World's largest generator connected to power grids in China ( 2003-07-10 11:43) (Xinhua)
The first power generator of China's Three Gorges Project, the largest of its
kind in the world, was connected to the power grid to begin generating
electricity at 01:31 a.m. on Thursday morning, 20 days ahead of schedule.
Technicians
operates in the central control room as the No. 2 generating unit of the
Three Gorges Power Project on the Yangtze River in Central China's Hubei
Province begins generating electricity early July 10.
[newsphoto.com.cn]
Yang Qing, vice-general manager of the China Yangtze River Three Gorges
Project Development Corporation, said the generating unit, known as the No.2
unit, will supply 12.9 million kwh per day to the Central China and East China
Power Grids.
The unit will have to pass a 30-day trial operation period under the
observation of engineers before beginning commercial production in mid-August,
said Yang.
The 7,700-ton unit, built by a consortium comprised of Hewitt,Siemens and
General Electric, has a generating capacity of 700,000 kW, according to the
vice-general manager.
The integration into the two Chinese power grids followed a successful
72-hour trial period on July 7.
The first attempted trial operation on July 1 failed as it lasted about 68
hours, falling short of the 72 hours required.
The failure of a sensor in a water purification system providing cooling
water for the unit triggered the shutdown of theoperation. The second trial
operation began on July 4.
The generating unit has been turned over to the Three Gorges Hydraulic Power
Plant, which will assume its operational management.
A total of 26 generating units will be installed before the project is
completed in 2009.
Launched in 1993, the Three Gorges Project will begin to pay dividends later
this year, playing an important role in flood control, power generation,
navigation, water diversion and environmental protection.
