Experts call for more efforts in grid network for clean power transmission

In a bid to support and sustain the rapid expansion of renewable energy generation in China, industry experts called for an acceleration of grid network construction for clean power transmission.

The comment comes as the nation continues its big push toward a greener and more sustainable future, with renewable energy sources playing a pivotal role.

"China's renewable energy sector has witnessed tremendous growth in recent years, with wind and solar power projects springing up across the nation, especially in the Gobi Desert and other desert regions in northwestern areas of China, where the government has been stepping up the construction of renewable energy projects to further facilitate the country's green transition," said Zhou Yuanbing, director-general of the Economic and Technology Research Institute of Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization (GEIDCO).

Additionally, advanced transmission technologies, such as ultrahigh voltage and flexible direct current, have enabled the efficient long-distance transport and distribution of electricity from these clean energy bases, leading to enormous potential for the development of wind and solar energy bases in the western and northern regions, Zhou said.

To fully harness the potential of these clean energy sources, an upgraded and extensive power transmission network is imperative, he said during the 2023 Global Energy Interconnection Conference recently held in Beijing.

Expanding transmission channels and enabling the sharing of renewable resources across regions will be crucial in facilitating the development and utilization of new energy sources, he said during a recent energy event.

Established in China in 2016, GEIDCO, with the aim to build a globally interconnected smart grid with ultrahigh voltage grids as its backbone, is a nongovernmental, nonprofit international organization with member firms, associations, institutions and individuals dedicated to promoting sustainable development of energy worldwide.

GEIDCO currently has 1,305 members in 142 countries achieving global coverage of the five continents, while China has become a significant force in promoting the global transition to green energy and international energy cooperation.

Several transnational interconnection projects, such as those involving China-Republic of Korea, and China-Myanmar-Bangladesh, have witnessed positive progress.

According to Zhou, as wind and solar power generation are subject to fluctuations and uncertainties, China's new type of power system is still confronted with several challenges — the lack of flexible adjustment mechanisms in the bases' power systems, the distances of clean energy bases from loading centers, limited transmission channels and the need to enhance grid capacity.

It is recommended to prioritize the development of wind and solar energy bases in the Gobi and other desert regions and promote collaborative development in regions in Southwest China to achieve large-scale development of clean energy resources, optimize their distribution on a wide scale and promote efficient utilization, he said.

According to Xin Baoan, chairman of GEIDCO and executive chairman of State Grid Corp of China, global energy interconnection can help upgrade the traditional energy system that has heavily relied on fossil fuels and improved intelligence and efficiency.

Considering the current situation and future challenges, it's crucial to actively promote global energy transition to ensure that everyone has access to abundant and affordable green energy, he said.

Xin said the State Grid is looking forward to working with partners to deepen exchange and cooperation, seek progress in GEI development and drive energy transition and sustainable development.

During the conference, GEIDCO signed 11 cooperation agreements with the Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy of Egypt, the Ministry of Energy of Malawi, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, the IEEE, the Association of Power Utilities of Africa, the International Hydropower Association and other institutions on further practical cooperation in technology, training and projects.