University of Birmingham scientists joined their Chinese counterparts at the 2019 UK-China Future Energy System Development Forum to explore new and innovative ways of accelerating the adoption of renewable energy.

Over 100 energy experts and researchers gathered at the university to discuss the major challenges facing future energy systems using sustainable energy sources, as well as creating new partnerships between the UK and Chinese industrial and academic communities.

Working with the Chinese Society for Electrical Engineering (CSEE), UK-China University Consortium on Engineering Education and Research and the Institution of Engineering and Technology, CSEE UK Chapter, CSEE Europe Chapter and CSEE North America Chapter, University of Birmingham researchers organized the forum.

Professor Xiao-Ping Zhang, director of Smart Grid, Birmingham Energy Institute at the University of Birmingham, said: “Decarbonizing the power sector by ramping up the adoption of renewable energy is essential to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. We can only accelerate the global shift to low carbon through a combination of renewable energy, modernized power grid connections, intelligent demand management and market reforms.

“Our forum at the University of Birmingham provides a timely and comprehensive review of progress, applications, and challenges spurred by large-scale renewable energy generation. It is a great opportunity to create exciting partnerships between researchers and technology manufacturers in this vital field.”

Guests were welcomed by University of Birmingham Provost Professor Tim Jones, who said: “It is tremendously exciting to welcome such renowned experts to the University of Birmingham and a testament to the strength of our growing reputation in China as our researchers establish innovative collaborations around the globe.”

President of CSEE Baosen Zheng said: “This forum fits well with the current situations facing the development of renewable energy. China boasts the fastest development of wind and photovoltaic power generation in the world. Especially in recent years, the renewable energies, mainly consisting of wind power and photovoltaic power, have been soaring, with the installed capacities of wind power and photovoltaic power generation reaching 184 GW and 174 GW respectively in 2018.

“By 2030, China’s renewable energy power generation will represent more than 30 percent of the total, which will pose challenges to the planning and operation of power system. Some European and American countries have plenty of proven experiences in planning, joint dispatching, power market operation, inter-regional trade and so forth of renewable energy.

“It is heartening to join you in this forum to exchange experiences and insights on renewable energy development, to analyze the problems faced by high penetration renewable energy in power systems and identify solutions, and advance the development of renewable energy technologies.”