Global Energy Internet clarifies "Action Roadmap"

China Energy Storage Network News: Recently, the Global Energy Interconnection Development Cooperation Organization (hereinafter referred to as the Cooperation Organization) held the "2018 Global Energy Interconnection Conference" in Beijing and released a number of achievements such as the Global Energy Interconnection "Backbone Grid" and "Development Index 2018". Experts attending the conference believe that this conference has clarified the "action roadmap" for the construction of the global energy interconnection, and suggested that the national level should increase the coordination efforts, continue to promote the construction of China's energy interconnection, and seize the commanding heights of international energy governance.

Global Energy Internet clarifies "implementation plan"

The reporter learned that more than 400 units from more than 30 countries and regions attended the 2018 Global Energy Internet Conference. The conference released 12 innovative achievements for the first time, including "Global Energy Internet Backbone Grid Research", "Global Energy Internet Development Index 2018", "Global Energy Internet Technology and Equipment Innovation Action Program 2018-2025", and "Global Energy Internet Standard System Research 2018", forming a package of solutions, operation guidelines and support systems. This is another major progress made by the Global Energy Internet after being included in the work framework of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, achieving an important breakthrough from "planning map" to "construction map", from "new concept" to "operability".

Liu Zhenya, Chairman of the Global Energy Interconnection Development Cooperation Organization, said that building a global energy internet requires strengthening top-level design and formulating global plans. To this end, the cooperation organization conducted in-depth research on more than 100 countries around the world and proposed a "nine horizontal and nine vertical" global energy internet backbone network plan and key projects for intercontinental, interregional and cross-national networking based on the energy internet plans of each continent.

In addition, in order to timely reflect the pattern of power development and promote countries to accelerate energy interconnection, the cooperation organization compiled indexes such as power interconnection of 140 countries; focusing on the key technologies and core equipment required for the construction of the global energy Internet, 54 technical equipment were proposed in 13 categories; the relevant standards of the global energy Internet were sorted out and collected, and the technical standards system formed laid the foundation for China to seize the international discourse power in the energy field.

Ministerial officials from more than a dozen countries, more than 80 heads of international organizations, academicians and experts, and heads of multinational companies who attended the meeting spoke highly of the results and expressed their active support for and participation in the construction of the global energy internet.

"The reason why the Global Energy Internet faces challenges is that there are some things we don't know how to do now. The results released at this conference clarify what work needs to be completed and what problems need to be solved in the future. The next step is to actively implement and promote them." said Michael Stirling, Chairman of the UK Science and Technology Facilities Council and Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.

Thomas Kaberg, chairman of the executive board of the Renewable Energy Association and former director of the Swedish Energy Agency, said that the ideas advocated by China have been widely disseminated internationally over the past two years, and this conference has made the vision of global energy interconnection more specific, the goals clearer, and the steps more explicit, providing policymakers in various countries with a realistic "roadmap for action", marking that the global energy Internet has truly become a feasible and operational systematic project.

Gary Lewis, Director of the Policy and Project Division of the United Nations Environment Programme, said that the "nine vertical and nine horizontal" backbone network architecture concept fully demonstrates that China is actively contributing its wisdom and taking actions to achieve the world's emission reduction goals, playing a leading role in this field.

Countries are accelerating the promotion of energy "facility interconnection"

In September 2015, President Xi Jinping proposed the construction of a global energy internet at the United Nations Development Summit. Over the past two years, the construction of a global energy internet has received widespread praise and positive responses from the international community, accelerating the transition from a "Chinese initiative" to a "world action."

"GEI is one of the most meaningful initiatives in the world in the past few years. Chinese leaders have very forward-looking thinking, but politicians in many countries in the world are very short-sighted and do not make long-term plans," said George Cole, Director-General of the United Nations Global Compact. "The biggest problem facing the world today is protectionism, and the world needs more reasonable political guidance. GEI is a key balancing force, and we hope to design mutually beneficial solutions through dialogue and cooperation."

As the first international organization initiated by China in the energy field, the Global Energy Interconnection Development Cooperation Organization has grown from 80 members covering 20 countries at its inception in 2016 to 402 members covering 61 countries. China has not only achieved grid interconnection with some neighboring countries such as Russia, Mongolia, Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar, but has also participated in and promoted the implementation of cross-border and cross-regional grid interconnection such as Ethiopia-Kenya. Experts attending the meeting said that more and more countries and organizations have seen the trend and benefits of global energy interconnection and are constantly taking action.

Khalifa, chairman of the Gulf Cooperation Council's Interconnected Grid Authority, said that against the backdrop of rising trade protectionism, China has chosen to open up to the world and cooperate with various countries in the energy field. In particular, China and Chinese companies are bringing great help to the world. For example, China's ongoing participation in African hydropower projects and the interconnection of power grids across continents have greatly alleviated local power shortages and reduced electricity prices.

Recently, the cooperation organization signed cooperation agreements with the Ministry of Energy and Mines of Argentina and the Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Electricity of Ethiopia to jointly promote the construction of the global energy Internet. So far, the cooperation organization has signed more than 20 cooperation agreements with international organizations such as the African Union, the Arab League, the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Latin American Energy Organization, the South American Energy Integration Commission, and government departments of Brazil, Chile, Argentina and other countries.

Ethiopian Ambassador to China Berhane pointed out that the governments of East African countries are vigorously promoting regional power grid interconnection. Ethiopia has signed electricity cooperation agreements with Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and Yemen, which will strengthen power interconnection across Africa and further promote the realization of global power grid interconnection.

Argentine Ambassador to China Antonio Guerrero said that he is willing to participate in promoting the construction of power interconnection and called on countries around the world, including Latin American countries, to work together to accelerate the construction of a global energy Internet.

Zhang Yibin, spokesperson for the cooperation organization, said that the cooperation organization is working with the United Nations to study and formulate the "Global Energy Internet Action Plan for the Implementation of the Paris Agreement", and the relevant results are planned to be released at the Katowice Climate Change Conference in Poland in December.

Experts suggest that China seize the commanding heights of energy governance

Experts pointed out that the development of the global energy internet has entered a strategic window period with broad support from the international community and competitive promotion by various countries. It is about to be implemented quickly, and the establishment of a global energy governance system led by my country faces a good situation. It is recommended to increase the coordination efforts at the national level, seize the commanding heights, and firmly grasp the dominant position.

Many experts at the meeting said that despite the many benefits of global energy interconnection, many governments and regulators do not understand its urgency, and some countries are still in a wait-and-see state. George Cole, the founding director of the United Nations Global Compact, admitted that there is still distrust and old thinking in the field of energy security, and many countries do not trust their neighbors. Frank Berendt, a member of the German Academy of Engineering, said that localism and protectionism are "stumbling blocks" to global energy interconnection.

Li Deshui, former director of the National Bureau of Statistics, believes that there is no technical or financial problem with cross-border power grid interconnection; the biggest obstacle is politics.

In this regard, experts suggest that, first, a work coordination mechanism should be established at the national level, the Global Energy Internet should be used as an influence carrier for China to lead the establishment of a global energy governance system, and the Global Energy Interconnection Planning Program should be used as a framework plan to promote the interconnection of energy infrastructure, so as to mobilize the government and all sectors of society to jointly promote it.