Powering change: China’s decarbonization revolution in action

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Powering change: China’s decarbonization revolution in action

China is a powerhouse; there’s no denying it. More than being a manufacturing and technology giant, China is making a monumental shift in its energy landscape, and the world is taking notice. In a bold bid to combat climate change, China is driving an electrifying decarbonization revolution – redefining how energy is generated, consumed, and delivered. What’s even more captivating? This transformation is already happening, in real time. From phasing out sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆), the most potent greenhouse gas used in switchgear, to embracing renewables on an unprecedented scale, China is positioning itself as a leader in the global race toward sustainability.

With such a complex and evolving landscape, how is China navigating this shift, and what lessons can we take from this high-stakes journey? Let’s explore this remarkable journey and discover how it’s reshaping not only China’s grid, but also the future of the planet. In the latest Power Pulse podcast episode, I unpack this exciting transformation in depth, so if you’re interested to learn more, tune in to “How can China’s energy leadership shape the grid of the future?”

The journey from coal to clean

For decades, coal has been the backbone of China’s energy system. Even today, more than 50% of the country’s electricity still comes from coal-fired power plants. But that’s changing. Fast.

China now leads the world in renewable energy growth, investing more in solar, wind, and hydropower than any other country. In 2023 alone, China added more solar capacity than the rest of the world combined. Just picture this: every hour, China installs enough solar panels to cover several football fields!

Wind power is another success story in this exciting journey. China’s vast landscape - especially in northern and western areas such as Inner Mongolia and along its coast – provides the perfect setting for massive wind farms. The country now generates more wind power than Europe and North America combined.

This rapid shift isn’t just about the need for energy security – it’s part of a bigger and bolder plan to reach peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.

The urgent push for decarbonization

China’s energy transition isn’t just about adding renewables. It’s also about modernizing its power grid, improving efficiency, and cutting emissions at every level.

One major challenge? The country still has a huge industrial base and a fast-growing demand for electricity. Simply adding renewables won’t be enough; the grid itself needs an upgrade to handle the variability of solar and wind power. That means:

Moving away from SF₆ and why it matters

In the quest for decarbonization, China is starting to confront one of the biggest culprits of climate change – SF₆. This gas, commonly used in high-voltage switchgear, is a powerful greenhouse gas but has a global warming potential of 24,300 times greater than CO₂.

For years, SF₆ played an essential role in ensuring the reliability and safety of the electrical grid. However, with the world’s growing focus on climate change, the environmental impact of SF₆ has become increasingly difficult to ignore. China, with great ambitions for a more sustainable future, is making the decisive move to eliminate SF₆ from its grid.

1. Adopting SF₆-nitrogen gas mixtures
   In some instances, China is using a mixture of SF₆ and nitrogen. This mixture reduces the amount of pure SF6 used and is a big step forward in reducing the total amount of the gas, as nitrogen acts as a diluent, helping lower the concentration of SF₆ used in high-voltage equipment. This approach is particularly useful in older infrastructure that has not yet fully transitioned to SF₆-free alternatives.
2. Much stricter SF₆ leakage regulations
   SF₆ leakage has become an increasing concern in recent years due to the high global warming potential of this gas. As a result, China has introduced stricter regulations and monitoring measures for SF₆ leakage than ever before. The country is implementing tighter controls on SF₆-based high-voltage equipment, requiring regular leak checks and maintenance to ensure minimal emissions. Companies are now mandated to use leakage detection systems to track and reduce SF₆ emissions, ensuring that any leaks are quickly addressed to prevent long-term environmental harm.
3. Decarbonizing the grid with Hitachi Energy’s EconiQ^® technology
   China is also exploring innovative solutions such as Hitachi Energy’s SF₆-free EconiQ high-voltage portfolio, a reliable and scalable solution with the lowest carbon footprint. The EconiQ technology is a real game-changer in the world of high-voltage switchgear. These projects aim to prove that C4-FN-based gas mixtures are the way forward in eliminating SF₆ from power grids.
   
   
   • China’s first EconiQ SF₆-free 420 kV dead tank circuit breaker
     Hitachi Energy will supply this innovative solution to State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC), the world’s largest utility company. This marks an important step in decarbonizing the grid and aligns with the country’s target of achieving carbon neutrality. 
   • China’s first EconiQ retrofill solution for 550 kV gas-insulated lines
     Hitachi Energy is collaborating with CHN Energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their operations with the world’s first retrofill that replaces SF₆ with an eco-efficient gas mixture in existing equipment.

What’s next? The road ahead to China’s future grid

China’s energy transformation is one of the most ambitious in history and it’s poised to set a powerful global precedent. As the country advances toward a more sustainable energy future, the emphasis is on ensuring that the grid can handle renewable energy integration, meet growing electricity demands, and withstand the challenges posed by climate change. To achieve this, the country is not only focusing on making the grid more sustainable but also on enhancing its capacity and reliability.

A key part of this shift is embracing SF₆-free high-voltage solutions like EconiQ. As renewable energy sources like solar and wind become more central to power generation, the need for a sustainable and efficient high-voltage infrastructure that can connect, and balance energy supply and demand becomes even more crucial.

China’s vision of a stronger grid positions the country as a global leader in energy innovation, showing the world that a clean and reliable energy future is within reach, setting a benchmark for what’s possible in the ongoing journey to a net-zero world.