Research and Outlook on Global Energy Interconnection

Abstract

Currently, the world is confronted with a series of challenges including resource shortage, climate change, environment pollution and energy poverty, which are rooted in the humanity’s deep dependence on and large-scale consumption of fossil energy. To tackle with those challenges is an urgent task for realizing sustainable development. The Global Energy Interconnection (GEI) is a clean energy-dominant, electricity-centered, interconnected and shared modern energy system. It is an important platform for large-scale development, transmission and utilization of clean energy resources at a global level, promoting the global energy transition characterized by cleaning, decarbonization, electrification and networking. The GEI has provided a scientific, novel and systematic solution to implement Agenda 2030 as well as the Paris Agreement. Focusing on the scope of clean transition and sustainable development, this paper has implemented qualitative and quantitative methods based on historic data. The global power demand and supply has been forecasted. Based on global clean energy resources endowments and distribution, a global main clean energy bases layout and generation planning optimization has been proposed. Later in this paper, the global power flow under the GEI scenario and corresponding GEI backbone grid has been explored and proposed. Finally, based on a preliminary investment estimation, the comprehensive benefits of building the GEI have been analyzed.