Energy Australia 2026 took place on 28–29 October 2026 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), one of Australia's largest energy industry events.

Q2: What is the difference between TENER+ and TENER Sodium?

According to CATL's official release (29 October 2026), TENER+ is a 9MWh lithium-based system with a 25-year design life, liquid cooling, up to 40% fewer containers and 12% less footprint; TENER Sodium is the world's first mass-produced, field-validated sodium-ion BESS, scaling beyond 30MWh, operating at up to 55°C with over 10,000 cycles at 45°C and 95% round-trip efficiency.

Q3: How fast is Australia's home battery market growing?

China Economic Information News (via Tansuo Energy Storage, 30 October 2026) reported household battery installations grew 52% in the past half year, moving the market from adoption into product-tier competition.

Q4: How much does Australia's grid need storage?

Per AEMO data cited in CATL's release (29 October 2026), renewables hit a record 44.3% of NEM generation in the September quarter of 2026 and grid-scale batteries supplied 8% of evening-peak generation, overtaking gas for the first time; retiring coal plants increase demand for grid-forming storage.

Q5: What matters most when entering the Australian storage market?

Meeting stringent grid-connection requirements, hardening for heat and humidity, competing on lifetime cost rather than price per kWh alone, and building delivery capability with local EPC and validation partners.