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Energizing the Land of Sunshine

时间:2014-08-08 | 来源: | 作者:

  Energizing the Land of Sunshine

– Development Prospects of Tibet’s Solar Energy Industry

  Ji Jingang (China)

  Dubbed the Roof of the World, Tibet is the land closest to the sun, and there its rays are exceptionally strong. For this reason, it holds an advantageous position in developing solar energy. In a world plagued by energy shortages, global warming, and environmental contamination, the exploration and utilization of green energy have become the focus of worldwide attention. For Tibet, the development and utilization of solar energy will not only reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and protect the local ecosystem, but will also promote the autonomous region’s economic development and social stability. Moreover, the move can optimally protect the Eurasian continent’s ecosystem and climate and even make contributions to the improvement of the global ecosystem and climate.

  I. Developing New Energy Represented by Solar Power Is an Inevitable Choice for Tibet

  i. Tibet leads China and the world in reserves of solar energy resources. The annual solar radiation in most of Tibet averages 6,000 to 8,000 megajoules per square meter, doubling the average of regions at the same latitude. Meanwhile, Tibet witnesses 3,300 to 3,600 hours of sunshine per year, which also tops the country. Direct solar radiation accounts for 56 to 78 percent of total radiation in Tibet, and the figure can reach 78 percent in summer. In Lhasa, a car equipped with solar cells on its roof could power a 100-watt bulb light for 10 hours and move Tesla car six kilometers. Statistics show that annual solar radiation in Tibet can produce energy equal to 350 to 450 billion tons of standard coal. According to the Statistical Report on National Economy and Social Development 2013 released by the National Bureau of Statistics Bureau of China, the entire country consumed energy equal to 3.75 billion tons of standard coal that year. That means that Tibet’s solar radiation in 2013 is capable of producing 100 times China’s annual energy consumption.

  ii. Tibet receives strong support from national energy policies. In recent years, China has placed priority on the development of renewable energy. During the 12th Five-Year Plan period (2011-2015), China will continue diversified utilization of solar energy. It has constructed many large photovoltaic power plants in regions with rich solar energy resources including Tibet, Qinghai, Xinjiang, Gansu, and Inner Mongolia, so as to increase electricity supply for local residents. The country also encourages the construction of distributed solar power generation systems capable of integrating with public buildings. It has also measures to spread solar water heaters and encourage the use of solar energy in hot water production, air-conditioning, and high-temperature industries. Moreover, China encourages the use of solar water heaters, solar ovens, and solar greenhouses in rural areas and small towns.

  iii. Solar energy meets the realistic needs of Tibet. For a long time, farmers and herders in Tibet used cattle dung and firewood as fuel due to the lack of fossil fuels like coal. Tibet has set a goal of building a moderately prosperous society by 2020 along with other parts of China. Based the current living conditions of local farmers and herders, the government of Tibet Autonomous Region has formulated basic standards for a moderately-prosperous society: All residents have access to electricity, paved roads, water, postal services, telecommunications, and radio and television signals. However, a lack of energy supply, especially electricity, hinders Tibet from achieving these goals.

  Tibet also suffers from a fragile ecosystem and sparse population, with a population density of 1-2 persons per square kilometers in rural areas. Moreover, rural families consume much less electricity than those in cities. For this reason, it would be extremely costly to construct power grids serving Tibet’s rural areas. Developing solar power fits the requirements of the natural and social conditions of rural areas in Tibet. Meanwhile, widely-used fuels such as cattle dung and firewood directly or indirectly impact Tibet’s ecosystem. Replacing them with green and low-carbon energy like solar power is an inevitable choice for Tibet.

  II. Injecting Vitality into the Plateau by Promoting Photovoltaic and Photothermal Energy

  i. Measures have been taken to promote the development and utilization of solar energy. In recent years, with support from the central government, Tibet has launched a number of solar energy demonstration projects with remarkable economic, social, and ecological results, including the Sunshine Program, Light of Science project, Nagri Photovoltaic Power Program, Project of Providing Electricity for Towns without Power Supply in Western China, and Golden Sun Program.

  ii. Outstanding achievements have been made to promote solar energy. To date, solar energy has been widely used in various aspects of social life in Tibet, including lighting, communications, broadcasting, irrigation, and heating. Solar ovens and water heaters are now used by thousands of local households, not only improving local living standards but also reducing pressure on the environment. So far, the state has invested more than 4 billion yuan to launch photovoltaic projects with a total capacity of 180 megawatts, which can meet the energy demands of 600,000 local residents. Currently, more than 400,000 solar stoves are in use throughout Tibet. Each solar stove annually saves 2,140 kilograms of firewood and 2,260 kilograms of cattle dung. By using a solar stove, a family can save 800 yuan a year and protect 800 square meters of grassland from destruction. Meanwhile, as much dung is saved as 150 kilograms of chemical fertilizer. Solar energy is also used to heat water. For instance, the 120-liter solar water heater that my family has used for a dozen years saves us 1,000 kilowatts/hour and prevents emissions of 1,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually. Along with ordinary households, solar water heaters are also used in many residential buildings and hotels. Passive solar sunrooms are widely used in homes, schools, public buildings, and breeding establishments in Lhasa, Nagchu, Nagri, Xigaze, and Shannan. In winter, the indoor temperature of sunrooms is 5 to 10℃ higher than ordinary rooms. The sunny season in Lhasa lasts 149 days a year. If equipped with solar heating system, a 100-square-meter house can save 3.5 tons of standard coal, 5.5 tons of firewood, or 5.8 tons of dung. In this way, a household can save 2,000 yuan spent on heating. Energy-conserving green technology and active solar heating projects are also spreading in Tibet.

  iii. Solar energy turns dream into reality. In the past, some Tibetan farmers and herders used butter lamps and candles at night, only dreaming of electric lamps and televisions. Tibet’s firewood replacement strategy has made dreams come true. Due to widespread utilization of greenhouse technology, locally-grown vegetables and fruits are supplied to urban residents year round. Tibet no longer needs to transport vegetables and fruits from other regions by land and air as it did before. Presently, every kind of food can be found on local dinner tables, and fresh meat, eggs and vegetables are always available in Tibet. Local residents are no longer just satisfied to be fed, but seek nutritious and healthy food. Moreover, solar energy is widely used in other industries. China Mobile, the country’s biggest mobile communications operator, has built the world’s largest solar station cluster in Tibet. Of more than 1,000 China Mobile signal towers in Tibet, nearly 79 percent are powered with solar energy. China Mobile even built solar stations at altitudes of 5,200 meters, 5,820 meters, and 6,500 meters on the slopes of Mt. Qomolangma (Everest), the highest peak on the planet, so as to provide mobile communications services for mountain climbers and tourists. Tibet’s development of solar energy has gradually crept towards industrialization. With advancements in photovoltaic technology, solar energy has increasingly entered the lives of residents on the plateau.

  III. Development Roadmap for Tibet Solar Energy Industry

  Currently, China’s solar energy industry ranks first globally. The country is also the world’s largest solar water heater producer and consumer, as well as a major producer of photovoltaic parts. China takes the lead in the world in terms of photovoltaic technology and solar energy utilization, so as to meet the country’s increasing demand for energy. This also bolsters the development of Tibet’s solar energy industry. In its current context, Tibet should set specific goals and formulate pragmatic measures to explore new patterns of solar energy utilization that meet the living conditions of local farmers and herders.

  i. Promote research and application of solar thermal technology. Although solar energy has been used for several years in Tibet, the research and application of solar thermal technology is still new to the autonomous region. The technology will substantially help reduce energy consumption and decrease the local economy’s dependence on traditional energy. Tibet has already launched a demonstration project on combining natural gas and solar energy in residential heating systems and a research project on key solar thermal technology in residences of local farmers and herders. In fact, research of solar thermal technology is also meaningful for industries such as Tibetan medicine and food processing.

  ii. Use photovoltaic technology in buildings. The usage of photovoltaic technology in buildings not only saves energy, but also reduces operational costs. Furthermore, this will change the subordinate position of solar power in relation to mainstream energy. Tibet is just beginning its efforts to use photovoltaic technology in buildings. Although there is a long way to go, a bright future is already on the horizon.

  iii. Research solar power charging technology for electric vehicles. The advantageous solar energy resources on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau could provide endless power for electric cars. Once solar power charging technology for electric cars fully develops, the current photovoltaic market will expand exponentially. It will also make contributions to the efforts of building a beautiful Tibet.

  iv. Build solar-and-wind and solar-and-hydro power plants. Power plants integrating solar and wind power can generate electricity in any weather, which is more economical and practical than pure wind or pure solar power plants and can provide power for Tibet’s remote agricultural and pastoral areas, border sentry posts, and areas lacking power grids. Tibet also abounds in hydroelectric resources. As part of its 12th Five-Year Plan, a strategy has formulated to primarily develop hydroelectric stations, with new energy such as solar as supplemental. The strategy provides opportunities for the development of solar-and-hydro combined power plants, so as to provide high-quality electricity.

  v. Build and improve service system and administrative standards of the photovoltaic market. Tibet will take measures to build and improve the service system of its photovoltaic market, establish long-term operation and maintenance mechanisms, formulate quality standards for photovoltaic and photothermal products in high-altitude areas, and ensure pollution-free treatment of waste batteries from photovoltaic systems.

  vi. Introduce advanced solar energy technology and products. Regions with rich solar energy resources like Tibet are ideal places to carry out experimental demonstration projects. Through introducing new-type solar energy technology and products, Tibet will innovate to meet diverse demands of the market. While promoting solar technology and products, it is also promoting the utilization of new energy and spreading awareness of energy conservation and emissions reduction.

  (Ji Jingang, Director of the Energy Research and Demonstration Center of Tibet Autonomous Region)

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