The Dunhuang Shouhang Energy-Saving Tower Molten Salt Solar Thermal Power Station is in operation. [Photo provided to Chinadaily.com.cn]
The Jiuquan power grid in Gansu province recently surpassed 3 million kilowatts of new energy storage capacity, marking an impressive year-on-year increase of 98 percent.
The growth was driven by a 500 MW/1,000 MWh standalone energy storage project developed by Ningsheng New Energy in Jiayuguan that went into operation on Dec 30. The project is expected to strengthen the grid's regulation capability and improve its capacity to integrate renewable energy.
The Gansu Yumen megawatt-level wind power base in the Gobi Desert. [Photo provided to Chinadaily.com.cn]
Jiuquan, located in the heart of the Hexi Corridor with ample wind and solar resources, has deployed energy storage technologies such as lithium and flow batteries, molten salt, compressed air, and flywheels to reduce the volatility and intermittency of renewable energy and improve grid efficiency and stability.
State Grid Jiuquan Electric Power Company has advanced the application of renewable energy at the city level. In 2025, it worked to build a modern, zero-carbon smart distribution network for Dunhuang, a county-level city under Jiuquan, through a combination of measures, including the complementary use of wind, solar, hydropower and energy storage, flexible dispatch across provincial, municipal, and county-level grids, intelligent and digital upgrading of the distribution network, and enterprises' participation in the green power market. As a result, Dunhuang achieved a year-round, citywide green power supply for the first time.
The Dunhuang International Convention and Exhibition Center's "Zero-Carbon" modern smart distribution network demonstration project integrates a hybrid AC/DC microgrid with photovoltaic power generation, energy storage systems, charging stations, and energy management systems. [Photo provided to Chinadaily.com.cn]
Dunhuang has three solar thermal power plants in operation, including those developed by Shouhang Hi-Tech Energy, with a combined installed capacity of 270,000 kilowatts, according to State Grid Dunhuang Electric Power Company.
Dunhuang is one of three cities nationwide selected to pilot a 100 percent renewable energy application, said Gou Jian, director of the command center at the Dunhuang company.
Staff from State Grid Dunhuang Electric Power Company inspect equipment at the Shouhang Hi-Tech Solar Thermal Power Station. [Photo provided to Chinadaily.com.cn]
"In 2025, Dunhuang generated 4 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity from new energy sources," Gou said. "Of the total, 749 million kilowatt-hours were consumed locally, while the remaining 3.25 billion kilowatt-hours were transmitted to Hunan province through the Shazhou 750-kilovolt substation, the city's only power transmission channel, and delivered via the Qishao ultra-high-voltage direct current line."
"After achieving a year-round green power supply across the entire city, Dunhuang will play a demonstrative role in building Gansu's comprehensive new energy demonstration zone and provide a reference for renewable energy development in cities along the Silk Road," Gou said. "It will also offer experience for energy structure adjustment and coordinated regional development in western China."
Source: By Hu Yumeng and Ma Jingna, chinadaily.com, Jan. 05, 2025 [https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202601/05/WS695ba104a310d6866eb3211a_2.html]