A thematic side event titled "Digital-Intelligent Innovation for Green Electricity: Building a New Power System and New Practices for Global Energy Transition" was held in Antalya, Turkiye, on Nov 13 local time, on the sidelines of the China Pavilion at COP31, officially known as the 31st session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
The event was guided by China's National Energy Administration, hosted by China Southern Power Grid (CSG), and co-organized by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the Office for China-IRENA Cooperation (China Renewable Energy Engineering Institute).
Through the release of research findings, roundtable discussions and case studies, the side event showcased Chinese energy companies' innovative exploration and international practices in building a new power system, contributing Chinese expertise and solutions to the global low-carbon energy transition.
Liu Zhenmin, China's special envoy for climate change, Francesco La Camera, director-general of IRENA, Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, under-secretary-general of the United Nations and executive secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Xiong Minfeng, deputy director-general of the Department of International Cooperation under National Energy Administration of China, attended the event and delivered opening remarks.
At the side event, CSG, aligning with the broader context of global energy transition and climate governance, presented its achievements in building a new power system through systematic innovation practices.
A highlight of the event was the joint release by CSG, IRENA and the China Renewable Energy Engineering Institute of "Solutions for building a new power system: The role of grids, storage and hydropower". The report systematically reviews the technical requirements arising from high shares of renewable energy and increasing electrification, and introduces solutions and practical experience from early-moving countries.
The Global Energy Storage Alliance Initiative was officially launched by CSG Energy Storage, the China Renewable Energy Engineering Institute and the China Energy Storage Alliance, together with leading domestic and international enterprises, with several international institutions and industry organizations expressing their intention to join.
As a representative unit of the alliance, CSG Energy Storage outlined how advances in energy storage can support the development of new power systems.
CSG released for the first time the Chinese and English editions of the CSG White Paper on Green Development, comprehensively presenting the company's achievements during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25) in clean energy supply, green and low-carbon operations, and electricity-carbon coupling business, and outlining plans to further develop three key areas — a new power system, new energy systems, and a new-type power grid — during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30).
The green and low-carbon case-sharing session showcased a range of innovative practices by CSG. China Southern Power Dispatching and Control Center, demonstrated how China is using AI to support the green energy transition, building an AI forecasting system covering weather, new energy and load.
CSG International shared the comprehensive low-carbon development practices of Pluz Energia Peru. CSG Electricity and Carbon Services presented the results of building a refined electricity-carbon factor measurement system. CSG EHV Power Transmission Company introduced the "CSG Forest" carbon-inclusive green public-interest brand. CSG Guangxi Power Grid highlighted efforts to integrate rural low-carbon development with climate adaptation under the "Green Binyang, Power for Every Home" initiative.
In addition, the side event featured a traditional culture experience, including a tea-tasting experience using electrically powered equipment and an interactive "Journey of Energy Transition" quiz to showcase how green technologies are being integrated into everyday life in China.
