Development and Analysis of the Wind Power Industry in Xinjiang, China

As one of the energy bases of China, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has participated in a series of developing programs, such as The Western Development (2000), The Belt and the Road (2014), and The Global Energy Internet Strategy (2015), which signify that China places considerable importance to the sustainable development of the energy industry in Xinjiang. As an important part of the energy industry in Xinjiang, the emerging wind power industry in this region has developed rapidly in recent years. However, many problems have emerged, such as the abandoned wind power rationing, which seriously restricts the healthy development of the wind power industry. In this study, we introduce the development of the renewable energy industry and analyze the wind energy resources in Xinjiang. We mainly investigate the development situation and existing problems in the wind power industry. Then we focus on the problem of wind power curtailment, analyze the causes, and propose measures and strategies to alleviate this problem. Our findings will contribute to the sustainable development of the wind power industry in Xinjiang.


Introduction
Xinjiang is located in northwest China and characterized by varying surface topography and abundant energy resources.The area of 1.66×10 6 km 2 makes Xinjiang the largest province in China.Its abundant fossil fuel reserves of coal, oil and natural gas rank third in China, and its renewable energy resources, including wind energy and solar energy, are among the highest in China.Xinjiang has been listed as one of the five comprehensive strategic energy bases in China.The National Development and Reform Commission in 2006 identified three major oil fields in Xinjiang.In 2010, Xinjiang was listed among the nine wind power bases in China.In 2013, it was ranked as the fourteenth largest coal base in China.In 2014, the national development strategy, called the Belt and the Road, involved Xinjiang as one of its core areas.The Central Xinjiang Development Forum established a clear development path of the energy industry in Xinjiang, named "three bases and one channel", which includes the "three bases" of large coal, oil/gas, and wind power bases, and "one channel" of national land energy channel (Fan et al., 2016, p.4).
To achieve clean and sustainable development of the energy industry in Xinjiang, the state places considerable importance to the development of wind energy in Xinjiang.The state also supports wind farm construction in Hami and Dabancheng, and promotes the development of a national large-scale wind power base in Xinjiang (Guo et al., 2015, p.5).
The development of wind power in Xinjiang has been progressing rapidly since 2009.In 2013, the installed capacity of wind power grids overtook that of hydropower.By 2014, the grid capacity of wind power ranked first among potential renewable energy sources in Xinjiang (Fig. 1).In 2014, the cumulative power generation in Xinjiang increased by 30.16%.Wind power generation capacity (135.47 kWh) accounted for 6.89% of the total power generation (Fig. 2).The proportion of wind power in the total power generation of Xinjiang has been increasing annually and maintained a good momentum of economic development.By 2014, the total installed capacity of power supply in Xinjiang reached 55486 MW, of which 14.47% came from wind power (8030 MW).The structure of the power assembly machine capacity in Xinjiang is shown in Fig. 3 (Heya et al., 2015).The capacity of new energy grids in Xinjiang accounted for nearly 30% of total power capacity, with the highest proportion of 14.47% coming from wind power (Fig. 3).The installed capacities of wind power in Xinjiang from Along with rationing t In this stu Xinjiang, utilization was analyz cuts in Xin The findin Xinjiang.

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Xinjiang h reserves in of the Thr power, wh The vast constituted Mao Hu, H 2015).To promote energy-saving and emission reduction, improve the ecological environment, and adjust the energy structure, Xinjiang implemented the country grade scenery base construction in the nine wind zones (e.g.Urumqi Dabancheng, Hami Santanghu, Hami Nao Mao Hu, Turpan Xiaocaohu), four prefectures (e.g., Turpan, Hami), and areas rich in photovoltaic resources.By the end of 2015, the state approved the construction of wind power plants up to a scale of 18.83 GW in Xinjiang.Meanwhile, the construction of photovoltaic plants reached 7.36 GW, which ranked second in China (Ma et al., 2009, p.3).
Statistics from Xinjiang Power Grids show that the installed capacity of the network operation of Xinjiang power grids reached 58369 MW by the end of November 2015, with a growth of 36.94% from 2014 and accounting for 17% of the total installed capacity in China.These statistics suggest that the national scenery base has been successfully built in Xinjiang and that the overall development is in good condition.

Prominent Problems in High-Speed Development
Xinjiang is rich in renewable energy resources, but the development and utilization require considerable attention.In 2014, the Central Committee of the second work in Xinjiang clearly proposed to transform the solar energy and wind energy advantages in Xinjiang into economic advantages, and to improve the national large-scale base construction of photovoltaic and wind power in Xinjiang.Photovoltaic power generation process is simple and efficient, and solar energy storage is abundant, and its distribution range is large.Statistics show that the power grid capacity of Xinjiang increased over four times during the "Twelfth Five-Year Plan".The installed capacity of wind power grew at an average annual rate up to 69%, the average annual wind power capacity increased by 45.3%, and solar power grew exponentially from scratch (Ma, 2010, p.2).
However, the development and utilization of new energy in Xinjiang highlight the problem of abandoned wind power rationing, which seriously affects the development of new energy.Large-scale renewable energy consumption is always a challenge worldwide.Renewable energy consumption problems in Xinjiang rank among the top three in China.Since 2012, the GDP of China has been growing annually, ushering the economy into the new normal level.Consequently, the electricity demand is also gradually slowing down.However, the installation speed of thermal power and renewable energy power plants in Xinjiang is extremely fast and considerably surpasses the development speed of power demand.By the end of November 2015, the total installed capacity of the Xinjiang power grid increased by 24.7%, considerably higher than the electricity demand growth of 6.1%.Such imbalance directly leads to a considerable decrease in renewable energy use and thermal power utilization hours, which increasingly intensifies the problem of abandoned wind power rationing (Sun et al., 2015).

Causes of Abandoned Wind Power Rationing
Statistics show that during the first 11 months of 2015, the wind power utilization hour was only 1595 hours, which was down by 276 hours.The total abandoned wind power rationing was up to 64.22 million kWh, and the abandoned wind power rate hit a record high of 31.5% in Xinjiang, with an increase of 16.6% (Sin et al., 2015).
Abandoned wind power rationing, which is caused by multiple factors, becomes increasingly serious.Power grid construction lags behind the objective factors of the wind farm construction cycle, indicating the power structure of Xinjiang is unreasonable.Objective and historical factors, as well as new energy power generation price adjustment periods (i.e., winter heating period and coal price downturn period), comprised three overlapping factors that were unique in 2015.These unique temporary factors were the main causes for the exacerbation of the abandoned wind power rationing in Xinjiang.The specific reasons could be illustrated from four aspects (Xu et al., 2015).
(1) The power structure is unreasonable.Winter heating peak limits space.
Statistics show that thermal power in Xinjiang accounts for over 70% of the total supply.In terms of thermal power, privately-owned power plants provided over 45% but did not participate in heating peaking.The Xinjiang power grid unified power plant provides only 55% of the peak load system of a power plant, and heating units account for up to 56% higher than only in the transfer system of the power plant.Therefore, only 30% of the power plants can be used for peak shaving.Xinjiang is cold in winter, but the power load is low.To ensure that the heating unit of the output works normally, load space is limited and thus peaking capacity is lacking.Thus, winter heating in Xinjiang is one of the fundamental factors that affect abandoned wind power rationing (Xu et al., 2015).
(2) Prices, installation of wind power enterprises For our production in 2016, the wind power tariff was cut by 2 percent, and consequently, wind power companies accelerated the wind farm construction at the end of the 2015 production period.In 2015, the wind power project production and the installed capacity both increased, which are two direct and primary factors that affect the abandoned wind power rationing (Yuan et al., 2015, p.5).
(3) Limited electricity delivery market in Xinjiang Henan province reduced electricity load because of the economy decline in China.Meanwhile, coal prices dropped sharply, which reduced the cost of thermal power.The price advantage of electricity delivery in Xinjiang was not too significant, which was weakened after the electric supply from Xinjiang to Henan was reduced.Consequently, a part of the distributed power was consumed only in local areas of Xinjiang, which considerably narrowed down the space of the renewable energy market in Xinjiang.These objective factors intensified the abandoned wind power rationing in Xinjiang in 2015 (Zhang et al., 2008, p.4).
(4) Power grid construction lags behind the wind farm construction; transport channels are limited The majority of wind power systems in Xinjiang are concentrated far away from the load center, which extremely limits the local consumption space and leads to the long-distance electricity transmission of UHV.However, the wind power construction period is considerably shorter than the power grid distribution construction period (3-6 months vs. 12-18 months), which results in the wind power and power grid construction.Therefore, production is not synchronized.This important factor causes abandoned wind power rationing (Zhang et al., 2015).
From an objective perspective, the abandoned wind power rationing in Xinjiang requires additional attention.This phenomenon is mainly affected and exacerbated by multiple temporary factors.At present, the incidence of abandoned wind power rationing is high.However, the implementation of follow-up measures will gradually relieve this phenomenon.Overall, the national large-scale wind power development base is good.
In summary, large-scale wind energy generation in Xinjiang is concentrated far from the load center, so the consumption space is limited.After nearly two years of economic recovery, the power supply structure of the wind power concentrated area and electricity demand growth were slowed down.Wind power development and power grid construction are not synchronized.Deficiencies exist in the wind power market system, such as multiple factors that act collectively to cause the record high of abandoned wind power rationing.To solve the wind power consumption problem, the Xinjiang Development and Reform Commission, power grid companies, and new energy enterprises have participated in various pioneering innovative activities and measures.

Measures to Solve the Abandoned Wind Power Rationing
The principle of "market is the foundation, power grid is the condition, and reform is the solution" was applied to alleviate abandoned wind power cuts in Xinjiang.Various departments coordinate to actively adjust the structure of the energy industry.Strategies have been efficiently taken to enlarge the space of wind power consumption, including the research and development of potential power sources, and the delivery of channel construction measures.
(1) The overall planning of a power grid, ahead of its layout, increases peak shaving unit construction.
First, an advance layout of wind power and distribution channel construction is needed to satisfy the requirements of a wind power project and to gain fast approval.A short construction period is also recommended, so the simultaneous development of wind power and grid coordination should be promoted.Second, accelerating the construction of the Hami, Fukang, and Aktau pumped storage energy power plants will significantly enhance the peaking capacity of the grid system, and thus promote the coordinated development of wind power and thermal power.
(2) Simplify the power grid to strengthen power grid transmission capacity.
First, the acceleration of project construction has been approved for power distribution.By the end of 2015, 23750 kV lines were built, with a total length of 4103 km; a total of 18013 km of 220 kV and a total length of 29007 km of 110 kV were built.Second, to accelerate planning and construction of distribution channels, we need to advance the construction of scenery power transmission project 39, and coordinate Xinjiang power grid and the prefectures of time limit for a project, which ensure that the wind power and grid synchronization will be realized and put into operation.
(3) Strengthen power grid distribution and optimize the operation mode.
In accordance with relevant requirements of National Energy Bureau, we actively supervise the State Grid Electric Power Company of Xinjiang to conscientiously implement the Renewable Energy Law.Thus, we further increase energy-saving generation distribution, schedule digging potential, strengthen wind power base in the overall output of the predictive analysis and remote monitoring technology public relations.We also improve wind power scale use of intermittent, effectively improve utilization hours of wind power and other renewable energy equipment, and provide larger consumption space for wind power and other renewable energy sources.
(4) Wind electric heating power can be alternatively coupled with the coal chemical industry and oil well production, such as in microgrids, or the use of energy storage technology to enhance local consumption space.
By the end of 2015, the wind power heating project in Urumqi Dabancheng, Altay region was put into operation, generating 35 million kW of wind power through heating.The construction of the 45 other wind power heating projects was accompanied by the vigorous development of electric vehicles, electric boilers, heating cables, and wind cascade irrigation.Wind power was combined with transportation, construction, industry and agriculture, particularly for high-energy consuming industries.Wind electric was coupled with the coal chemical industry, oil exploitation, and wind power storage technology to enhance the consumption space and adjustment capability of wind power.

Reforms and Innovations to Develop Wind Power
To fundamentally solve the abandoned wind power rationing in Xinjiang, the electric power department and energy regulators must combine operation management with reforms and innovations to start electric power system reform, electric power trade innovation, and adjustment of power industrial development speed.The peaking capacity of market-oriented grid systems, the proportion of wind power generation, and the space of wind power consumption all increase.
(1) Development of management, participation of power plants in peak shaving In accordance with the implementation of the electric power system reform guidance (in 2015, on the 9th) and the recommendations of the National Energy Bureau, privately-owned power plants should participate in the power grid peak shaving.According to calculations, if private-owned power plants take part in 10% of power grid peak shaving, wind power utilization will be improved.
(2) Deal with power generation, increase the size of direct power supply To explore the capability of power generation, the wind power to the power generation part of the waste to the thermal power, thermal power enterprises are encouraged through the market-oriented economic compensation mechanism to increase wind power output.The direct supply scope and scale of wind electricity should be further expanded, along with large-scale electricity direct trading, and wind power companies are encouraged to expand wind power consumption channels.
(3) Adjust the speed of development and realize an orderly development of wind power The scale and speed of wind power development should be appropriately adjusted according to the consumption power market so as to preserve consumption space during development.A huge turnaround does not occur in the current economic situation, since the consumption market does not have a large space.Priority should be given to the development of the wind power industry, and the scale and speed of thermal power construction should be appropriately mitigated, along with the reasonable planning and reconstruction of in-service burning coal motor group.In summary, for the healthy development of the wind power industry in Xinjiang, relevant enterprises should seek innovation through reform and development, and thus fundamentally solve the abandoned wind power rationing in Xinjiang.

Conclusions and Prospects
Wind power occupies an important position in the energy structure of Xinjiang.We introduced wind energy resources and the development of wind power industry in Xinjiang.We mainly analyzed the abandoned wind power rationing, which was caused by an irrational power supply structure, limited peak load space in winter heating systems, and reduced wind power price.Other important factors include limited electricity distribution and power grid construction lagging behind wind power development.
A comprehensive evaluation system for wind power in Hami was built using the improved analytic hierarchy and fuzzy comprehensive evaluation.Wind power utilization level was studied and analyzed using a wind farm in Hami as an example.The new synthetic evaluation system for wind power has some practical value.
In summary, influence on wind power was considered from three aspects including power supply, power grid, and power load.In terms of power supply, thermal power, hydropower, wind power, photovoltaic power, and other alternative sources are improved.In terms of power grid, power grid construction, transmission distance and coverage should all be improved.In terms of power load, implementation of electricity demand scheduling response, expansion of electrical channels, and the increase of electricity demand are needed to realize a high proportion of new energy consumption in Xinjiang.
The key is to establish a wind power market.However, the current electric power supply is normal.Xinjiang, Henan and other power bases reduce the benchmark price of local electricity, or otherwise market competition will be inexistent.Therefore, to win the market and open up market space, the wind power industry in Xinjiang should develop wind power technology, reduce the cost and prices, and compete with traditional energy sources.
At present, Xinjiang wind power consumption mainly relies on bundling delivery.However, special high-pressure delivery channel was only Hami South-Zhengzhou 800 kV DC.The Xinjiang power grid "the 13th Five-year" plan clearly points to 2020.The Xinjiang power grid will add four UHV DC transmission channels: Zhundong-Chengdu ±1100 kV, quasi-East-Wannan ±1100 kV, Hami North-Chongqing 800 kV, and Yili Pakistan ±660 kV.Power will reach 50 million kW at that time, and Xinjiang power grid will become the largest provincial power grid and the largest external transmission channel in China (Chen, 2017).The role of technology advancements' spur in the wind energy sector, within the examined period of 2001-2014, the continuous innovation of wind power technology has also stimulated the large-scale development of the wind power industry, and the power generation has been expanding.
China advocates the concept of green and low-carbon development.Xinjiang is rich in renewable energy sources, and considerable room remains for development.In the near future, the new energy industry in Xinjiang will progress to large-scale development and efficient utilization.The new energy industry will attain a dominant position in the energy structure, but this requires efforts from various members of the society.China proposes the Global Energy Internet Strategy and vigorously promotes the development and utilization of clean energy.With the help of this strategy, Xinjiang, as a core area in the Silk Road Economic Zone, can provide large-scale electricity distribution, actively participate in optimal energy allocation with the neighboring countries of China, and promote the sustainable development of its wind power industry. Figure