By Abbas Nazil
China has launched its first zero-carbon highway, the 152.7 km Jinan-Hefei Highway (G35), marking a pivotal achievement in the nation’s green infrastructure development.
Developed by Shandong Hi-Speed Group (SDHS), the highway is a flagship project in China’s broader strategy to advance sustainable transportation and reduce carbon emissions.
The road features cutting-edge renewable energy systems and innovative carbon-reduction technologies designed to achieve a net carbon reduction of 9,000 tons per year.
The expanded highway, now with eight lanes and a speed limit of 120 km/h, incorporates various design elements aimed at minimizing its environmental impact.
Among these are renewable energy sources such as distributed solar panels, small-scale wind turbines, geothermal heat pumps, and energy storage systems.
These technologies are seamlessly integrated into the highway’s infrastructure, including service area buildings, toll stations, ramps, and embankments.
Solar panels alone, with a 30 MW capacity, are projected to generate 33 GWh of electricity annually while simultaneously providing vehicle charging facilities through photovoltaic (PV) carports.
Energy storage solutions complement the renewable systems, with a total capacity of 9 MW/18 MWh distributed across the highway’s service areas.
This includes a mobile energy storage system designed to ensure backup power for the microgrid.
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Together, these technologies offset an estimated 22,500 tons of carbon emissions annually, surpassing the road’s projected emissions of 13,600 tons and achieving the targeted net reduction.
Additional features include near-zero energy buildings, wastewater treatment upgrades, off-grid micro-lighting, and forestry carbon sinks, further enhancing the highway’s environmental credentials.
Expanded vegetation coverage also contributes to increased carbon sequestration, emphasizing a holistic approach to sustainability.
Advanced tracking and monitoring technologies play a significant role in the highway’s operational efficiency.
SDHS employs a sophisticated intelligent operations platform that uses pile number recognition and precise location algorithms to enable real-time inspections, monitoring, and maintenance.
This ensures seamless operation while optimizing energy use and reducing the environmental footprint of maintenance activities.
The Jinan-Hefei Highway is part of China’s ambitious plan to transition its extensive highway network, which currently spans 184,000 km, into a greener infrastructure.
As the network expands by 6,000 km annually and upgrades 3,000 km per year, the success of this project sets a precedent for future zero-carbon initiatives.
The integration of renewable energy and energy-saving technologies into highways is expected to play a crucial role in meeting China’s carbon neutrality goals and advancing its green energy transition.
This transformative project not only showcases innovative sustainable engineering but also underscores China’s commitment to reducing emissions in its transportation sector, paving the way for a more sustainable future. END
Source: PV Magazine
