en.Wedoany.com Reported - Recently, as a key component of the national first batch of "Desert, Gobi, and Barren Land" large-scale base projects—the Luxu DC 1.4 GW power transmission project of the Jixi Base—the Dian Tou Lv Neng Tongyu Jidian 100 MW solar thermal project successfully completed two major milestones: the steam turbine cylinder closure and the first successful reverse power transmission of the plant's auxiliary power system. As a world-leading pioneering project constructing a tower-type solar thermal power station in a high-latitude cold region above 45°N, this project has accumulated valuable engineering experience for expanding solar thermal power generation technology to higher latitudes and colder areas in China and globally. It is also the first solar thermal power station of State Power Investment Corporation in the Northeast region. The achievement of these two milestones marks the completion of the main installation works and the full connection of the power system, laying a solid foundation for subsequent overall startup and grid connection.
The Tongyu solar thermal project is located in Tongyu County, Jilin Province, with an installed capacity of 100 MW. It adopts tower-type molten salt technology, equipped with an 8-hour thermal energy storage system and a 40 MW electric heater. Upon completion, it is expected to generate approximately 167 million kWh of electricity annually, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 140,000 tons per year.
The steam turbine generator unit is the "heart" of a solar thermal power project, and its installation precision directly affects the long-term stable operation of the unit. The steam turbine cylinder closure, as the most critical milestone in the installation process, signifies that all key procedures—from foundation treatment, shim placement, and baseplate leveling, to bearing inspection, cylinder assembly, load distribution, and precise shaft alignment and flow clearance calibration—have been completed to high standards, with all acceptance indicators meeting requirements. The company organized meticulous planning with all participating units, ensuring the successful completion of this high-risk, high-precision task through strict technical and safety controls, comprehensive process management, and enhanced supervision, laying a solid foundation for subsequent work.
Shortly after the "heart" was in place, the project reached another key milestone—at 17:17 on June 7, the first reverse power transmission of the plant's auxiliary power system was successful. This operation successfully introduced 35 kV power from the photovoltaic area into the solar thermal plant via a standby transformer, stably powering all 6 kV and 380 V equipment across the plant, and completing a comprehensive verification of the correctness of the high and low voltage electrical system wiring in one go.
The achievement of this milestone not only opened the "power artery" for project production but also provided a reliable power supply guarantee for subsequent individual commissioning, subsystem joint debugging, and long-term stable operation of equipment.
Throughout the project construction, the company consistently coordinated efforts across three dimensions: design, construction, and management. System efficiency was improved through design enhancements such as main steam pipe stress optimization and heliostat field shading optimization. A smart construction site was built using 31 high-definition cameras and a facial recognition system. Safety defenses were strengthened through a grid-based responsibility zone and VR experience area. Quality assurance was maintained by adhering to "model guidance and sign-off acceptance."
The project integrates the construction and operation of wind, photovoltaic, and solar thermal power. It achieved a significant breakthrough in the field of molten salt electric heating—China's first use of a 40 MW, 6 kV direct-connection molten salt electric heater, changing the industry's traditional practice of using 380 V/660 V low-voltage resistance heating.
This system offers several leading advantages: First, it connects directly to the 6 kV high-voltage grid, eliminating the need for step-down transformers and low-voltage distribution cabinets, significantly reducing investment and land use. Second, its power distribution efficiency reaches 99.7%, effectively suppressing heat loss from high-current lines. Third, it features an innovative "header-type" bushing circulation structure, eliminating local overheating risks and extending component life. Fourth, the single-element quick disassembly design supports tube replacement within half a day without shutdown, improving system availability. Fifth, the fully welded shell with integrated hot and cold end heat tracing is adapted to the harsh cold environment of Northeast China.
This high-voltage direct-connection energy storage solution can absorb approximately 20 million kWh of curtailed wind and photovoltaic power annually, converting green electricity into thermal energy stored in molten salt for power generation, functioning as a "giant molten salt power bank." Its successful application marks that China's new energy large-scale bases have reached a leading national level in high-voltage direct-connection molten salt electric heating, providing a replicable "Tongyu model" for equipment selection in desert, gobi, and barren land large-scale base energy storage.
Viewed from above, over 19,000 heliostats form a spectacular "mirror forest" on the vast grasslands of western Jilin. With the "heart" beating strongly and the "arteries" supplying ample power, the project is accelerating toward the goal of full-capacity commissioning.
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