In the expansive Gobi Desert, a temporary dormitory has been constructed to support green electricity initiatives. This report highlights the experiences of young professionals in new industries.
Located in the Yumen Oilfield, which is over 80 years old, Tian Yuxin, a post-2000 born engineer, is involved in an innovative energy storage project. As part of his job, he operates a thermal imaging device to inspect solar panels at the Yining 300 MW photovoltaic power station. Despite appearing seasoned due to his sun-kissed skin and focused demeanor, Tian Yuxin is a recent graduate from Lanzhou University of Technology, having completed his studies in 2022.
At the Yining station, deep blue solar panels stretch across the desert landscape. Following his inspection of the solar panels, Tian walks towards a cluster of over 30 “containers” that stand tall on the barren ground. “These are energy storage battery units, each weighing more than five tons,” he explains. “When solar power generation exceeds immediate demand, the excess electricity is temporarily stored here.”
The Yining photovoltaic power station comprises a booster station, photovoltaic area, and storage area. If the photovoltaic section generates too much electricity and the lines are congested, the storage area acts like a temporary dormitory, holding excess power until it can be fed back into the grid when needed.
Over the past two years, Tian has traversed the route between the photovoltaic area and the storage area countless times. The remote Gobi Desert has become a fertile ground for his aspirations. The Yumen Oilfield, known for being the site of China’s first oil well and the first oil industrial base, is now focused on transitioning to clean energy and ramping up its renewable projects.
Tian’s educational background aligns well with the company’s needs, as he studied electrical engineering and automation, concentrating on renewable energy generation. However, upon entering the workforce, he realized there was still a long journey ahead to apply his knowledge practically. During his first year, he rotated through various roles, including boiler operation, turbine management, electrical work, and thermal engineering, which, while seemingly unrelated to renewable energy, provided him with a solid foundation of skills.
The Yumen Oilfield implements a dual mentorship program and a training system combining engineers with technicians, allowing Tian to gain hands-on experience with guidance from seasoned professionals. This rotation proved to be a deep learning experience, instilling in him the importance of a problem-solving attitude.
By 2023, after becoming a full-time employee, Tian was assigned to the construction site of the Yining photovoltaic power station. Enduring the summer heat, he faced challenges living and working in the Gobi Desert for over three months. His tasks involved equipment debugging, liaising with manufacturers, and conducting experiments during the day, while at night, he and his colleagues took turns monitoring operations, often sleeping on mats when beds were not available. During peak work periods, they clocked in 57 consecutive hours of labor.
Eventually, the moment arrived when the first green electricity was successfully generated, marked by the sound of electrical currents and the blue arc of the isolation switch. Tian recalls, “The power station was officially commissioned and connected to the grid!”
Today, the Yumen Oilfield boasts a new energy storage capacity of 85 MW/260 MWh, encompassing a 6-square-kilometer project area, more than 600,000 solar panels, and 36 sets of electrochemical storage devices. Each corner of the Yining photovoltaic power station bears witness to the efforts of Tian and his colleagues.
Tian has systematically mastered the construction, debugging, and operation of photovoltaic power stations and storage systems, even winning a technical skills competition at the Yumen Oilfield. Understanding how to charge and discharge energy storage systems is just the beginning; he aims to delve deeper into optimizing their operation for improved stability and safety of the power supply.
Tian and his team have dedicated themselves to analyzing electricity demand patterns during low generation periods, meticulously adjusting discharge power and timing. Within a month, they completed a project on achieving optimal integration of photovoltaic generation and electrochemical storage, with their discharge strategies now implemented across all new energy storage projects in the Yumen Oilfield. Additionally, they innovated cooling system upgrades for battery storage units, creating more operational protocols and accumulating valuable management experience.
At just 25 years old, Tian Yuxin has become a key technical figure in the new energy sector of the Yumen Oilfield. He reflects on the legacy of industry pioneers like Wang Jingxi, who, in his twenties, became one of the first drilling workers in New China at the Yumen Oilfield. “From oil to renewable energy, the spirit of my predecessors inspires me. I will continue to learn and improve, contributing to the advancement of the energy sector,” Tian says as he gazes into the horizon.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/building-temporary-shelters-for-green-energy-in-the-gobi-desert-a-young-engineers-journey-in-new-energy-projects/
