In a significant milestone for China’s energy sector, the State Grid Xinyuan Hebei Fengning Pumped Storage Co., Ltd. announced on August 12 that the country’s first large-scale AC excitation variable-speed pumped-storage unit has officially gone into operation. This pioneering unit, known as Unit 12 at the State Grid Xinyuan Hebei Fengning Pumped Storage Power Station, successfully completed a 15-day trial run and began formal operations on August 11.
The introduction of this unit marks a pivotal advancement in the application of large-scale variable-speed pumped-storage technology in China. This development is expected to play a crucial role in enhancing technical research in this field, bolstering grid regulation capabilities, and advancing the construction of new power systems across the nation.
Located on the Luan River in Fengning Manchu Autonomous County, Chengde City, Hebei Province, the State Grid Xinyuan Hebei Fengning Pumped Storage Power Station is the largest of its kind globally, with a total installed capacity of 3.6 million kilowatts. The station houses 12 pumped-storage units, each with a capacity of 300,000 kilowatts. Notably, two of these units are large-scale variable-speed models, representing the first such installations in China.
Variable-speed units differ from traditional fixed-speed units primarily in their generator rotors and excitation devices. The key innovation lies in the AC excitation device, which is central to the variable-speed unit’s ability to operate at different speeds. Unlike traditional DC excitation pumped storage units, which maintain a constant speed post grid connection and lack adjustable pumping loads, these new variable-speed units offer more flexible responses to the energy storage demands of the grid.
Looking ahead, the power station plans to expedite the installation and commissioning of Unit 11, aiming to have all 12 units fully operational and generating electricity by the end of the year. Once complete, the power station is projected to generate 6.6 billion kWh annually, providing enough electricity to meet the needs of 2.6 million households.
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