On January 7, 2025, Huadian Laizhou's large-scale saline-alkali tidal flat photovoltaic and storage integration project located on the shore of Bohai Bay was officially put into operation. This photovoltaic energy storage project with a total installed capacity of 1,000 megawatts is currently the largest tidal flat photovoltaic energy storage power station in China, with an annual power generation capacity of 1.442 billion kilowatt hours, which can meet the annual electricity demand of about 500,000 households. The successful commissioning of the project marks an important step in the field of renewable energy in China, and at the same time provides a new benchmark case for the development of global green energy.
Technological innovation drives efficient operations
Huadian Laizhou project adopts a number of advanced technologies to build an efficient and stable integrated photovoltaic and storage system.
1. PERC bifacial PV modules
The project installed PERC (Passivated Emitter and Backside Contact) bifacial photovoltaic modules, which are able to generate electricity by absorbing light from the front and back, increasing the overall efficiency by about 3%-5%. At the same time, the module has strong resistance to salt spray corrosion, which is very suitable for saline-alkali tidal flat environment.
2. Efficient energy storage system
The supporting construction of 200 MW/400 MWh electrochemical energy storage system effectively solves the problem of fluctuation of photovoltaic power generation. The energy storage system can store excess power when the light is sufficient and release the power during peak demand periods or when the light is insufficient, ensuring a stable energy supply.
3. Intelligent monitoring and O&M
The project deploys an advanced digital monitoring and operation and maintenance system, which can monitor power generation efficiency, battery status and environmental data in real time, optimize system performance through big data analysis, and greatly reduce operation and maintenance costs.
Figure: Huadian Laizhou saline-alkali tidal flat photovoltaic storage project was put into operation
Economic benefits and regional development
Huadian Laizhou project has significant economic benefits, and has successfully realized the deep integration of photovoltaic power generation and regional economy.
1. Energy revenues
The average annual power generation of the project reaches 1.442 billion kWh, and the annual income can be about 562 million yuan based on the electricity price of 0.39 yuan per kWh, which has injected continuous impetus into the local economic development.
2. Innovate the "salt and light complementation" model
The project uses the space under the photovoltaic panels to develop salt production, and maximizes the utilization of tidal flat resources through brine injection and ecological aquaculture. This model not only increases the value of land, but also provides a diversified way for local residents to increase their income.
3. The driving effect of the industrial chain
During the construction of the project, more than 2,000 jobs were directly created, and at the same time, the development of upstream and downstream industrial chains such as photovoltaic equipment manufacturing and energy storage technology research and development was promoted, helping the diversification and high-quality development of the regional economy.
Social impact and demonstration effect
As one of the third batch of large-scale wind power and photovoltaic bases in China, Huadian Laizhou Project has important demonstration significance in promoting the transformation of energy structure and promoting green development.
1. Address energy needs
The project provides clean electricity to the North China power grid and reduces dependence on traditional fossil fuels. At the same time, the successful implementation of the project demonstrates the feasibility of large-scale renewable energy projects under complex geographical conditions, and provides a template for other tidal flat resource-rich areas.
2. Promote employment and improvement of people's livelihood
The project provides a large number of employment opportunities during the construction and operation phases, which not only alleviates the local employment pressure, but also improves the living standards of residents through economic driving effects.
3. International cooperation and technology export
The technical practice of Huadian's Laizhou project has laid the foundation for Chinese renewable energy companies to expand in the international market, especially in countries and regions along the "Belt and Road", and can provide experience and technical support for energy development under similar climatic conditions.
Environmental benefits and sustainable development
Huadian Laizhou project has achieved remarkable results in environmental protection, and has strongly promoted the sustainable development process of the region and even the whole country through large-scale clean energy production.
1. Significant emission reduction effect
The project can save 444,000 tons of standard coal, reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 1.2 million tons, and reduce sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides by 230.8 tons and 258.1 tons respectively every year, greatly improving regional air quality and making positive contributions to the realization of China's "double carbon" goal.
2. Ecological and environmental protection measures
A number of ecological protection measures have been taken during the development of the project, such as using the existing Yantian cofferdam to optimize the PV layout and minimize the disturbance to the tidal flat ecosystem. In addition, through the rational planning of the drainage system and land restoration, the long-term stability of the wetland and water resources environment around the project is ensured.
3. Multi-dimensional ecological benefits
The project further explores the balanced path of clean energy development and ecological restoration, promotes the transformation of tidal flat areas from "saline-alkali wasteland" to "economic highland", and provides a valuable practical sample for global ecological energy development.
Policy support and industry prospects
The successful commissioning of Huadian's Laizhou project benefited from the multi-dimensional support of the national and local governments.
1. Policy dividends
In recent years, China has intensively introduced policies to support the development of renewable energy, such as the "14th Five-Year Plan for Renewable Energy Development", which clarifies the goals and paths for the development of photovoltaic, energy storage and other technologies, and provides policy guarantees for large-scale photovoltaic and storage integration projects.
2. Local support
The Shandong Provincial Government has provided a favorable policy environment for the implementation of the project by optimizing the approval process, integrating land resources and providing special subsidies. This model of government-enterprise cooperation provides a model for similar projects to be replicated in other regions.
3. The future development trend of the industry
With the advancement of energy storage technology and the improvement of the carbon market, the economics and investment attractiveness of renewable energy projects will be further enhanced. In the future, the integrated photovoltaic and storage project will play an important role in the energy Internet and smart energy system, and become one of the core forces of China's energy structure transformation.
Conclusions and prospects
The successful commissioning of Huadian's large-scale saline-alkali tidal flat photovoltaic and storage integration project in Laizhou is a model of technological breakthrough and industrial practice in the field of renewable energy in China. This project not only provides strong support for the transformation of China's energy structure, but also provides experience for the development of global green energy.
Looking ahead, with the continuous progress of technology and the optimization of the policy environment, the renewable energy industry will take new steps in the direction of scale and intelligence. Huadian Laizhou Project will continue to play an exemplary role in promoting China's transformation from an "energy power" to an "energy power", and contribute more Chinese strength to the realization of the global clean energy vision.
