Authors David F.
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China's Ultra-High Voltage Lines - Thread
1/14
China is building the world's most advanced UHV grid right now.
UHV lines are good for carrying power over long distances. The high voltage level reduces line loss. But they are very expensive to build.
China's UHVDC Network now:
2/14
In the rest of the world, UHV lines have generally been used sparingly. Submarine power cables (e.g. connecting UK to mainland Europe) and some huge hydropower projects in Quebec are some notable exceptions.
China is building UHV lines on a scale never seen before.
3/14
So why is China different? Geography plays a huge role. China's load centers are in the coastal East and South, while the best wind, solar, and hydro resources are in the North, Northwest, and Southwest. Power (esp. RE) is being generated far from where it's needed most.
4/14
In the past, poor regional interconnectivity has been a big contributor to low offtake levels of renewable energy. Of course a glut of coal power also played a role. Curtailment has improved in recent yrs tho. I discussed regional grids before:
5/14
UHV lines provide a inter-region backbone to transport power hundreds or thousands of km across the country. The UHVDC lines are used for the longest distances, while UHVAC lines are used for shorter distances, often within the same regional grid.
China's UHVAC lines now:
1/14
China is building the world's most advanced UHV grid right now.
UHV lines are good for carrying power over long distances. The high voltage level reduces line loss. But they are very expensive to build.
China's UHVDC Network now:
2/14
In the rest of the world, UHV lines have generally been used sparingly. Submarine power cables (e.g. connecting UK to mainland Europe) and some huge hydropower projects in Quebec are some notable exceptions.
China is building UHV lines on a scale never seen before.
3/14
So why is China different? Geography plays a huge role. China's load centers are in the coastal East and South, while the best wind, solar, and hydro resources are in the North, Northwest, and Southwest. Power (esp. RE) is being generated far from where it's needed most.
4/14
In the past, poor regional interconnectivity has been a big contributor to low offtake levels of renewable energy. Of course a glut of coal power also played a role. Curtailment has improved in recent yrs tho. I discussed regional grids before:
China Power Sector For Dummies- Part 1: Grids and Dispatch - Getting Smarter
— David F. (@pretentiouswhat) August 18, 2020
1/10
First, Chinese doesn't have a national grid, at least not in the way that small countries do. There are 6 regional grids (N, NE, NW, E, C, S). State Grid runs 5 of them and Southern Grid runs 1.
5/14
UHV lines provide a inter-region backbone to transport power hundreds or thousands of km across the country. The UHVDC lines are used for the longest distances, while UHVAC lines are used for shorter distances, often within the same regional grid.
China's UHVAC lines now: