Integration of renewable resources in East China Grid

Abstract

East China Grid is a branch of the State Grid Corporation of China that operates the largest regional power grid in China which provides electricity to four provinces and Shanghai, about 258 million people. As the national leader in the development of offshore wind farms and nuclear power plants, East China Grid is also the primary receiving end of national ultra-high voltage backbone power grids. However, intermittent outputs by renewable sources and inflexible ultra-high voltage direct current together threaten the viability of maintaining reliable and high-quality electric service for consumers. This paper proposed practical ways for East China Grid Corporation to absorb renewables as much as possible under its high proportion of coal-fired power plants. It shows that pumped hydropower plants still have potential to help more about peak-regulation but require market incentives. And the nuclear power plants in East China Grid which equal half of nationwide nuclear capacity, will contribute significantly via load-following operation.