Photo: The acceptance inspectors are checking the operation status of the protection devices.

On November 20th, the State Grid Bortala Power Supply Company mobilized its employees to the construction site of the 100,000-kilowatt heat storage solar thermal power project, which is part of a larger 900,000-kilowatt new energy initiative in the Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture. The team actively assisted customers in identifying and resolving defects, expediting the commissioning of the "Chasing the Light" project.

This ambitious project is part of the second batch of market-oriented, grid-connected new energy initiatives in the autonomous region for 2022, boasting a total installed capacity of 1 million kilowatts and an investment of 6.2 billion yuan. Currently, the photovoltaic installation, with a capacity of 900,000 kilowatts, along with two supporting booster and collection stations, has been completed and is undergoing project acceptance inspections. Meanwhile, the solar thermal power generation component, rated at 100,000 kilowatts, has entered the final stages of civil construction, with the main equipment purchased and installation gradually commencing.

To facilitate the grid connection for this project, the company has established a "one-stop" service workstation for new energy grid connections in the Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture. This initiative includes a dedicated internal and external responsibility mechanism, assigning specific individuals to oversee grid connection services. The company has implemented "one-on-one" tracking services to monitor project progress and provide guidance in overcoming challenges faced by new energy power stations during the grid connection process.

During the acceptance inspection, the company's specialists in substation maintenance, metering, power dispatching, and control conducted thorough inspections of various equipment, including type selection, structural integrity, secondary wiring, and relay protection devices at the new energy power stations. They also provided face-to-face guidance on power transmission plans and operational maintenance regulations.

"This project is the largest new energy initiative currently under construction in the Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, and the solar thermal power station is the first of its kind in the area," explained Li Juan, supervisor of the Mode Planning Office at the Power Dispatching and Control Center. "Unlike photovoltaic power generation, which cannot produce electricity at night and is susceptible to weather fluctuations, solar thermal power generation offers continuity and stability. It features a short startup time, deep peak shaving capabilities, and low start-stop costs."

Once commissioned, the project will alleviate peak shaving pressure on the power grid, enhance the new energy transmission capacity of the Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture power grid, and improve the overall power supply during evening peak hours.

The photovoltaic component of the project is expected to be commissioned in December, which will elevate the total installed capacity of new energy in the Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture power grid to over 3 million kilowatts. The solar thermal component is slated for commissioning in the first half of 2025, providing a guaranteed power supply of 100,000 kilowatts and significantly bolstering the Bole power grid's capacity during peak evening hours. Upon full commissioning, the project is projected to generate an annual on-grid electricity volume of 2.04 billion kilowatt-hours, saving approximately 620,000 tons of standard coal and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by around 1.69 million tons each year.