Shenzhen Hopewind Electric Corporation Limited
Recently, China’s first grid-forming wind-solar-storage integrated system applied in substations for real-time power supply assurance -- the Houhai No. 3 (Chunhui Substation) Demonstration Project -- was successfully put into operation. Led by Shenzhen Power Supply Bureau and jointly developed by Hopewind Electric, Tsinghua University and other partners, the project marks a significant breakthrough in the integration of grid-forming energy storage technology with urban distribution networks.
Relying on the Guangdong Provincial Major Flagship Project “Research on Key Technologies and Equipment for Grid-Forming Energy Storage Converters”, the project carries out demonstration and verification of innovative solutions centered on grid-forming converters. As the Shenzhen Grid-Forming Energy Storage Engineering Research Center, Hopewind Electric provided independently developed string-type grid-forming energy storage converters, which, with advanced power electronics and control technologies, offer strong technical support for the application of grid-forming technology in high-load-density urban receiving-end power grids.
Urban Microgrid: Setting a New Benchmark for Power Supply Reliability and Innovation in Distribution Networks
The Houshai No. 3 (Chunhui Substation) Demonstration Project is a carbon-neutral urban substation located in the core area of the “Science and Technology Innovation Axis” in Nanshan District, Shenzhen, the Houhai Financial Base, and the middle section of the Shenzhen Bay Coastal Leisure Belt, adjacent to Shenzhen’s landmark buildings such as the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center, China Resources Tower, Shenzhen Metro Group Headquarters Tower, and Shenzhen Bay Area.
The substation deeply integrates wind energy, solar power, and energy storage technologies with its exhibition hall’s power supply system, forming a localized intelligent energy microgrid with active grid-supporting capability. Driven by grid-forming technology, it achieves integrated intelligent regulation and optimized operation among wind, solar, storage, and the substation’s internal loads. This project breaks away from the traditional model in which substations rely solely on the external power grid or a single energy source. By leveraging local renewable energy and energy storage systems, it provides the substation with a highly reliable, green, low-carbon, and cost-effective power supply solution.
Shenzhen Power Supply Bureau has also established an exhibition hall within the substation, featuring demonstrations of wind, solar, and energy storage technologies, as well as advanced technologies such as grid-forming energy storage. With the theme of promoting the gradual transition of local power grids toward carbon neutrality, the hall is designed as an attractive science popularization base for power culture. Inside the exhibition, Hopewind Electric’s grid-forming energy storage converters are on display, highlighting the company’s innovative capabilities.
Technological Core: Paradigm Shift from Grid-Following to Grid-Forming
In urban central districts, where high-end industries are concentrated and load density is high, requirements for power supply reliability and power quality are extremely stringent. In addition to scenarios such as wind, solar, energy storage, and virtual power plants, emerging demands and new applications continually arise, placing greater challenges on grid stability and flexibility. Grid-forming energy storage technology is a powerful solution to this challenge. By introducing this technology, microgrids upgrade from the traditional “grid-following” passive response mode to a “grid-forming” mode capable of actively establishing and maintaining voltage and frequency, providing a solid and reliable foundation for the entire power system.
As the core equipment of grid-forming energy storage systems, Hopewind Electric’s independently developed grid-forming energy storage converters play a crucial role. With features such as fast autonomous voltage and frequency regulation, strong transient overload capacity, and seamless grid-connected/islanded switching, they strengthen the safety barrier for stable operation of the power system.
Upon completion, the project will realize multiple key functions and value improvements:
1. Seamless Integration of Grid Power and Clean Distributed Energy
The system enables seamless switching between the utility grid and clean distributed energy sources, actively supporting the smooth transition of local power grids toward carbon neutrality. It helps the substation achieve zero-carbon, intelligent, and high-end development, while also optimizing power quality.
2. High-Reliability Power Supply through Millisecond-Level Response
Leveraging the millisecond-level response capability of grid-forming energy storage combined with advanced grid-connected/islanded control strategies, the system can seamlessly switch in the event of grid outages, providing stable power to various devices within the region and ensuring highly reliable electricity supply.
3. Autonomous and Self-Healing Capabilities
The system possesses autonomous operation and self-healing capabilities, allowing it to operate independently from the main grid. It can intelligently coordinate distributed energy sources such as solar PV and wind with energy storage to achieve internal energy self-balancing and optimized scheduling. In the event of internal or external grid faults, the system can automatically detect and isolate the fault, switch the energy storage system on or off, and fully function as an emergency power source without human intervention, rapidly restoring supply and significantly improving power reliability.
4. Scalability for Future Demands
The system is designed with excellent scalability, able to accommodate new scenarios and additional loads in the future without impacting existing grid operation.
The successful commissioning of the grid-forming wind-solar-storage demonstration project at the substation highlights the strength and achievements of multi-party collaboration in the wave of the energy revolution, writing a new chapter in China’s energy technology innovation. Looking ahead, Hopewind Electric will continue to deepen industry-academia-research cooperation, advance the R&D and application of grid-forming technology, and support the integrated development of “source-grid-load-storage” in distribution networks. Through more innovative products and solutions, it aims to strengthen the safety barrier of the new power system and contribute to China’s energy transition.
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