An aerial drone photo taken on March 29, 2024 shows the Xiong'an Railway Station in Xiong'an New Area, north China's Hebei Province. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)
XIONG'AN, Hebei, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Shaped like a dew drop on a lotus leaf, Xiong'an Railway Station stands as an architectural marvel to many. What is extraordinary is that this station can generate power on its own.
In April 2017, China announced a plan to establish the Xiong'an New Area, which spans the Rongcheng, Anxin and Xiongxian counties, as well as some adjacent areas in north China's Hebei Province.
The new area aims to relieve Beijing of non-essential functions related to its status as the nation's capital, while also advancing the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.
As the first important infrastructure project in the new area, Xiong'an Railway Station plays a pivotal role in connecting Beijing and Xiong'an.
The station's roof is a photovoltaic power station, with 42,000 square meters of photovoltaic panels installed, which can generate 5.8 million kWh of electricity on average annually, according to State Grid Xiong'an Integrated Energy Services Co., Ltd.
"Its annual power generation is expected to reach 5.8 million kWh, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 4,500 tonnes and saving 1,800 tonnes of standard coal, equivalent to planting 12 hectares of trees," said Luo Xiaodong, project manager of State Grid Xiong'an Integrated Energy Services Co., Ltd.
Luo said the project was officially connected to the grid for power on Dec. 25, 2020, two days before Xiong'an Railway Station officially started operations, with a view to providing green energy for the station and enhancing the green development of the new area, a futuristic city in China.
More than 20 pairs of inter-city trains are traveling between Beijing and Xiong'an daily, providing convenience to the builders of the new area, and to both domestic and international tourists.
"Seven years ago, if we wanted to reach Xiong'an, we had to drive 100 km from Beijing," said Du Xiaojun, director of Xiong'an Railway Station. "But nowadays, departing from Beijing West Railway Station, one can reach Xiong'an Railway Station in about 50 minutes."
Up to 2.72 million travellers have been transported to and from the Xiong'an Railway Station since it officially started operating, Du added.
In just seven years, Xiong'an was transformed from a blueprint into reality. Xiong'an Railway Station, which with its smart and green features, has become a testament to the area's ever-evolving transformation.
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