Xi'an Jiaotong University (XJTU) and its partners have developed the world's first 800 kV/80 kA high-capacity circuit breaker, which recently passed rigorous testing and technical appraisal by China's electrical equipment professional institutions.

This breakthrough provides critical equipment support for addressing short-circuit current overruns in China's 750 kV power grid.

China's energy landscape has shifted dramatically, with new energy sources now accounting for over one-third of total installed capacity, surpassing coal-fired power. This surge in power sources has disrupted the original equipment-parameter matching, increasing the risk of grid damage during faults.

To mitigate this, the rated breaking capacity must be upgraded from 63 kA to 80 kA. Globally, 800 kV switch equipment previously maxed out at 63 kA. Increasing this to 80 kA enables short-circuit current control without grid restructuring, offering a fundamental solution to grid safety.

Professor Rong Mingzhe's team began R&D in 2022, overcoming foreign technology monopolies and domestic knowledge gaps, partnering with Henan Pinggao Electric Co, and later collaborating with State Grid Shaanxi Electric Power Corporation.

Rong emphasized that the product is driven by University R&D, enterprise manufacturing, State Grid application, and the integration of innovation, manufacturing, and user chains.