China's First Cascade Water-Photovoltaic-Storage Power Station Put into Operation

The Chunchangba Pumped Storage Power Station in Southwest China's Sichuan Province, the first cascade power station in China integrating water and photovoltaic power generation and storage, has been put into operation.

It is also the country's first variable speed constant frequency (VSCF) pumped storage generator unit that has gone into full load operation.

Builders pose for a photo to mark beginning of operation of the Chunchangba Pumped Storage Power Station in Sichuan Province. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]

Located in the Chunchangba Hydropower Station, the newly-operated pumped storage power station is a demonstration of the country's small-sized distributed photovoltaic and cascade hydropower combined power generation technology research project.

The project includes three parts: the upper reservoir and the water diversion system of the Chunchangba Hydropower Station, the lower Sanguanqiao reservoir, and a VSCF pumped storage generator unit. 

A view of the Chunchangba Pumped Storage Power Station in Sichuan [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]

Upon operation, the pumped storage power station is expected to have an annual economic benefit of 112.22 million yuan ($16.67 million), increasing annual photovoltaic power output by 2.25 million kilowatt-hours.

The power volume equals that obtained by burning about 909 metric tons of standard coal, and represents a reduction of 2,273 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, which will contribute to safe and reliable power supply to affected areas while guaranteeing protection of the surrounding environment.

The station is being invested and built by POWERCHINA Hydropower Development Group Co., Ltd and designed by Chengdu Engineering Corporation Limited, both subsidiaries of Power Construction Corporation of China.

(Executive editor: Wang Ruoting)