Tsinghua University Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Energy Internet Innovation Institute and Hosts Third High-Quality Development Forum

On April 25, 2025, the Tsinghua University Institute for Energy Internet Innovation celebrated its 10th anniversary and successfully hosted the third high-quality development forum for energy think tanks in the rear hall of the central building at Tsinghua University. The forum’s theme was “Ten Years of Energy Innovation, Crafting a Smart Future,” and was chaired by Gao Wensheng, the Executive Vice President of the Institute. Over 400 representatives from national ministries, key enterprises, industry associations, research institutions, and Tsinghua University faculty and students attended the event. The forum adopted a hybrid format, with live streaming across multiple platforms, attracting more than 76,000 online viewers.

In his opening address, Huang Xue Nong, the Director of the Regulatory Bureau of the National Energy Administration, emphasized that innovation is essential for energy development. He noted that in recent years, China has made significant progress in energy development, leading the world in new energy installation capacity and continuously advancing energy technology innovation. He described the energy internet as a core driving force for green and low-carbon transformation. The Institute actively contributes to energy transition discussions and has become an important think tank and engine for ideas. He highlighted that 2025 is a crucial year for the conclusion of the 14th Five-Year Plan and the planning of the 15th Five-Year Plan. He called for a focus on key areas, deepening policy research, promoting technological transformation, expanding international cooperation, and cultivating leading talent to support the green and low-carbon transition of energy. He encouraged all parties to work together to achieve carbon neutrality goals and build a strong energy nation.

Zeng Rong, the Vice President of Tsinghua University and the first director of the Institute, congratulated the Institute on its 10th anniversary and expressed gratitude for the support received from various sectors. He mentioned that the Institute responds to the national energy revolution by leveraging its disciplinary advantages, focusing on policy research, technological innovation, industrial ecology, and talent cultivation. The Institute has undertaken multiple projects, been selected as a national high-end think tank, and supports top-level design initiatives. He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to supporting the Institute’s development, urging it to strategically plan with a higher perspective, promote interdisciplinary collaboration with a broader vision, and nurture innovative momentum to contribute Tsinghua’s wisdom and showcase China’s solutions in the quest to transform the global energy governance system.

Shi Yubo, Chairman of the China Energy Research Society, extended his warm congratulations to the Institute. He acknowledged the Institute’s commitment to an innovation-driven development philosophy, achieving outstanding results in policy and strategic research, core technology breakthroughs, high-end talent training, and international cooperation. Since its establishment in 1981, the China Energy Research Society has aimed to serve national energy strategies, striving to create a high-level academic exchange platform and establish industry standards to support the construction of a clean, low-carbon, safe, and efficient energy system. He expressed hope for deepening strategic collaboration with the Institute in areas such as the construction of energy internet standards and the expansion of key technology application scenarios to jointly write a new chapter in energy green transformation.

Chen Guoping, Deputy General Manager of the State Grid Corporation and Vice Chairman of the Chinese Institute of Electrical Engineering, commended the Institute for its remarkable contributions to the dual carbon goals and energy transition. He pointed out that the proposal of a new power system is driving profound changes in the power grid. Currently, the industry faces technical challenges brought about by the development of new energy. During the transition, it is essential to respect the characteristics of power development and quickly formulate appropriate technological pathways to guide planning. The State Grid Corporation has maintained a close partnership with the Institute and will deepen cooperation in technological innovation, standard formulation, international exchange, and talent training to promote the integration of industry, academia, and research, supporting the energy transition and the construction of a new power system in China.

Phil Taylor, President of the University of Bath and a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, praised the Institute’s leadership role in promoting global energy transition in his video address. He called for enhanced Sino-British and international research cooperation to tackle challenges such as climate change. He noted that the Institute’s uniqueness lies in promoting intelligent innovation in energy through new power systems, aligning closely with the development goals of the UK and the world. He recalled the long-standing cooperative history between the University of Bath and China, advocating for continued deepening of Sino-British clean energy collaboration, including establishing joint research centers and co-training PhD students.

Dan Kammen, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, congratulated the Institute on its 10th anniversary in his video address, expressing heartfelt thanks for past collaborations. He highlighted that many scholars have visited his laboratory over the past five years, engaging in various exchange activities and co-authoring numerous journal papers covering areas such as grid stability and clean energy market mechanisms. He emphasized that the Institute provides a unique pathway for global green transition by integrating energy technology, information technology, and infrastructure innovation for “directly serving the public.” He expressed hope for further exchanges and visits between the two countries.

Kang Chongqing, the Director of the Tsinghua University Institute for Energy Internet Innovation, presented a work report titled “Ten Years of Energy Innovation, Crafting a Smart Future,” summarizing the Institute’s development over the past decade and looking ahead. Following this, a promotional video commemorating the Institute’s 10th anniversary was shown, reflecting on significant moments from the past ten years.

The forum also featured a thank-you and recognition ceremony entitled “Building Dreams Together, Advancing Together,” which honored outstanding representatives and organizations for their contributions to the Institute’s development in categories such as “Senior Contributions,” “Joint Progress,” and “Strategic Alliances.” During the keynote address segment, Academician Zhou Xiaoxin, Chairman of the Institute’s Academic Committee, delivered a report titled “Research on the Development Trends of China’s Energy Power System under the Dual Carbon Goals—Discussing the New Energy System Coupling Non-fossil Energy and Hydrogen.”

Keynote reports were presented by Liu Shiyu, Deputy Director of the Power Planning and Design Institute, Yang Lei, Deputy Director of the Energy Research Institute of Peking University, and Xia Wenbo, CTO of Huawei’s Power Digital Division, covering topics such as “Prospects for Building a New Power System,” “Market Construction of the New Energy System and Considerations for New Business Models,” and “Analysis and Considerations on the Communication Objectives of the New Power System.”

In the results presentation segment, five recent research outcomes from the Institute were released in a digital format, including studies on “Engineering Game Theory and Applications in New Energy Power Systems,” “Model for the Evolution of China’s Energy Internet,” “Key Bottlenecks and Solutions for the Commercialization of Bidirectional Charging of Electric Vehicles (V2G),” “Annual Development Report of the Energy Internet 2025” (pre-release), and “Research on the Development of Digital Power Infrastructure” (pre-release).

The forum also featured a salon under the theme “From Belt and Road to the Global South—Towards a New Era of International Energy Cooperation,” hosted by Liu Jianming, Chief Scientist at the Institute. Seven experts, including Liu Xuejun, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of China’s Economic System Reform, Zhang Fengying, Professor at the Huairou National Laboratory for Smart Energy Research, Zhao Yongqiang, Director of the Renewable Energy Center at the National Development and Reform Commission, and others engaged in deep discussions on energy international cooperation, technological innovation, and policy synergy, with lively on-site interactions.

As the forum concluded with applause from attendees, the Institute committed to continuing its focus on national strategic needs, deepening the integration of industry, academia, and research, and contributing wisdom and strength to the global energy transition and achievement of carbon neutrality goals.