On the second day of the visit, the group spent the whole day on a variety of interactive activities at the 2 x 300 MW environmentally friendly Ledong coal-fired power plant. These included a half-day technical seminar and an on-site tour to learn about the development of energy technology in Mainland China.

The seminar presented the latest technologies in smart energy, environmental protection, energy transition, and high-voltage direct current (HVDC), which are key enablers for reaching carbon neutrality.

The presentation on HVDC gave an account of the 545 kV DC project in Zhangbei. It introduced the design breakthrough of the DC transmission system components, including the converter valves and high-voltage DC circuit breakers, and also examined the integration of the HVDC system with renewable energy generation for flexible and stable power supply and control.

With the future application of this advanced HVDC technology, Hong Kong may benefit from this green power from the Mainland China.

The group also learned about the unique features of the Ledong Power Plant, including the solar photovoltaic system on the roof to reduce carbon footprint, the energy storage for power output regulation to improve the overall efficiency of the plant, and the seawater desalination facility to help meet the water demands of the power plant and peripheral areas.

With regard to energy storage, the system uses lithium-ion batteries with a total capacity of 20 MW / 20 MWh. This helps to rapidly smooth out the intermittent operating nature of renewable energy generation and the fluctuating power demand. This is one of the innovative solutions that Hong Kong can explore to enhance its grid resilience.

We enjoyed this technical visit especially because it provided the group with valuable insights and inspiration that can be immediately translated into actionable ideas for the betterment of Hong Kong.

We would like to thank all those receiving parties which made this visit possible, including A6 Alliance - Integrated Intelligent Energy Professional Committee, China Energy Longyuan Environmental Protection Co Ltd, Ledong Power Station, Boao Near-Zero Carbon Demonstration Zone, and Qionghai China Power Environmental Power Generation Co Ltd.