Construction is progressing rapidly at the State Grid Xinyuan Hebei Funing Pumped Storage Power Station project. A major milestone was recently achieved with the successful hoisting and installation of the stay ring and spiral casing for the fourth and final generating unit. This accelerates the formation of the 1.2-million-kilowatt "super power bank."

Deep underground at 110 meters, the site is brightly lit. Beneath the massive cavern roof, a stay ring and spiral casing weighing 176 tons, standing 2.5 meters high, and with a maximum diameter of nearly 12 meters, was slowly lowered into precise alignment with the foundation ring. Feng Jun, the on-site commander for the hoisting operation, closely monitored the landing point, directing seamless coordination between various work teams with millimeter precision. Feng Jun, a team leader at the project, explained that the operation required flawless teamwork between crane operators and rigging crews. Personnel were stationed at every angle to conduct repeated, precise monitoring and adjustments throughout the process. The allowed margin of error for the hoisting was no more than 0.3 millimeters, requiring intense focus from every worker on site. After approximately half an hour of aerial transport, positioning adjustments, and careful alignment, the massive component was settled steadily and accurately into its designated position on the foundation ring.

Ma Chen, a turbine installation engineer for the project, emphasized the critical role of this component, describing it as the benchmark and "heart" for all subsequent equipment installation. The precision of its placement significantly impacts the operational stability and efficiency of the generating unit. The stay ring and spiral casing function like a meticulously designed "high-speed track" for high-pressure water flow, ensuring it enters the turbine runner stably and uniformly to promote efficient conversion of hydraulic energy into electrical energy. The successful "millimeter-level positioning" of this component for the fourth unit marks the completion of installation for the core water-passing components of all four turbines at the power station.

As a key project under China's 13th Five-Year Plan for energy development, the State Grid Xinyuan Funing Pumped Storage Power Station represents a total investment of 8.059 billion yuan. With a total installed capacity of 1.2 million kilowatts, the station is scheduled to see its first unit begin operation in 2027. Fang Yiming, the installation manager for the station's generating units, reported that the project has now fully entered the peak period for electromechanical installation. Construction of the upper reservoir dam is nearly 80% complete, the lower reservoir dam has been filled to its full height, and the water diversion system is fully connected. All four units are planned to be connected to the grid and operational by 2028.

Once completed and operational, the Funing Pumped Storage Power Station will significantly enhance the grid's capacity to absorb power from renewable sources like wind and solar, as well as electricity transmitted from other regions. This will improve the overall security, reliability, and economic efficiency of the power system. Ren Wei, head of the electromechanical department for the project company, highlighted the station's multiple functions, including peak shaving, energy storage, system backup, and black-start capability. Annually, it is expected to reduce standard coal consumption by 105,200 tons and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 249,000 tons, directly lowering energy consumption and corresponding carbon emissions.