On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of China's polar research, the 40th International Symposium on Polar Sciences was held in Shanghai on October 30, 2024. The seminar promoted the "Green Exploration" initiative and responded to President Xi Jinping's important instructions to "expand to the extreme macro, delve into the extreme micro, advance to extreme conditions, and combine interdisciplinary forces to continuously break through the boundaries of human cognition."

Twelve-Year Development Outline for Clean Energy Utilization Technologies in the Antarctic (hereinafter referred to as the Outline) was globally released at the symposium.

Professor Sun Hongbin from the Department of Electrical Engineering and Applied Electronics (EEA) at Tsinghua University and President of Taiyuan University of Technology, along with Liu Shunlin, Director of the China Polar Research Center, unveiled the release of the Outline.

Key attendees included He Guangshun, Chief Engineer of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Chen Dake, Academician of the Second Institute of Oceanography of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Shen Jun, Director of the Polar Research Office of the National Oceanic Administration, Gao Xueming, Inspector of the Department of Science and Technology Development of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Qu Wei, Deputy Director of Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission, Professor Kerry Wilson, Chairman of the Antarctic Research Science Committee, Professor Kim Li-dong, former Chairman of the Antarctic Research Science Committee, Academician Shi Shengcai, from the Purple Mountain Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Academician Michael Bender, from Princeton University/Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Professor Chen Jinliang, Vice President of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Sun Bo, Party Secretary of the China Polar Research Center. Together, they witnessed the release of the Outline.

The Outline was organized by the China Polar Research Center (Polar Research Institute of China), led by Taiyuan University of Technology, with Professor Sun Hongbin serving as the Chief Scientist. It was developed over two years, with collaboration from 12 related teams including Taiyuan University of Technology, Shanxi Energy Internet Research Institute, Tsinghua University, No. 18 Research Institute of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation, and others. The Outline addresses the major needs of China's polar strategy.

The Outline covers five key areas: Background Overview, Development Goals, Development Pathways, Key Technologies and Technology Promotion.

It aims to develop and realize a clean energy system in Antarctica characterized by "Safety and Efficiency, Green and Convenience, Multi-energy Complementarity, Reliable Equipment, and Smart Integration."

To achieve the overall goal of clean energy development in Antarctica, a comprehensive plan needs to be made for the layout and development pathways, progressing scientifically and in an orderly manner. The development is planned in three stages: Preliminary Transition Phase (current to 2025), Acceleration Phase (2026 to 2030), Consolidation Phase (2031 to 2035).

The Outline provides guidance on the development of key technologies for clean energy equipment and operations in Antarctica, and helps establish a robust technological system for clean energy utilization in Antarctica. This lays a solid foundation for China to become the first country to build the world's leading clean energy supply system for Antarctic scientific research.

The release of the Outline will further enhance China’s global influence, competitiveness, and discourse power, positioning China as a leader in the field of Antarctic clean energy technologies.