On the morning of March 13, the unveiling ceremony of Tsinghua University (Department of Electrical Engineering and Applied Electronics, EEA)—Beijing Power Equipment Group (BPEG) New Energy Key DC Equipment Joint Research Center was held in Jiasuo Hotel of Tsinghua University. Wu Yun, deputy general manager of China Energy Construction Group Co., Ltd., Yang Yuemin, general manager of China Energy Engineering Group Equipment Co., Ltd., Zhang Yuehua, executive deputy general manager of BPEG, Wang Chunmin, deputy general manager of BPEG, Yang Yifan, general manager of Market Development Department and Comprehensive Management Department of China Energy Construction Group, Zhang Meng, assistant to the general manager of BPEG, Liu Chengzhu, vice president of the Institute of Electrical Appliances, Professor Zeng Rong, vice president of Tsinghua University, and Professor Yu Xinjie, secretary of the Party Committee of EEA, associate professor Yu Zhanqing, deputy dean of EEA, associate professor Zhao Biao and assistant researcher Qu Lu of EEA attended the meeting.

The meeting was presided over by Associate Professor Yu Zhanqing. First, Professor Zeng Rong welcomed the arrival of the partners, reviewed the cooperation process between the two sides, and looked forward to further cooperation in the field of new energy key DC equipment technologies. He said that under the “dual-carbon” goal and in the context of building new type power systems, there is a broad prospect for cooperation between the two sides. EEA will solve major problems in new type power system construction from the perspective of devices, materials, major equipment, system operation and regulation. Facing the broad application prospects of DC systems on the hydrogen source, grid, and load and storage sides, the DC team will coordinate the progress in device, equipment and application, develop core devices including IGCT high-power semiconductor devices, serialized IGCT-based MMCs, DC transformers, DC circuit breakers, full-control LCC, cascaded direct-mounted energy storage converters, hydrogen-making power supply and frequency inverters, etc. In the end, Professor Zeng Rong said that the “powerful alliance” should also focus on subdivided fields, strengthen the mission undertaken by both sides in high-level technological self-reliance and self-improvement, and play a strategic supporting and leading role.

Deputy General Manager Wu Yun of China Energy Construction Group Co., Ltd. said that BPEG and EEA of Tsinghua University have a long history of cooperation, and he introduced the core business advantages and reform and development of China Energy Construction Group Co., Ltd. He added that EEA is powerful in technical R&D for power electronics devices and new type power system equipment, hoping that this hub of joint center could amplify the advantages of each side, jointly cultivate high-level talents of power electronics, accelerate the localization of new energy core devices and key equipment, create a new model for university-enterprise cooperation, and better serve the national strategy together.

After the unveiling ceremony, Associate Professor Zhao Biao, director of the Joint Research Center, presided over the first management committee meeting, and systematically reported the organizational structure, construction progress and future cooperation plan of the Joint Research Center. He said that there is a good foundation and model for cooperation in equipment such as DC circuit breakers, DC energy consumers and DC hydrogen making power supplies, which are used in a variety of important demonstration projects, and in the coming three years, the two side will expand cooperation in converters valves, energy storage converters, DC transformers and so on.

The establishment of the Joint Research Center is a new start of cooperation between Tsinghua University (EEA) and BPEG. In the principle of “Friendly cooperation, Mutual benefit, Complementary advantages, and Common development”, the two sides will combine the power electronics technology research achievements of Tsinghua University (EEA) with the advantages of BPEG in technology research and development, achievement transformation and promotion and application, jointly integrate innovative resources, develop core DC equipment for new energy power generation and grid incorporation, expand cooperative research on scientific research projects, promote the transformation of scientific and technological achievements and jointly cultivate high-level scientific research talents.

About BPEG

Beijing Power Equipment Group, founded in 1953, is a subsidiary of China Energy Construction Group Co., Ltd. and is currently the largest manufacturer of electric power equipment. It has complete technical categories such as machinery, motors, electrical appliances, and automation control. BPEG has a provincial-level enterprise technology center with domestic first-class independent research, development and manufacturing capabilities. It is also a major enterprise for the R&D and localized manufacture of UHV equipment and MW-level nuclear power busbars. Its large hydropower, thermal power, nuclear power and wind power generation equipment and auxiliary equipment, as well as UHV grid and conventional grid equipment are leading in the industry and market. In 2010, BPEG was selected as the 84th of the top 100 enterprises in China’s machinery industry.