“十五五”我国能源转型有望迎来“光热时刻”

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the promotion of concentrated solar power (CSP) development in China, highlighting its role in stabilizing renewable energy output and supporting the transition to a green energy system. The National Development and Reform Commission and the National Energy Administration have set clear goals for CSP, aiming for a total installed capacity of approximately 15 million kilowatts by 2030, with costs comparable to coal power [3][6]. Group 1: Advantages of CSP - CSP has dual functions of peak regulation and long-term energy storage, effectively mitigating the volatility of wind and solar power generation [3]. - CSP provides a stable and flexible energy supply, capable of continuous power generation for 24 hours, thus enhancing the reliability of electricity supply [4]. - CSP can support the grid by providing necessary inertia and reactive power, which is lacking in wind and solar power systems, thereby maintaining stability in high-renewable energy systems [5]. Group 2: Challenges and Opportunities - Despite advancements, CSP faces challenges such as high initial investment, weak market competitiveness, and underutilization of its system support value [6]. - The development of CSP must be tailored to local conditions, with a focus on optimizing project scales based on regional resource availability and power system structures [6]. - CSP technology can be applied in various scenarios, including enhancing the regulation capacity of large renewable energy bases and supporting multi-energy complementary systems [6]. Group 3: Cost Reduction and Policy Support - The average unit cost of CSP projects has been decreasing, with the cost for projects over 100 megawatts expected to be around 16,000 yuan per kilowatt by 2024, although it remains significantly higher than that of photovoltaic projects [7]. - Policies are being established to support cost reduction, such as a fixed grid price of 0.55 yuan per kilowatt-hour for demonstration projects in Qinghai, which is expected to stimulate industry growth [7]. - Recommendations include strengthening policy support, enhancing market mechanisms, and leveraging scale effects and technological innovation to reduce costs further [8][9]. Group 4: Sustainable Development - The industry should avoid "involutionary" cost-cutting and focus on rational competition to ensure quality and innovation, which are essential for sustainable development [9]. - It is crucial to ensure reasonable profits for investors and technology providers to drive the industry towards a quality and innovation-centric growth path [9].