Power safety is crucial for national economy, public wellbeing, and social development, forming a vital part of national security.
From: China Electric Power News
Power safety is crucial for national economy, public wellbeing, and social development, forming a vital part of national security. In light of the dual carbon goals, addressing new challenges and issues arising from the construction of a modern power system is imperative. A key question emerges: How can power safety be effectively governed, and how can we balance development and safety?
On November 27, the National Energy Administration (NEA) issued the "Opinions on Strengthening Power Safety Governance to Ensure High-Quality Development of the New Power System" (document No. Guo Neng Fa An Quan [2024] 90). This marks the first national policy document aimed specifically at bolstering the governance of power system operational safety. During a recent press conference, officials from the NEA's Power Safety Regulation Department provided insights into its contents.
The Essence of the Power Safety Governance System
The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China called for strengthening the social governance system, underscoring the importance of a modernized state security framework. President Xi Jinping emphasized the significance of energy security as critical for the nation's welfare.
In recent years, propelled by the dual carbon targets, China's energy transition towards a greener and low-carbon economy has been accelerated. New energy sources and grid types are increasingly prevalent, significantly altering the structure and operation of power systems. Ensuring the safe and stable operation of these systems has become a major task for energy supply security.
According to Yan Xiuwen, Deputy Director of the NEA's Power Safety Regulation Department, the NEA has adapted to new trends by promoting a power safety governance system that integrates various stakeholders across the energy value chain.
Key Measures for Enhanced Power Safety Governance
The recent Opinions document outlines a comprehensive top-level design for systematically strengthening power safety governance. It emphasizes the urgency of building a robust governance framework and proposes 22 actionable measures in four areas: enhancing the governance system, strengthening governance capabilities, improving safety measures, and elevating the effectiveness of safety regulation.
The document introduces four guiding principles: collaboration for safety, systematic management, focus on key areas to support transition, and an approach rooted in the industry while serving broader objectives. These principles are intended to foster a collaborative governance model that addresses risks and enhances safety levels within the new power system.
Lessons from Recent Challenges
In September, Super Typhoon "Mocha" impacted the stability of power supply and operations in Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan provinces. However, through collective efforts, power supply was restored, affirming the effectiveness of coordinated governance in ensuring safety during crises. This experience highlights the importance of collaboration among government, businesses, and society in tackling power safety challenges.
As the Southern Power Grid operates across five provinces and regions, it faces crucial challenges in maintaining safety with the increasing penetration of renewable energy. Zhang Yong, Deputy General Manager of the Safety Supervision Department of China Southern Power Grid, pointed out the risks associated with the new power system, including grid reliability, supply assurance, and cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
Digital Transformation: The Future of Power Safety Governance
For high-quality development of the new power system, establishing a modern governance system and advancing digital transformation are essential. The NEA is prioritizing the integration of digital technologies into the grid, which will support the construction of a new power system.
Measures include enhancing the digital representation of the physical grid, exploring the use of artificial intelligence in operational decision-making, and improving the management of electricity loads. Moreover, the development of digital platforms for monitoring and regulating safety in power production is set to enhance overall regulatory efficiency.
The NEA official stated, "These initiatives aim to empower traditional power system construction with digital technologies, facilitating the integration of energy sectors with digital advancements. This will enhance the core competitiveness of power companies and promote high-quality development in the energy sector."