by: Jessica Ferreira
China is at the technological forefront of electricity development and has provided the world with experience and practices in electricity innovation, according to a report released on the sidelines of a conference held recently in Beijing.
At a subforum of the second high-level conference of the Global Action Forum for Shared Development, the Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization (GEIDCO) released the Global Electricity Development Index Survey.
The sub-forum was dedicated to energy transition and sustainable development and was organized by GEIDCO, an international non-profit organization based in Beijing, dedicated to promoting the development of sustainable energy around the world.
Guan Xiupeng, deputy director of GEIDCO’s general office, informed that China’s vast territory, with diverse geographical features such as deserts, forests, plateaus and permafrost areas, has an impact on economic and social development.
The research report mentioned that China is at the forefront of technology in new energy generation, ultra-high voltage (UHV) power transmission, flexible direct current transmission and the digitization and intelligence of electrical systems.
The UHV technology has found its place in Brazil, with State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC), a major state-owned utility company, applying the technologies and experience acquired in China to the South American country, including the 800kV UHV direct current transmission technology, which sends electricity from the Belo Monte hydroelectric plant in the state of Pará to major cities such as Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.
The megaproject, recognized in 2019 as the best socio-environmental management practice in Brazil, crosses a vast area, stretching more than 2.000 km over tropical forests and rivers, to supply the energy consumption of around 22 million people, around 10% of the Brazilian population.
To date, 180 billion kWh of hydroelectric power have been supplied by the project, which is equivalent to saving 64 million tons of standard coal or reducing CO2 emissions by 170 million tons.
