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Journal of Desert Research ›› 2025, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (6): 249-257.DOI: 10.7522/j.issn.1000-694X.2025.00145

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Impact of photovoltaic power stations on the aeolian sand environment of gobi in the Sugan Lake BasinQinghai-Xizang Plateau

Qinghe Niu1(), Chunli Su2(), Jianhua Xiao1, Bo Wang3, Lei Xia2, Qing Zhang1,4, Lulu Liu1,4   

  1. 1.State Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands / Dunhuang Gobi Desert Research Station,Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources,Chinese Academy of Sciences,Lanzhou 730000,China
    2.East China Electric Power Design Institute Co. ,Ltd. ,China Power Engineering Consulting Group,Shanghai 200063,China
    3.China Power Engineering Consulting Group Co. ,Ltd,Beijing 100001,China
    4.University of Chinese Academy of Sciences,Beijing 100049,China
  • Received:2025-08-12 Revised:2025-09-18 Online:2025-11-20 Published:2025-11-26
  • Contact: Chunli Su

Abstract:

Based on the study of a newly constructed photovoltaic power station(PPS) located in the middle of the Sugan Lake Basin on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau as the study area, this paper analyzed the impact of the PPS on the aeolian sand environment by synchronously installing automatic meteorological stations and eight-directional sand traps inside and outside the PPS for comparative aeolian sand observations. The results show that the PPS significantly weakens wind-sand dynamics and exerts a distinct directional effect. The average wind speed, sand-lifting wind frequency, and maximum possible sand transport rate have all significantly decreased, with reduction rates of 48.50%, 57.69%, and 84.01%, respectively. The overall wind direction, sand-drifting wind direction, and synthetic sand transport direction have all tended toward the longitudinal axis of the photovoltaic panels. However, construction disturbance led to increased sand sources within the PPS and altered obstacles for sand transport, resulting in a measured sand transport rate inside the PPS 9.61 times higher than outside. Therefore, soil-water conservation measures should be prioritized during gobi PPS construction, with original ground surfaces restored promptly post-construction. Necessary sand-fixing measures must be implemented to reduce internal sand transport and avoid creating new regional sand sources. Assessments of wind-sand environments for gobi PPS should emphasize field-measured sand transport data, as theoretical evaluations relying solely on meteorological data may substantially deviate from actual conditions.

Key words: Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, Sugan Lake Basin, photovoltaic power station, wind-sand dynamics, gobi desert

CLC Number: