Chinese enterprises explore S&T innovations for clean energy – Xinhua

BEIJING, June 23 (Xinhua) — Amid a powerful typhoon and stormy waves, a 12-megawatt wind turbine operates continuously, harnessing the power of nature to generate clean energy.

This impressive sight appeared on screens in the laboratory of Mingyang Smart Energy Group Co., Ltd., a new energy company based in Zhongshan City in southern China’s Guangdong Province, as researchers simulated the operation of wind turbines under typhoon conditions.

Typhoons often occur on China’s southeastern coast, posing a significant challenge for wind farms to avoid damage and at the same time generate more power during these storms.

“In the field of new energy, achieving typhoon-resistant wind power is similar to the challenge of landing on the moon, which requires overcoming very difficult technical barriers,” said Zhang Chuanwei, president of Mingyang Smart Energy.

Drawing on extensive operational data in typhoon zones, the company’s research and development team conducted detailed analyzes of wind speeds, directions and turbulence. “These insights have been incorporated into the designs of our turbines, ensuring they can withstand typhoons while maximizing energy production,” Zhang explained.

By 2023, more than 2,000 of the company’s smart wind turbines have been installed in typhoon-prone regions of China. When Super Typhoon Saola hit Guangdong Province last year, the company’s offshore wind turbine in the city of Zhuhai successfully withstood winds exceeding magnitude 17 while continuing to operate uninterrupted.

In addition to typhoons, Mingyang Smart Energy has pioneered innovative solutions to harness wind energy in extreme conditions. These include segmented fan blades for the mountainous Guizhou province and specialized sandstorm-resistant models for the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

China’s goals to become carbon neutral by 2030 and carbon neutral by 2060 highlight the key role of science and technology in balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability.

These efforts are exemplified by companies like Mingyang Smart Energy, which are using advanced technologies to support clean energy initiatives.

In Fuyuan County in southwest China’s Yunnan Province, digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI) have revolutionized wind farm operations.

An advanced control system, integrated with 3D simulations and real-time data analysis, enabled remote monitoring and proactive maintenance of 135 wind turbines of Yunnan International Power Investment Co., Ltd.

“On-site inspections were previously necessary, but now automated systems send notifications of potential problems,” said Peng Yiheng, a wind farm worker, highlighting the revolutionary impact of intelligent systems on wind energy management.

According to data released by the National Development and Reform Commission, over the past decade, China’s energy consumption per unit of GDP and carbon dioxide emissions have decreased by 26.2% and 34.4%, respectively. The installed capacity of wind, photovoltaic and hydropower plants ranks first in the world, which represents historic progress in ecological, low-emission and high-quality development.

Building on this remarkable progress in reducing energy intensity, the Chinese government continues to introduce new measures to encourage industries to move towards a green and low-carbon transition. Experts predict that this will trigger a S&T revolution characterized by decarbonization and promote a number of important S&T innovations.

According to Zhang Yongsheng, director of the Ecocivilization Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, with breakthroughs in big data and artificial intelligence technology, China will fully unleash the enormous potential of green development and continue to create green growth miracles.

“China is an important force in promoting renewable energy,” said Zhang Jian, vice president of Tsinghua University’s Institute of Climate Change and Sustainable Development.

“With its technology, cost advantages and scale, China is well-positioned to lead efforts to combat climate change and promote the energy transition in the future,” Zhang added. ■