On September 23, construction began on the Hexian-Xiangyang Expressway transportation and energy integration project developed by Gezhouba Group Transportation Investment Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of China Energy Engineering Group Co., Ltd.
This project marks Anhui Province’s first major photovoltaic project in highway construction and is China’s first expressway to integrate transportation and energy with “simultaneous design, construction, and operation”. It sets a new standard for the green transformation of national transportation infrastructure.
The project aims to transform the Hexian-Xiangyang Expressway into a green and low-carbon highway model with electrified energy use, green energy supply, and intelligent management. The project plans a total installed capacity of approximately 8.524 megawatts. It is expected to generate about 8.48 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, reducing approximately 4,170 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, saving about 2,586 tons of standard coal, and providing sufficient green electricity for the infrastructure and vehicles on the route. This project will develop an intelligent micro-grid system that ensures efficient, stable and green power supply and distribution.
By leveraging AI algorithms, the system optimizes energy allocation based on varying demands along the expressway, such as peak hours in service areas during the daytime, continuous tunnel lighting at night, and stable power supply for communication equipment along the route. This approach enhances energy efficiency and ensures reliable power supply.
To address the complex terrain at the tunnel entrances, the project effectively includes a “photovoltaic corridor” to better integrate transportation and energy. These photovoltaic modules are seamlessly integrated with the tunnel environment, maximizing idle space for solar power generation while maintaining traffic safety. This corridor not only creates a unique scene that integrates technology and ecology, but also expands the supply channels for clean energy. Ultimately, it achieves the organic unity of traffic security, energy development, and environmental beautification. To the complex terrain areas such as mountains and hills, it also provides a new example for the coordinated development of transportation and energy.
(Executive editor: Wang Ruoting)
