'Chǔnéng' (储能) literally combines 'chǔ' (to store) and 'néng' (energy or ability), meaning the process or technology of storing energy for later use. It refers broadly to systems that capture energy—such as electricity from solar panels or wind turbines—and hold it in chemical, mechanical, thermal, or other forms until needed.

This term is widely used in discussions about renewable energy infrastructure, smart grids, electric vehicles, and green policy. While 'néng' alone can mean 'ability', here it specifically means 'energy' (as in 能源, néngyuán). 'Chǔnéng' is almost always a technical noun—not a verb—and appears in compound terms like 储能系统 (chǔnéng xìtǒng, energy storage system) or 储能电站 (chǔnéng diànzhàn, energy storage power station).