Hengqin high-efficiency energy system sets example

The Zhuhai Hengqin Integrated Smart Energy project, operated by Hengqin Energy Development, is now a China DES (District Energy in Cities) Initiative Demonstration Project due to its multi-generation system capable of supplying electricity, heat, cold, steam, and water.

The title was granted at the China Enterprise Directors Association (CEDA) 2017 & 8th China's DES System Operation & Promotion Seminar on Sept 28 and 29.

Plans call for five areas in Hengqin New Area to be distributed with nine stations accessible to centralized cooling energy supply. The first four -- 1, 3, 7 and 10 -- use electric, ice thermal storage, and lithium bromide absorption refrigeration systems, each boasting complementary advantages. The #3 Energy Station became operational in May 2016 for the Hengqin Port service area.

The present-stage plan cost nearly 5 billion yuan ($749 million) with the goal of total installed capacity reaching 450,000 tons of refrigeration.

According to a local official, the pilot project is of significance in creating an "Eco-Island" and "Low Carbon Island" in the Hengqin Free Trade Zone (FTZ). Its innovations bring about successful supply-side structural reform in the energy sector of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Zhuhai Hengqin Energy Development keynote address [Photo courtesy nanfangplus]

Moreover, the developer is seeking production-education-research cooperation and relying on cutting-edge big data and cloud computing technology to build an energy-efficient Internet + smart energy demo project. Partners include high-tech listed company Tsinghua Tongfang Co Ltd and Gree Electric Appliances, a world-famous international air conditioning enterprise, along with elite schools.

Hengqin Energy Development was established in 2015 to deliver green-utility services for all municipal and commercial premises. It is a joint venture between SPIC (State Power Investment Corp) Guangdong Electric Power Co Ltd and Zhuhai Da Heng Qin Investment Co Ltd. It has developed more than 80 membership customers and serviced 11 members by providing 200,000 tons of refrigeration.