China’s commitment to advancing new quality productive forces is exemplified by its focus on the new energy sector, particularly evident in east China’s Anhui Province. Wu Bin provides insights into the province’s innovative approach to utilizing new energy sources, particularly in powering air-conditioning systems.
In regions like Anhui Province, where summers are hot and winters are cold, the demand for air-conditioning is indispensable. However, meeting this demand often entails significant energy consumption. To address this challenge, Anhui Province is pioneering the use of shallow geothermal energy as a sustainable solution.
At the heart of this initiative lies a groundbreaking energy station, situated approximately nine meters underground. This station utilizes a network of giant tubes to harness and distribute energy efficiently throughout the city, effectively serving as a large-scale underground air-conditioning system.
Established in 2019, the energy station represents one of China’s pioneering regional green energy initiatives. With building owners covering approximately three million square meters signing up to utilize this innovative energy system for their air-conditioning needs, the benefits are twofold: reduced carbon emissions and enhanced efficiency.
According to Wang Yuchao, Head of the Designing and Research Institute at Hefei Thermal Power, the system’s advantages stem from its low-carbon emissions and high efficiency. By eliminating the need to burn coal or natural gas, the system achieves both environmental sustainability and cost-effectiveness. It can produce five units of heat while consuming only one unit of electricity, showcasing its remarkable efficiency.
The environmental benefits of this initiative are substantial, with an estimated reduction of almost 170,000 tons of carbon emissions expected once all signed-up areas are utilizing thermal energy. Additionally, users are experiencing significant cost savings, as evidenced by the Anhui Art Museum’s experience of reducing air-conditioning energy consumption by about 20%.
Jiang Daipin, Deputy Dean of the Anhui Art Museum, highlights the financial savings achieved through the adoption of thermal energy, amounting to approximately 500,000 yuan (about 69,000 USD) annually. Moreover, reduced equipment maintenance costs further contribute to the economic advantages of this innovative energy solution.
Beyond the energy station, Anhui Province is actively pursuing development in other renewable energy sectors, including photovoltaic generation systems. The province’s government work report outlines plans to establish photovoltaic and new energy storage industry clusters, underscoring its commitment to sustainable development.
Pan Feng, Chief Economist at the Anhui Provincial Department of Industry and Information Technology, emphasizes the province’s robust industrial foundation in the new energy sector. With ambitions to increase revenue from advanced photovoltaic and new energy storage industries by 15% in 2024, Anhui Province aims to maintain its leading position in the country’s renewable energy landscape.
Anhui Province’s concerted efforts to harness new energy sources not only contribute to environmental sustainability but also drive economic growth and innovation. With its ambitious targets and innovative initiatives, Anhui is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping China’s future energy landscape.