What Should We Do to Disperse Haze ?

HIMALAYAL - SHANGHAI - CHINA



Beijing and other Chinese cities have been shrouded in heavy smog in recent days. A red alert was issued in 23 cities in northern China. Residents have been told to minimize outdoor activities, and restrict vehicle usage. The cars were ordered to run on alternative days based on whether the vehicles’ license plates end in odd or even number. Classes have been cancelled in 2500 elementary schools and kindergartens.

Meanwhile, measures to reduce emissions of air pollutants are required to take, including receiving more clean electricity from the outside and reducing power generation load.   

Obviously, it is more realistic to transmit clean electricity from remote areas to northern China. In addition, the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan issued by the State Council in 2013 also puts it clear that Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei should accelerate the adjustment of energy structure and supply more clean energy. 

It is urgent to speed up the construction of UHV and electricity transmission channels, bring in clean electric power from remote regions, control total coal consumption and wipe out traditional usage methods featuring low efficiency and heavy pollution in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. 

That reminds me of 1000kV Ximeng-East Beijing-Shandong UHV project, which was just put into operation in the middle ten days of June. After that, the people and companies in northeastern China including Beijing, Tianjin and Shandong Province can use the clean electricity from eastern Inner Mongolia, greatly reducing air pollution caused by burning coal.

Thanks to Ximeng-East Beijing-Shandong UHV project, the city of Tianjin will receive up to 5bn kilowatt electricity from the outside and the proportion will reach above 30%. Each year, coal consumption will be cut by 9 million ton; 26.9 million tons of CO2 will be reduced, 810,000 ton for SO2 and 405,000 ton for nitrogen oxides.   

Of all cities, Beijing is expected to cut coal consumption by 4.5 million ton and reduce emissions of CO2, SO2 and nitrogen oxides up to 8.75 million ton, 22, 000 ton and 23,000 ton respectively each year.

In fact, the value of UHV in haze treatment cannot be overlooked in other regions besides Beijing & Tianjin & Hebei region.  

About 7 million tons of coal is saved in the city of Hubei each year thanks to Chinese first UHV project - 1000kV southeastern Shanxi-Nanyang-Jingmen UHVAC project.  

Since the 800kV Jinping-southern Suzhou UHVDV transmission project has been in service for 7 months, 9.73 billion kW.h of clean hydropower was transmitted to Sichuan province, cutting emissions of CO2 by 8.7 million ton  and emissions of SO2 and nitrogen oxides by 300,000 ton for the city of Suzhou.  

The 800kV southern Hami - Zhengzhou UHVDC transmission project, which was put into operation in Jan 2014, is able to transmit 50 billion kW.h electricity to central China, with a reduction of CO2 and SO2 by 40 million ton and 330,000 ton respectively. 

Early in 2003, the Beijing Electric Power company started coal-to-electricity project to make the best of clean electricity. By 2015, 384,500 households has undergone a transformation from burning coal to electric heating through 13 years of efforts.

The State Grid plans that “Five Vertical and Five Horizontal” UHV backbone networks and 27 UHVDC projects will be constructed by 2020, with the allocation capability up to 450 billion kW.

There is no doubt that a fundamental solution to haze problem is to accelerate the development of UHV.