A tech consortium, led by a state-owned energy conglomerate, is spearheading the construction of an offshore “integrated energy island” in southern China. This ambitious green power project has been identified by experts as one of the country’s top 10 most challenging engineering endeavors for the year.
According to China News Services, China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) announced on November 22 its plans to build this innovative facility off the coast of Guangdong province. The project aims to explore the potential of deep-sea renewable energy and its applications.
In recent years, China has been prioritizing the development of offshore wind power and floating solar farms as a means to harness green energy from the sea. This approach also helps to conserve valuable land resources. However, as the demand for renewable energy grows, it has become necessary to expand these facilities further into the ocean to avoid disrupting important shipping lanes, ports, and fisheries.
Chinese researchers have been studying the feasibility of constructing deep-sea integrated energy islands as part of the country’s renewable energy strategy. The proposed man-made island would be connected to large deep-sea offshore wind turbines and would serve as a hub for various energy-related activities. These include storing and utilizing the electricity generated for seawater desalination, hydrogen production, and the production of hydrogen-based derivatives. These clean energy products could then be transported back to the mainland for use.
This innovative project not only showcases China’s commitment to green energy but also demonstrates its technological prowess in tackling complex engineering challenges. With its potential to provide sustainable solutions for energy production and storage, the integrated energy island is set to revolutionize the renewable energy sector. Stay tuned for more updates on this groundbreaking project.