Autonomous region an important link in nation's power transmission

The sixth International Conference on HVDC (high-voltage direct current), held in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region from Aug 8-10, outlined a new blueprint for China-Central Asia energy development.

It also helped the two sides strengthen cooperation in continuous HVDC technological innovation.

Xinjiang, with its unique geographical advantages and abundant comprehensive energy resources, will increasingly highlight its position in China-Central Asia energy development and cooperation, according to the conference.

The autonomous region in Northwest China is one of the most important bases in the country's west-east power transmission program. It also serves as a major energy production base and ranks among the best in terms of solar and wind energy resources in China.

Deng Mingjiang, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and chairman of the Xinjiang Association for Science and Technology, said at the conference that by the end of this year, Xinjiang's cumulative installed capacity of new energy is expected to exceed 89 million kilowatts, making new energy the largest power source in the autonomous region.

The integration of large-scale new energy represents an important demonstration in building a new type of power system with new energy as the mainstay in China.

Experts said the key lies in creating efficient energy transmission channels that connect Xinjiang with Central Asia's power grid.

In 2010, the autonomous region connected the Hami-Dunhuang 750-kilovolt power transmission and transformation project with the national power grid.

Then in 2014, Xinjiang's first ultrahigh-voltage transmission line from South Hami to Zhengzhou was completed and put into operation.

The Changji-Guquan UHVDC transmission line became the world's highest-voltage, longest-distance, and highest-capacity project in the sector when it was completed in September 2019.

Meanwhile, Xinjiang is constructing the third UHVDC channel, linking Hami and Chongqing. It is expected to be completed by 2025, with an annual transmission capacity of more than 36 billion kilowatt-hours.

The operation of channels sending power out of Xinjiang enhances China's energy transmission capacity. It not only addresses the supply-demand imbalance of regional energy but provides a more convenient passage for Central Asian energy to enter China.

As a large-scale clean energy base planned and constructed by China, Xinjiang is rich in wind, solar, hydrogen and other resources.

In recent years, it has increased the proportion of renewable energy resources used for power generation and achieved breakthroughs in new energy technology development.

On June 30, 2023, China Petrochemical Corporation announced that its green hydrogen plant in Kuqa, Xinjiang, has begun operations.

As the largest project of its kind in China, the company's technical team has made several breakthroughs and addressed the challenges of continuous and stable supply.

It has also achieved industrial applications in complete sets of technology for electrolytic hydrogen production, intelligent control systems and other innovative achievements. Most of the major equipment and materials related to the project can be domestically produced.

This year, the "test specification for electrochemical energy storage systems connected to the power grid", mainly compiled by State Grid Xinjiang Electric Power's research institute, was approved for release.

This specification improves the domestic energy storage technology standard system, providing technical support for the healthy development of the power industry.

It also helps to promote the advancement of electrochemical energy storage technology and assists the development of new power systems toward a greener, more efficient and safer direction.

Xinjiang's rapid development in new power systems and its technological revolution in green energy and low-carbon transformation have provided valuable experience for energy development nationwide and globally.

In July 2019, for example, He Dandong, a senior expert at State Grid Xinjiang Electric Power, and six other professional technicians went to Tajikistan to participate in equipment testing for 500-kV transmission projects.

After more than a month, He and his colleagues completed equipment testing at three local substations, including one in Dushanbe, capital of Tajikistan, winning praise and recognition from local officials.

In addition to technical guidance, cooperation between China and Central Asian countries in infrastructure construction has deepened.

In Kazakhstan, Chinese enterprises have participated in the construction of a series of new energy projects. These cover wind farms and hydropower and photovoltaic power stations, effectively driving the country's low-carbon energy transition.

Li Yu, chief engineer of State Grid Xinjiang Electric Power, said the company is willing to share its experience in the construction of new power systems with Central Asian countries. It will carry out cooperative exchanges and jointly promote the clean and low-carbon transformation of the energy industry.

Fan Junhui and Li Yun contributed to this story.