Since 2010, the State Grid Xinjiang Electric Power Research Institute has been developing a renewable and complementary energy system in its office park. This initiative aims to address diverse energy needs while promoting energy efficiency, low carbon emissions, and a greener environment.
A key feature of this system is the ground-source heat pump central air conditioning. This technology minimizes electricity usage by transferring energy and storing it across seasons. In winter, the heat pump draws geothermal energy from the ground to heat office buildings. In summer, it releases indoor heat into the ground to cool the spaces.
Li Ji, a specialist in peak carbon, neutrality, and energy storage technology at the institute, explained, “Today, while Urumqi’s outdoor temperature is 32°C, our office building maintains a comfortable 26°C indoors thanks to the ground-source heat pump central air conditioning.” He added that this system reduces pollutant emissions by over 40% compared to air-source heat pumps.
In 2013, the institute further enhanced its office park by installing three small wind turbines: one with a 10-kilowatt capacity and two with 5 kilowatts each. Additionally, 162 photovoltaic panels, each with a 10-kilowatt output, were placed on the office building roofs. Together, these installations generate about 200 kilowatt-hours of green electricity per hour, making the park self-sufficient in electricity.
In 2023, the park added a photovoltaic charging shed with a 120-kilowatt capacity. The shed is equipped with a mobile energy storage device and a vehicle-to-grid interactive charging pile for new energy vehicles. “This mobile energy storage device can be easily relocated and is crucial for emergency rescue operations,” Li Ji said. He highlighted its advantages over traditional emergency vehicles, including its self-charging capability and versatility in various scenarios.
To further integrate various energy sources, the research institute has also introduced electric boilers, high-efficiency absorption heat pumps, and alkaline electrolysis water hydrogen production tanks.
The institute’s renewable energy system has been adopted in the Urumqi Ganquanpu Economic Development Zone. The office park will soon open its doors to primary and middle school students, aiming to educate them about electric power and energy conservation, as well as showcase related technologies and promote carbon reduction initiatives.