CSG Wins National First Prize for Progress in Science & Technology

Beijing - The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council held a National Prize for Progress in Science and Technology awarding ceremony here on January 8 and President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and other party and state leaders attended the ceremony and presented awards to the winners.

During the ceremony, China Southern Power Grid was awarded first prize for the ±800 kV UHVDC Transmission Project which was spearheaded by academician Li Licheng, a director of CSG's Expert Committee.

In addition, CSG also earned second place honors for its decade-long technological innovation in ultra-large-scale AC/DC power grid and its application in the West-East Electricity Transmission Project. Based on the two above-mentioned technological tributes, CSG has completed 17 channels for the West-East Power Transmission Project.

Throughout Year 2017, CSG transmitted 202.8 TW•h of electricity from West to East China, saving 50 million tons of coal, equivalent to eliminating 140 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions and one million tons of sulphur dioxide emissions.

From "Created by China" to “Led by China", UHV Technology Becomes a Model of China’s “Going Global”

UHVDC power transmission technology, which is previously “created by China" and now "led by China", is pivotal to boosting the transformation and upgrading of China’s energy industry and the construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

"Could China create something that doesn't exist in other countries? Does China have the determination to create it?” queried Mr. Li Licheng.

According to Mr. Li, China's electric power industry, at present, has to rely on independent innovations “to remain in its current leadership role within global core technology and standards, or else it will not take its rightful place as a dynamic leader in the global electric power industry”.

He added, "In the past, we needed to introduce ±500 kV DC power transmission technology from foreign countries. However, in the application of this technology, we encountered a series of barriers. In this regard, we were revolved to make breakthroughs in researching ±800kV DC power transmission technology so that our country could remain a leader in this field. Winning this first place award symbolizes the breakthroughs we have made in properly serving our nation”.

Mr. Li explained that through the joint efforts of China Southern Power Grid and its 160 units, a series of “thorny” challenges in UHV technology such as equipment manufacturing and system control were addressed … with 73 kinds of major electrical equipment under 13 categories developed with 54 items of national standards and 38 items of industrial standards formulated.

“No longer does China need to introduce and learn UHV technology from other countries. Rather at China Southern Power Grid, we are making innovations and taking the global leadership role in these fields, which means China has eliminated the technological blockade set by Western countries and earned its ‘voice’ in the UHV industry”, said Mr. Li.

Twelve UHVDC power transmission projects are currently in operation and two more are under construction with 0.22 TW of converter capacity, 25,000 kilometers of transmission lines and 0.1106 TW of transmission capacity.

More than 80% of the electric power transmitted by these projects comes from “clean” renewable energy such as solar or wind and are expected to become the “arteries” of China’s energy transmission.

CSG's Ultra-large-scale AC/DC Power Grid Technology Sets a New World Standard

The Total of 17 Channels in the West-East Electricity Transmission Project Symbolizes the Zenith of China’s Energy Transportation

CSG's Ultra-large-scale AC/DC power grid technology is a world leading project which successfully paves the way for parallel AC/DC power transmission over a long distance in high capacities and positions China as a global innovator in the field of large-scale power grid technology.

Mr. Li Qingkui, Board Chairman, China Southern Power Grid said that, “CSG will make great efforts to promote the sustainable development of the West-East Electricity Transmission Project, optimizing the distribution of resources between Eastern and Western China and contribute to building a more environmental friendly and beautiful China”.

Mr. Cao Zhi'an, Board Director and President of CSG, noted that China Southern Power Grid, as one of the centrally administered State Owned Enterprises, was a “driving force of national technological innovation and technical advancement in the power industry, and that it must fulfill the historical mission of improving China’s capability of independent innovation and building China into an innovation-driven country by acting as a pioneer and principal player in innovation”.

CSG has independently created a set of technology in the management and control of large-scale power grid, ensured safe and stable power grid operation for 15 consecutive years and enhanced the capability of controlling risks and managing complex power grid.

CSG has transmitted 202.8 TW•h in Year 2017 and by Year 2010, it is estimated to increase the transmission capacity to 62GW in the West-East Electricity Transmission Project.

During Year 2017, renewable energy resources such as solar and wind accounted for 50.2% electricity generated by CSG, the largest proportion across the country.

Technological innovation has turned to be the engine underpinning CSGs move toward becoming a world-class enterprise.

By the end of November 2017, CSG obtained 10,506 valid patents and rose from 40th place in Year 2015 to 19th place in the list of centrally-administered state-owned enterprises.

China Southern Power Grid has significantly improved its patent quality, with the proportion of invention patents rising from 15.5% to 34%.

Since the “12th Five-Year Plan” period, CSG has undertaken 27 national key research programs and completed 19.

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