State Grid Releases Action Plans for Carbon Neutrality

State Grid Corporation of China (State Grid) released an action plan on peaking carbon dioxide emissions and carbon neutrality on March 1, intending to promote diversified, clean and low-carbon energy supply and highly-efficient and reduced energy consumption.

Build clean energy optimal allocation platform

According to the action plan, State Grid will build a clean energy optimal allocation platform by accelerating construction of the smart power grid and increasing cross-regional clean energy transmission.

Such emerging technologies as big data, cloud computing, the internet of things, the mobile internet, artificial intelligence and blockchains will be promoted in information collection, perception, treatment and application to improve data sharing and measure the value of all kinds of energy.

The company aims to primarily build an internationally-leading energy internet.

To promote coordinated development of power grid operation at all levels, State Grid encourages localized utilization of new energy.

It will improve the main power grid in Northwest and Northeast China and speed up construction of main power lines of the high-voltage alternative current (AC) projects in Southwest China's Sichuan Province and Chongqing while maintaining safe and highly-efficient operation of cross-regional direct current (DC) transmission projects.

Moving eastwards, following the power generated in western regions, the company will expand ultra high voltage (UHV) AC power grid networks in North and East China, build UHV backbone lines in Central China and construct a resource optimal allocation platform integrating wind, fire, wind and solar power to improve the grid's clean energy capacity.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), State Grid plans to build seven circuits of UHV DC power transmission lines, which will increase power transmission capacity by 56 million kilowatts.

By 2025, cross-regional power transmission by the company is expected to be 300 million kW, half of which will be clean energy.

Developing supporting power grids for wind and solar power generation as well as connecting electricity produced by hydropower and nuclear power are also highlights.

The company intends to increase total installed capacity generated by wind and solar power to more than 1 billion kW and hydropower and nuclear power-generated installed capacity to 280 million kW and 80 million kW by 2030.

Participate in carbon market construction

State Grid will also make efforts to construct new energy consumption market mechanisms and provincial power spot markets.

The company has launched various kinds of trading methods like bundled trades of wind, fire, water and solar power-generated electricity and trades of power generation rights to enlarge cross-regional transfer of new energy.

Improving carbon asset management capacity is also being emphasized. The company will establish a complete carbon emission management system, develop emerging business in the carbon market and build green and low-carbon brands.

Focus on innovation, digitalization and intelligentization

With a focus on the national target for peaking carbon dioxide emissions and carbon neutrality, State Grid will enhance development of technologies related to power system construction and safe and stable operations.

It will also beef up research and development of technical equipment for UHV and flexible DC transmission lines mainly used for new energy-generated power.

What's more, the company will keep an eye on upgrading and application of virtual power plants and building an energy digital economic platform involving data about coal, oil, gas and electricity as well as other energy-related matters in the entire industrial chain.

It will push forward the new business of carbon asset management, carbon trade and green finance as well as digital economic development of the energy field to serve construction of the national smart energy structure.

(Executive editor: Wang Ruoting)