State Grid Zhangbei Flexible DC Grid Test Demonstration Project Completed

On December 27, 2019, the world's first flexible DC power grid, the State Grid Zhangbei Flexible DC Power Grid Experimental Demonstration Project, was fully connected and entered the live commissioning stage. It is expected to be put into operation in the first half of 2020.

The Zhangbei Flexible DC Project is a flexible DC grid that collects and transmits large-scale wind power, photovoltaics, energy storage, pumped storage and other forms of energy. It consists of four converter stations in Zhangbei, Kangbao, Beijing and Fengning and four ±500 kV overhead DC transmission lines with a length of 666 kilometers, forming a ring network structure. Hebei Institute is responsible for the design of the 68.527-kilometer line (Baicaigou Village-Fengning Converter Station) of the project, and has undertaken special research on insulation coordination and hardware string type.

This project is a key supporting project for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. It is the world's first DC grid demonstration project with network characteristics, the world's highest voltage level and largest transmission capacity flexible DC project, and the world's first demonstration project for large-scale grid connection of land-based renewable energy using flexible DC technology. It is of great significance for innovation and scientific demonstration. After the project is put into operation, the clean electricity it will deliver to Beijing will account for about one-tenth of Beijing's total electricity consumption; and it will provide 50% of green energy for the Winter Olympics stadiums.