The 2024 Beijing International Wind Energy Conference is currently underway, and what stands out this year is the emphasis on green and low-carbon principles. For the first time, the event has proudly introduced themed showcases focused on hydrogen energy, new energy storage solutions, and offshore engineering and equipment, all closely tied to the development of wind power.
As reported by CCTV journalist Gu Junling, “This model represents a green hydrogen and green ammonia project located in Chifeng. It effectively addresses the instability in the output of wind and solar power through energy storage devices. With a new power system, this park produces green hydrogen and green ammonia, making it the world’s only operational project of its kind.”
Liu Yimin, head of product lines for Envision Energy’s wind turbines, shared, “We are building a new power system based on networked wind turbines. This allows us to couple wind, solar, and energy storage with green ammonia production, tackling significant cost challenges for zero-carbon green hydrogen development, with an expected cost reduction of 25%.”
Continuing on the topic, Gu Junling likened the spinning wind turbine blades to a dancer’s flowing sleeves. He explained that the pitch control system of the world’s largest land-based 15-megawatt wind turbine acts as a choreographer, adjusting the angle of the blades to optimize wind capture and enhance energy generation efficiency. “Especially during unprecedentedly strong typhoons, this system can reduce the wind-facing area by changing the blade angle, helping to protect the entire turbine from severe damage.”
This year’s exhibition also features a new showcase dedicated to wind and solar recycling. Gu Junling elaborated, “By cutting and breaking down retired blades, and then applying heat treatment, we can extract the primary component—fiber glass—for recycling and reuse.”
Cheng Gangqi from the China Resource Recycling Association’s Wind and Solar Recycling Committee noted, “In the first three quarters of this year, 396 wind turbines were successfully decommissioned and processed across the country, recycling nearly 50,000 tons of resources, including scrap steel, copper, magnets, and composite materials. The recycling of wind power equipment makes the development of green energy even greener.”
As for the broader wind energy landscape, the conference highlighted that China is making significant strides. The world’s largest wind turbine, the longest blades, and the tallest towers are all products of China’s innovative progress.
In April, the National Development and Reform Commission, the National Energy Administration, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs jointly issued a notice to kick off the “Harnessing the Wind Action in Thousands of Villages.” In August, the National Energy Administration’s General Office released guidelines for the overall plan of this initiative. “Harnessing the Wind Action” aims to integrate wind energy with rural revitalization and the rural energy revolution, propelling rapid growth in China’s wind power sector.
Qin Haiyan, Secretary-General of the Wind Power Committee of the China Renewable Energy Society, pointed out, “China’s wind energy development has two prominent characteristics: a shift towards deep offshore technology and increasing turbine capacity. With a focus on the future demand for offshore wind power, China’s wind industry has entered a positive phase, providing favorable support for global zero-carbon energy development.”
(Reported by CCTV journalists Zhu Jiang, Gu Junling, and Wang Haidong. Edited by Li Yan.)
