China's Total Installed Power Generation Capacity Exceeds That of Developed Countries Combined

By the middle of 2024, China's total installed power generation capacity will exceed 3 billion kilowatts, which is equivalent to the power generation capacity of 134 Three Gorges DAMS. This is unprecedented on a global scale. Even if all developed countries were combined, they still failed to achieve the same level of China in terms of installed power capacity.

Our energy development strategy is significantly different from that of developed countries. In some countries, such as the United States and Europe, they also attach great importance to environmental protection policies and the promotion of renewable energy. For instance, countries such as Germany and Sweden are actively promoting the "green Energy Revolution" and striving to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels, which has restricted their growth in traditional power generation capacity.

These countries have invested a large amount of funds in renewable energy sources such as wind and solar energy. Although they have also made considerable progress in environmental protection and sustainable development, they are more cautious when it comes to the growth of the total installed capacity of electricity. Meanwhile, behind the rapid growth of China's installed power capacity lies the emphasis on energy security and the demands of economic development.

Facing such a huge scale of power operation, the future development path is undoubtedly the focus of common concern for all of us - from power engineering experts to operation enterprises, and then to ordinary people. Although the future is full of uncertainties and cannot be fully predicted, we can think from multiple dimensions to anticipate and respond to the possible challenges that power development may face.

I. Current Situation and Challenges of Power Transmission and Distribution Networks
At present, the power transmission and distribution network in our country plays a crucial role in supporting the economic and social development. However, with the large-scale integration of renewable energy into the grid, the power grid is confronted with problems such as the difficulty in consuming new energy and the uneven distribution of energy. Especially against the backdrop of the rapid development of distributed energy, how to enhance the regulation capacity of the power grid and optimize the allocation of power resources has become a difficult problem before us. The national projects such as building the "Northwest Energy Base" and "West-to-East Power Transmission" are just taking shape. The power supply in Xinjiang and other places has not yet been resolved locally. The challenge of large-scale spot trading of "West Power" is not only the installed capacity but also the transmission and distribution, which is a key link.

Ii. Intelligence and Flexibility of Distribution Networks
The future distribution network will no longer be a single Power Distribution system, but will transform into a highly intelligent and flexible network platform. Our "Digital and Intelligent Strong Power Grid" is still under construction. To achieve peak shaving and valley filling in the power sector, we still need:

Further strengthen the construction of distribution networks: moderately plan ahead, optimize the grid structure, and enhance the power supply guarantee capacity.

Promote intelligent upgrading: Utilize advanced information and communication technologies to achieve observability, measurability and controllability of the distribution network.

The stability and consumption of green electricity, in the process of achieving the "dual carbon" goals, provide the power grid with more energy replenishment and replacement, and achieve sustainable development.

Iii. Integration of New Energy Storage Systems
Energy storage systems are the key to solving the problem of new energy consumption. The consumption of new energy is achieved through various forms such as wind-solar-load-storage, wind-fire-hydropower storage, and regional source-grid-load-storage integration.

Develop diversified energy storage technologies: Guide distributed new energy to rationally build new types of energy storage, such as chemical batteries, pumped storage, green hydrogen, etc.

Explore the shared energy storage model: By sharing energy storage power stations, improve the utilization efficiency of energy storage resources. This is also the fundamental reason for the current popularity of energy storage. Although the industry has shown fierce internal competition since its early stage, one example illustrates that energy storage has an irreplaceable social role:

Recently, Jiangsu Province carried out a provincial-level joint energy storage invocation, with 4.55 million kilowatts of 56 new energy storage power stations being centrally invoked.

It is equivalent to adding a 9 million kilowatt-hour "super power bank". During peak hours, it can supply electricity to 30 million households for one hour.

Hydrogen production from renewable energy and the mass production of solid-state batteries will promote more efficient energy storage.

Iv. Innovation of the Electricity Market Mechanism
The innovation of the electricity market mechanism is crucial for stimulating the vitality of the transmission and distribution network.

Improve the market trading mechanism: Clarify the market access and trading rules for new business forms to promote fair competition.

Promote the construction of the electricity spot market: Accelerate the construction of the electricity spot market, speed up the certification and trading of green certificates, and enhance the response speed and regulation capacity of the power system.

When necessary, some responsible measures can be adopted to accelerate the consumption of clean energy. The two departments have released the 2024 renewable energy consumption responsibility weights. The consumption of renewable energy power will be decomposed to key energy-consuming units, and the proportion of green electricity consumption will be measured by green certificates.

V. The Driving Role of Technological Innovation
Technological innovation is a fundamental element for promoting the new quality productivity of power transmission and distribution networks.

Strengthen technological research and development: Continuously invest in research and development to explore new power transmission technologies and materials. Special cables such as superconducting cables and environmentally friendly cables need to be further accelerated in their research and development and application.

Encourage pioneering trials: Support regions with the necessary conditions to carry out innovative practices in distribution network technologies and models.

Conclusion
Facing the rapidly developing demand for electricity, the future development of the power transmission and distribution network is not only related to the effective utilization of energy, but also to the sustainable development of the economy and the strategic security of the country. Only through continuous technological innovation and practical exploration can a clean, efficient and intelligent modern power grid be constructed. Let's look forward to and strive together to achieve a greener and smarter energy future.