China produces more clean energy than any other country. Now it's rolling out an ultra-high-voltage grid to match – will its strategy of going big pay off?

Summary

China leads the world in ultra-high-voltage (UHV) power transmission, with 48,000km of UHV lines connecting remote renewable energy sources, like wind, solar, and hydropower, to urban centers.

UHV lines minimize energy loss over long distances, earning them the nickname “bullet trains for power.”

Initially designed for coal and hydro, these lines now support China’s renewable energy expansion.

However, challenges remain, including high costs, dependence on coal for stability, and limited local integration.

Globally, countries like Brazil and India are adopting UHV, but regulatory and cost barriers hinder broader deployment, especially in the U.S.

  • Flying SquidMEnglish
    0•1 month ago

    Massive amounts of the output from burning coal continued to being pumped into the atmosphere doesn’t sound like “smashing it” to me. More like “not as bad as it could be.”

    • @[email protected]English
      9•1 month ago

      They seem to be making better progress than many other countries on renewables.

      Hopefully they’ll transition off coal and onto battery infrastructure as renewables increase.

      • Flying SquidMEnglish
        4•1 month ago

        And when (or if) they do, I’ll say they’re smashing it. Right now, they’re just not as bad as some of their competitors.

        • Avid AmoebaEnglish
          3•1 month ago

          Today they’re smashing it at the rate of installation per year.