possible. To allocate its hydro, wind and solar
resources optimally, China must develop
long-distance, large-capacity and low-loss power
transmission technologies.
(2) Medium- and long-term development of
China’s grid
The separation of energy resources from load
centres determines the development pathway of
the grid. China now has six AC synchronous
power grids: North China-Central China, East,
North-east, North-west, South China, and Tibet,
which operate according to jurisdiction and grid
requirements. Connection between these grids
and the ability to allocate energy resources are
weak.
State Grid Corporation of China has issued a
national grid development plan in which China
will optimise its six regional power grids into
two UHV synchronous grids characterised by
clear sending-receiving terminals and AC-DC
coordinated development in the medium and
long terms. The two grids are: West (North-west
and Sichuan, Chongqing and Tibet), East (North,
East and Central China; Heilongjiang; Jilin and
Liaoning; and Inner Mongolia).
68
The two grids will enable the coordinated
generation and bulk UHV transmission between
regions of hydropower and thermal and of wind
and solar power. This will allow clean energy to
be deployed and used at scale in west China and
to be consumed efficiently and sustainably in east
China.
6.4.5 Strategy and Policies
for Long-Distance Power
Transmission
(1) Strategic positioning
Long-distance power transmission is the key to a
modern electricity-centred energy system. China
is faced with energy security challenges,
including shortage of fossil fuels, rising demand
for energy and import dependency. In addition,
pollution is becoming more and more serious.
The way to overcome these challenges is by
following the electricity-centred energy strategy.
This will give full play to electricity’s role as an
energy conversion hub, allowing multiple types
of energy to be converted into power and used
efficiently. In an electricity-centric China, power
transmission will reduce the need to transport
primary energy and allow renewables to be
integrated and transmitted at scale, ultimately
replacing fossil energy.
Long-distance power transmission is a sector
in which China can exercise its Go Out strategy.
China has the largest number of UHV projects in
the world. It has UHV engineering experience
and expertise, a strong UHV product R&D programme, and experience in delivering huge
transmission projects. It has world-class UHV
technologies and production capacity. Thanks to
the smooth delivery and operation of Belo Monte
in Brazil and other overseas projects, China’s
UHVDC technology is yet another national
business card alongside high-speed rail.
China also dominates the development of
international UHV standards. Three Institute of
Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
UHV standards, developed under the leadership
of China, have been published in recent years:
the Guide for Voltage Regulation and Reactive
Power Compensation for Systems of 1,000 kV
AC and Above (IEEE P1860), the Guide for
On-Site Acceptance Tests of Electrical Equipment and System Commissioning of 1,000 kV
AC and Above (IEEE P1861), and the Recommended Practice for Overvoltage and Insulation
Coordination of Transmission Systems at
1,000 kV AC and Above (IEEE P1862).
The IEEE UHVAC Power Transmission System
Technical Committee, founded in 2013 and
chaired by China, significantly strengthens China’s influence in the field of global grid standards. The fact that China’s UHV standards have
become international ones means that China’s
UHV technologies are internationally advanced.
Long-distance power transmission is an
important facilitator of China’s Belt and Road
Initiative (BRI), enabling power interconnection
68
http://www.sgcc.com.cn/xwzx/gsyw/2015/12/330711.
shtml.
Special Report 3: A Study of China’s Technology Revolution
365
resources optimally, China must develop
long-distance, large-capacity and low-loss power
transmission technologies.
(2) Medium- and long-term development of
China’s grid
The separation of energy resources from load
centres determines the development pathway of
the grid. China now has six AC synchronous
power grids: North China-Central China, East,
North-east, North-west, South China, and Tibet,
which operate according to jurisdiction and grid
requirements. Connection between these grids
and the ability to allocate energy resources are
weak.
State Grid Corporation of China has issued a
national grid development plan in which China
will optimise its six regional power grids into
two UHV synchronous grids characterised by
clear sending-receiving terminals and AC-DC
coordinated development in the medium and
long terms. The two grids are: West (North-west
and Sichuan, Chongqing and Tibet), East (North,
East and Central China; Heilongjiang; Jilin and
Liaoning; and Inner Mongolia).
68
The two grids will enable the coordinated
generation and bulk UHV transmission between
regions of hydropower and thermal and of wind
and solar power. This will allow clean energy to
be deployed and used at scale in west China and
to be consumed efficiently and sustainably in east
China.
6.4.5 Strategy and Policies
for Long-Distance Power
Transmission
(1) Strategic positioning
Long-distance power transmission is the key to a
modern electricity-centred energy system. China
is faced with energy security challenges,
including shortage of fossil fuels, rising demand
for energy and import dependency. In addition,
pollution is becoming more and more serious.
The way to overcome these challenges is by
following the electricity-centred energy strategy.
This will give full play to electricity’s role as an
energy conversion hub, allowing multiple types
of energy to be converted into power and used
efficiently. In an electricity-centric China, power
transmission will reduce the need to transport
primary energy and allow renewables to be
integrated and transmitted at scale, ultimately
replacing fossil energy.
Long-distance power transmission is a sector
in which China can exercise its Go Out strategy.
China has the largest number of UHV projects in
the world. It has UHV engineering experience
and expertise, a strong UHV product R&D programme, and experience in delivering huge
transmission projects. It has world-class UHV
technologies and production capacity. Thanks to
the smooth delivery and operation of Belo Monte
in Brazil and other overseas projects, China’s
UHVDC technology is yet another national
business card alongside high-speed rail.
China also dominates the development of
international UHV standards. Three Institute of
Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
UHV standards, developed under the leadership
of China, have been published in recent years:
the Guide for Voltage Regulation and Reactive
Power Compensation for Systems of 1,000 kV
AC and Above (IEEE P1860), the Guide for
On-Site Acceptance Tests of Electrical Equipment and System Commissioning of 1,000 kV
AC and Above (IEEE P1861), and the Recommended Practice for Overvoltage and Insulation
Coordination of Transmission Systems at
1,000 kV AC and Above (IEEE P1862).
The IEEE UHVAC Power Transmission System
Technical Committee, founded in 2013 and
chaired by China, significantly strengthens China’s influence in the field of global grid standards. The fact that China’s UHV standards have
become international ones means that China’s
UHV technologies are internationally advanced.
Long-distance power transmission is an
important facilitator of China’s Belt and Road
Initiative (BRI), enabling power interconnection
68
http://www.sgcc.com.cn/xwzx/gsyw/2015/12/330711.
shtml.
Special Report 3: A Study of China’s Technology Revolution
365