On December 13, 2024, the highest solar thermal energy storage ratio project in China, the China General Nuclear (CGN) Delingha 1 million kilowatt solar thermal energy storage integrated project, has achieved full capacity grid connection for its 800,000 kilowatt photovoltaic power generation section.
CGN Delingha 1 Million Kilowatt Solar Thermal Energy Storage Integrated Project's 800,000 Kilowatt Photovoltaic Power Generation Project
Located in the photovoltaic (solar thermal) industrial park of Delingha City, Haixi Prefecture, Qinghai Province, the project combines photovoltaic power generation with solar thermal molten salt energy storage technology, with a total installed capacity of 1 million kilowatts. The project's energy storage ratio is as high as 25%, making it the highest solar thermal energy storage ratio project under construction in China. The 800,000 kilowatt photovoltaic power generation section that has been grid-connected this time adopts an overall design scheme of "distributed power generation, centralized grid connection," and is connected to the power grid through the newly built 330 kilovolt booster station. Additionally, it is equipped with a 200,000 kilowatt solar thermal energy storage power generation section, which is the largest single tower solar thermal project in the country.
CGN Delingha 1 Million Kilowatt Solar Thermal Energy Storage Integrated Project's 330 Kilovolt Booster Station
As the largest new energy demonstration project in Qinghai Province that uses thermal storage-type solar thermal power plants as peak load power sources, the project can achieve a storage duration of 6 hours and play a significant role in peak load regulation and frequency modulation in the power system. The absorption tower and main plant of the project's 200,000 kilowatt tower solar thermal section were successfully topped off at the end of October, with the installation progress of the heliostats exceeding 50%.
Li Guangming, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Director, and General Manager of China General Nuclear New Energy Holdings Co., Ltd., a vice chairman unit of CSTA, stated that the project has good technical safety, ecological adaptability, grid friendliness, and technological demonstration. It is of great significance for optimizing the regional power structure and promoting local economic and social construction. After full completion and commissioning, the project is expected to generate an annual power output of 1.8 billion kilowatt-hours, equivalent to saving about 550,000 tons of standard coal consumption, and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by about 1.3 million tons, with significant economic benefits and ecological and environmental benefits.
