BEIJING, Dec. 11 -- A smart microgrid, the first of its kind in China, has been put into operation at a port in the eastern province of Jiangsu as a pioneer initiative in implementing the country's zero-carbon port plan.

The intelligent microgrid system, built in the Port of Lianyungang, consists of 5.2 MW of distributed photovoltaic power generation equipment, 5 MW of new energy storage facilities, battery-swapping container trucks, all-electric tugboats, electric front cranes, and empty container stackers, with the aim of achieving near-zero carbon emissions throughout the entire process of ship berthing, cargo handling and transportation, Science and Technology Daily reported on Wednesday.

This initiative provides "a replicable and scalable model" for the development of zero-carbon ports in China, said the report.

In June 2024, the Ministry of Transport announced the first batch of zero-carbon pilot projects for typical transportation and facilities on highways and waterways -- including an international container terminal and freight container hub in the Port of Lianyungang.

In response, State Grid Jiangsu Electric Power Co., Ltd. collaborated with the Port of Lianyungang in building the "multi-energy complementary intelligent microgrid" featuring green energy and high efficiency.

"With various types of power generation and consumption equipment connected to the microgrid, annual clean energy generation can exceed 6 million kWh," said Yang Huadong, general manager of the Engineering and Technology Department of Lianyungang Port Holding Group Co., Ltd.

"Through flexible scheduling of the microgrid, annual electricity cost savings at our port exceed 3 million yuan (417,270 U.S. dollars). We can save 21,000 tonnes of standard coal and thus reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 56,000 tonnes every year," said Yang.