Belt and Road Initiative with Global Energy Interconnection

Abstract

Belt and road initiative delivers an idea for Global Energy Interconnection (GEI) as globally interconnected strong and smart grid based on Ultra-High Voltage (UHV). Global Energy Interconnection is an infrastructure platform that can be used for clean energy production, transition and consumption worldwide. GEI facilitate efforts to meet global power demand with clean and green alternatives as low carbon energy. GEI is promoting integration of energy, information and transportation networks, enlarging global power trade, ensuring universal electricity service. GEI optimizes resource allocation and utilization by converting various energy sources including coal, oil, hydro, wind and solar into electricity and transmitting over long distance. It can achieve mutual support and free trade of clean energy from different regions, and maximize energy efficiency and economy by taking advantages of time-zone, seasonal and price difference. Actually, Global Energy Interconnection is a system that consist of “Smart Grid”, “UHV Grid” and “Clean Energy”. Smart Grid integrates modern smart technologies with respect to advanced power transmission, smart control, new energy integration and new energy storage. UHV Grid is mainly composed of 1000 kV (and above) AC and +-800 kV (and above) DC transmission lines, featuring long transmission distance, large capacity, high efficiency, low line loss, less land use and high security. The shaping up of GEI can be divided into three phase: domestic, intra-continental and intercontinental interconnection. UHV Grid result is visible in already tested in practice transmission lines of DC and AC voltage. Over 20 UHV networks have been built in China. There is one network longer than 2000 km in Brazil, and two networks of UHV in India.