Message From the Director

2023 is the first year to comprehensively implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, and also the first year for the Chinese Academy of Sciences to implement the "3+5" development strategy. Over the year, the Institute of Engineering Thermophysics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, was guided by Xi Jinping's thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era and strictly abided by the mission orientation of the main force of national strategic scientific and technological forces. The whole institute was united to overcome difficulties. With the core task of accelerating the seizing of the scientific and technological commanding heights in the field of energy and power, the Institute deepened the reform of the scientific and technological ystem, actively strived for major tasks, and paid close attention to major achievements, so that all undertakings reached a new level.

In 2023, we have deepened reforms and strived for excellence. We solidly promoted the restructuring of the national key laboratory system: the "National Key Laboratory of Light Turbine Power" has entered the preparation and operation stage, and the "Key Laboratory of Long term and Large scale Energy Storage" has been approved for construction. The national major scientific and technological infrastructure construction tasks were implemented well: the "High-efficiency and low-carbon gas turbine testing device" and "‘Chung-Hua’ thermophysical experimental device" were smoothly advanced according to the time nodes. The construction of scientific and technological infrastructure was strengthened: the approval for the site selection of science and education infrastructure projects during the 14th Five Year Plan period was obtained from the Beijing Municipal Government. The construction of talent team was continuously improved, with an annual increase of 1 academician of the CAS Member and more than 20 high-level talents of various types such as the Outstanding young people, the Leaders, the Youth trust, etc. Over 300 scientific research projects were undertaken throughout the year, with funding exceeding 1.7 billion CNY, reaching a new historical record.

In 2023, we have worked hard and achieved remarkable results. Focusing on the national major needs and the world’s scientific and technological frontiers, we made a number of major scientific and technological achievements. The first single shaft turbofan engine completed its maiden flight, which was selected as the highlight achievement of the report of the 2024 Annual Work Conference of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The world’s first 100-MW advanced compressed air energy storage power station has passed the achievement appraisal, and its rated efficiency is internationally leading. The world’s first 300-MW level advanced compressed air energy storage system expander has successfully rolled off the line and has been selected for the Annual Scientific and Technological Progress in “Guangming Daily”. The in orbit ignition tests were carried out on the manned space station combustion science experimental system we led and the first batch of microgravity combustion science experimental data were obtained for China's space stations. We have established the theory of concentrated solar energy energy quality potential and a series of innovative methods, and proposed a new three-step cycle method for thermochemical hydrogen production. The independently developed 30-MW gas turbine has completed 4000 hours of industrial assessment test and passed the achievement appraisal. The new-theory wide-speed-range ATR engine has completed the first engine assembly and cold operation. The supersonic drones have completed performance evaluation tests. The pilot project of "Clean Coal Combustion and Low Carbon Utilization" has entered the comprehensive implementation stage, and all demonstration projects have been smoothly progressed.

In 2023, we won several awards in the field of technology and culture construction. We received 8 awards including the 24th China Patent Award, the first prize of the Energy Innovation Award of the China Energy Research Association, and the first prize of the Science and Technology Award of the Chinese Engineering Thermophysics Society. The party branches of the efficient and low-carbon gas turbine team and the management support team have been awarded the honorary title of “Four Strongest Party Branches of the Central and State Organs”. The party branch of the circulating fluidized bed team has been awarded the title of "Top Four" Model Party Branch and "Advanced Grassroots Party Organization" of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The advanced compressed air energy storage research team won the title of the fourth "Famous Craftsman in Science Park" of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

In 2024, the leadership team of the Institute will unite and lead all employees, resolutely implement the instructions and requirements of the Party Central Committee and the decisions and deployments of the Party group of the CAS, seize new opportunities, welcome new challenges and achieve new development with a strong sense of mission, responsibility and urgency. We will focus on top-level design, project implementation and research team building, make major breakthroughs in core technologies in the energy and power field, and contributes to building a world leader in science and technology and achieving greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology.