ABB's ultra-high voltage direct current transmission technology helps my country integrate clean energy into the power grid

ABB’s Power Grids business recently signed an agreement with State Grid Corporation of China to provide advanced HVDC converter transformers and high-voltage equipment for three ±800kV ultra-high voltage DC transmission projects, helping to connect hydropower, wind power and photovoltaic power generation to the grid while reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

"As China has made significant progress in epidemic prevention and control, the Chinese economy is recovering, and we are very pleased to see that demand for reliable and clean energy is gradually picking up," said Claudio Facchin, President of ABB's Power Grids division. "ABB's leading UHV transmission technology will continue to support China in building a stronger and greener power grid. We are confident in the strong resilience of the Chinese economy."

The world's leading transmission line

These three UHV DC transmission lines are all world-leading projects with a transmission capacity of up to 8,000 megawatts, which can meet the electricity needs of China's approximately 8 million people.

The Ya'an-Nanchang UHV DC transmission channel is 1,700 kilometers long and is part of China's "West-to-East Power Transmission" strategy. The project will deliver Sichuan's abundant hydropower clean energy to the load center in Jiangxi. After completion, it is expected to reduce standard coal consumption by about 16 million tons and carbon dioxide emissions by about 40 million tons per year.

The Shaanxi-Wuhan UHV DC transmission project is 1,100 kilometers long and marks another milestone for the State Grid Corporation of China in developing global UHV DC system standards. The Qinghai-Henan UHV DC transmission project is 1,500 kilometers long and is a UHV transmission channel designed specifically for the transmission of clean energy such as solar energy and wind energy.

As part of the comprehensive solution, ABB Power Grids will provide key products and technologies including HVDC converter transformers, wall bushings, capacitor banks, tank type circuit breakers and HVDC switches to ensure reliable, efficient and smooth transmission of electricity over long distances and distribution to local grids, improve power quality and minimize power losses.

ABB Power Grids – Leader in UHV DC transmission technology

In 2010, ABB Power Grids provided key technologies for the State Grid Corporation's first UHV DC transmission project, the Xiangjiaba-Shanghai UHV DC transmission project. The project is 2,000 kilometers long and has a transmission capacity of 6,400 megawatts, transmitting hydropower from the southwest to bustling Shanghai. Since then, ABB Power Grids has cooperated with the State Grid Corporation in a number of key projects to jointly promote the development of long-distance transmission technology. At the same time, it has helped China achieve its energy security goals and promote economic and social development.

UHVDC transmission technology is key to interconnecting regional, national and intercontinental power grids, helping to efficiently transmit large amounts of clean electricity over long distances. Compared with traditional AC transmission, UHVDC technology can reduce transmission losses by up to 40%. This means less energy waste, more electricity for end users, and significantly reduced carbon emissions.

Taking the Qinghai-Henan UHV DC transmission project as an example, after the project is put into operation, it is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 30 million tons per year, equivalent to the carbon emissions of 6 million small passenger cars.