This paper takes the Inner Mongolia Alashan large-scale wind-solar-storage renewable energy base as a case study. It draws on the Alashan League’s new energy development plan and locally published data on wind power, photovoltaic (PV) projects, and energy storage systems. The analysis covers project scale, wind and solar resources, equipment configuration, energy storage systems, and power transmission.
1. Project Scale and Overall Layout
The Alashan League sits in western Inner Mongolia. It features extensive desert, Gobi, and arid regions, making it one of China’s key areas for new energy development. According to the league’s “14th Five-Year Plan” for new energy, the Tengger New Energy Base plans to build 4,000 MW of wind power and 8,000 MW of PV capacity.
In total, the planned wind and solar capacity reaches 12,000 MW. At present, the region hosts multiple large-scale new energy projects. Their construction covers wind turbines, PV arrays, energy storage systems, booster stations, and transmission lines.
2. PV Project Construction Data
The 1,000 MW PV project in the Alashan High-Tech Industrial Development Zone stands as a representative local project. Its installed capacity reaches 1,000 MW. The project installs about 2.08 million solar panels, with each module rated at 575 Wp. It divides the installation into 303 PV power generation zones.
The project also builds two 220 kV booster stations and equips a 200 MW / 400 MWh energy storage system. It was connected to the grid in December 2024. With 1,000 MW of capacity, this project is a typical ultra-large centralized PV power station. Both its equipment quantity and site area reach the million-kilowatt level.
3. Main PV System Equipment
Large centralized PV projects generally adopt a zoned construction approach. PV modules connect in strings to form DC power generation units. Inverters then convert DC power into AC power. After that, step-up transformers raise the voltage, and collection lines deliver the power to the 220 kV booster stations.
The project comprises 303 PV power generation zones, meaning that the entire 1,000 MW solar power system splits into many independent generation units. This design facilitates construction organization and simplifies future operation and maintenance. In the desert environment, dust accumulation on modules is also an important operational concern. The region experiences frequent sandstorms.
Therefore, module cleaning, dust protection, and equipment heat dissipation directly affect long-term power generation efficiency.
4. Wind Power Construction Scale
The Alashan region simultaneously hosts multiple large-scale wind power projects. According to the local new energy plan, the Tengger New Energy Base plans for 4,000 MW of wind capacity.
In addition, areas such as Alashan Right Banner and Alashan Left Banner have also built several large wind farms and wind-storage projects. Some projects use 8 MW to 10 MW class wind turbines. Large turbines achieve higher per-turbine capacity with a limited number of turbine positions, thereby reducing the number of positions needed per unit of installed capacity.
For large onshore wind turbines, engineers must design the foundations and towers according to the specific turbine model, wind resource conditions, and geological site characteristics. The design focuses on controlling overturning, settlement, and long-term fatigue loads.
5. Complementarity Between Wind and PV
Wind and PV generation exhibit different output characteristics. PV generation concentrates mainly during daytime hours. In contrast, wind power generation is not strictly limited by day-night cycles.
Therefore, building both wind and PV capacity within a large renewable energy base can achieve a certain degree of resource complementarity. During the day, when PV output is high, wind power can supply electricity to the grid together with PV. At night, when PV generation ceases, wind power can still continue to provide electricity.
However, both wind and PV generation remain subject to weather conditions. Consequently, the system still needs energy storage to perform power regulation.
6. Energy Storage System Configuration
The 1,000 MW PV project in the Alashan High-Tech Industrial Development Zone equips a 200 MW / 400 MWh energy storage system. In this configuration, 200 MW represents the maximum charge and discharge power of the storage system, while 400 MWh denotes its storage capacity.
Based on the rated power, the system can theoretically achieve a full-power discharge for about two hours. The energy storage system can absorb excess electricity when renewable generation is high. It can then release that electricity when renewable output drops.
In this way, it reduces the impact of rapid power fluctuations from renewable sources on the grid. For a million-kilowatt-class renewable energy base, energy storage has already become a key device for improving grid-friendliness.
7. Step-Up Transformation and Power Collection
Large wind-solar-storage projects typically adopt an electrical structure with zoned collection and centralized step-up transformation.
First, collection lines gather electricity from PV arrays and wind turbines. Then, the power enters booster stations for voltage transformation. Finally, high-voltage transmission lines deliver the power to the regional grid.
For example, the 1,000 MW PV project in the Alashan High-Tech Zone includes two 220 kV booster stations. Similarly, the 1,000 MW wind-storage project in Alashan Right Banner constructs 220 kV grid-connection facilities and further connects to a higher-voltage grid.
This shows that the electrical systems of large new energy projects have gradually evolved from single-station internal power supply to a centralized transmission system for large regional renewable energy bases.
8. Construction Characteristics in Desert Environments
Much of the Alashan New Energy Base lies in desert, Gobi, and arid areas. The construction zones typically feature large areas, dispersed equipment, and long transportation distances.
For PV projects, workers need to build extensive module support structures and internal access roads. For wind projects, they must address the transportation and lifting of large towers, nacelles, and blades.
At the same time, dusty weather can affect equipment transport, module installation, and large turbine hoisting. Therefore, project scheduling must align with local meteorological conditions to arrange suitable working windows.
9. Environmental Adaptability of Storage and Equipment
Desert areas experience large temperature differences between day and night. Summer heat, winter cold, and sandy conditions all affect renewable energy equipment. For solar inverters, step-up transformers, and power conversion systems for storage, heat dissipation and dust protection are critical considerations.
The energy storage system also requires a battery management system, a thermal management system, and a fire protection system. These systems ensure battery safety and stability during long-term charge and discharge cycles.
10. Conclusion
The Alashan wind-solar-storage renewable energy base leverages its abundant wind and solar resources. It has developed a collaborative construction model that integrates wind power, PV generation, energy storage, and high-voltage transmission.
The million-kilowatt-class PV projects, the 200 MW / 400 MWh storage system, and the large-scale wind power installations together demonstrate the engineering trend toward large-scale, integrated development in desert, Gobi, and arid new energy bases.
