I’m a local from Yichang, Hubei, China. The Three Gorges Dam is here. Today, I want to share more about it.
The dam is the largest hydroelectric power project in the world. This large project is in Hubei Province. A source of pride for China and a global example of clean energy exists.
1. Water Level Management: Flood Control and Power Generation
The water level of the Three Gorges Dam can reach up to 175 meters, equivalent to the height of a 60-story building. This design stops flood water during the flood season. It reduces flood losses in the middle and lower Yangtze River by about 95 billion yuan each year.
It also releases stored water during the dry season. This helps protect irrigation and navigation downstream.
Did you know that when water levels rise by 1 meter, power generation increases? It can go up by about 100 million kWh. This is equivalent to the electricity consumption of a medium-sized city for one month.
2.The power plant: the world’s most powerful “clean money-printing machine”.
The dam has 34 generating units. They produce over 100 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity each year. This is enough to power 120 million American homes.
The amazing thing is that the electricity made here can reach Shanghai, 2,000 kilometers away, in just 15 minutes. They accomplish this through extra-high-voltage lines. The Three Gorges powers one out of every 10 lights in East China!
The 2020 data shows that daily income from power generation is about 77 million yuan. Locals jokingly call it the “ATM machine on the Yangtze River.”
3.Three Gorges University: The “Whampoa Military Academy” for Hydropower Talents
Three Gorges University is just 30 kilometers from the dam. Over the past 40 years, it has trained 150,000 hydropower experts. They have helped build over 200 hydropower plants worldwide. This includes projects like the Lake Weir in Pakistan and others in Brazil.
Last year, the university started the “Three Gorges Order Class.” This program works with the Yangtze River Power Company. It focuses on training people in pumped storage technology. Employers booked the students out before they graduated, offering a starting salary of 80,000 U.S. dollars a year.
4.Hubei’s Heart: From Chemical City to Green Energy Hub
As the site of the dam, Hubei Province has seen some of the most amazing transformations. 20 years ago, Yichang was a heavily polluted area surrounded by chemicals. Today, the hydropower industry has caused a 12% rise in the province’s green GDP. Even old factories have turned into new energy science and technology parks.
5. Blueprint for the future: a new era of smart hydropower
The Three Gorges team is testing an underwater robot. This robot will check the dam’s health using AI. They plan to boost the efficiency of pumped storage power plants by 15% by 2030. They will also offer Chinese solutions for grid changes in places like California.
Travel Tip
– Best Viewing Point: altar ridge observation deck (you can see both the 5-stage locks and the power plant)
– Hidden Play: Participate in the “Engineer Experience Day” and operate the miniature hydraulic turbine model.
–Environmental Egg: The scenic spot shuttle buses use water and electricity for charging, resulting in a zero carbon footprint.
The next time you flip the light switch, you might be tapping into the Yangtze River’s waves. This is the energy story of the Three Gorges Dam told through flowing water. Want to delve deeper into the mysteries of hydropower? Follow my column to bring you a more comprehensive view of the Three Gorges Dam project!