New power grid, all relying on "wind and solar"? Unveiling the new power system

In your life, are you promoting such behaviors through actions: turning off lights, walking more during commuting, and trying not to use disposable items... If so, congratulations, you are contributing to the country's "dual carbon" goals. Under the "dual carbon" vision, a new power system came into being. Next, let's learn about this golden key to open the door to "dual carbon".

What’s new about the new power system?

First, the new power generation structure. **The new power system refers to the shift from traditional coal-based power generation to new energy-based power generation. In layman's terms, it means using less or even no coal and oil, and using electricity wherever possible.

Secondly, the new is in stable operation. With a high proportion of new energy connected to the grid and a high proportion of electrified equipment being used in large quantities, this "double high" situation will lead to great risks and challenges in the safe and stable operation of the power system. Because new energy is indirect, random, and volatile: solar energy generates electricity during the day and not at night, generates more electricity on sunny days and less on cloudy days; wind power generates more electricity when the wind is strong and less electricity when the wind is weak. These electricity are affected by the seasons and are changing all the time. New energy is like a naughty child, and the new power system after construction has a very strong regulation and absorption capacity, which can make this "naughty child" obedient.

Third, the new power grid is new. The new power system introduces the concept of distributed power sources and microgrids, which is like giving everyone the right to produce and consume electricity. You can install solar panels on your roof, generate electricity yourself, and share the excess electricity with other friends.

Why was this project settled in Guangshui City?

In Guangshui City, Hubei Province, known as the "Gateway to Northern Hubei", there is a new power system that uses 100% wind and solar energy for power supply. There is no precedent for a county-level power system that uses 100% wind and solar energy as power sources in the country or even in the world.

Why was this project located in Guangshui City, Hubei Province? Because the wind from the north blows directly into the city, and the sunshine time is sufficient, and it belongs to the first-level solar energy resource utilization area in Hubei Province.

Guangshui's 100% new energy new power system utilizes local resources for local consumption and local balance, achieving 100% independent new energy power supply in Guangshui County. The supply area is 418 square kilometers, with a population of over 200,000, making it the largest in the world.

This system can operate independently, but is its relationship with the main power grid really "one part, two parts"? No. There is a switch between it and the main power grid, called an energy router, which is similar to the Wi-Fi router used at home. When the router is turned on, it "joins hands" with the main power grid, and when it is turned off, it "breaks up" with the main power grid.

Is the new power system different from the traditional power grid?

Traditional power grids can only operate in one direction, from transmission - transformation - distribution - to thousands of households. However, Guangshui's 100% new energy system is more like a two-way love: when wind power and photovoltaic power are not enough to supply local power, electricity is drawn from the large power grid; when local wind power and photovoltaic power are in surplus, electricity can also be sent back to the large power grid.

The ultimate goal of the new power system is to achieve decarbonization of the power system, and Guangshui's 100% new energy system is just one example. It is conceivable that in the future, under the new power system, the sky will be bluer, the water will be clearer, the mountains will be greener, and our living environment will be better.

(The speaker is an employee of Hubei Oriental Excellence Culture Media Co., Ltd.)