Installation, debugging, and operational management have encountered various anticipated and unanticipated significant challenges.


The application of the scientific and technological achievements of the Three Gorges Project profoundly reflects the current level of water conservancy and hydropower science and technology in our country, especially the independent innovation of local scientific and technological personnel in fields such as engineering construction, electromechanical equipment development, and ecological protection.

  Since the start of construction in 1993, the Three Gorges Project has seen the birth of new technologies, new processes, and new patents every year. According to incomplete statistics, among the scientific and technological achievements of the Three Gorges Project, it has won 18 National Science and Technology Progress Awards, over 200 provincial and ministerial-level Science and Technology Progress Awards, applied for more than 700 patents, and established over 100 engineering quality and technical standards that exceed national and ministerial standards.

  Zhang Zhihui, a postdoctoral researcher at the China Three Gorges Corporation Research Station and an associate researcher at the Institute for the History of Natural Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, was invited to write an article titled 'Three Gorges Project: Creating a New Height in International Water Conservancy and Hydropower Technology,' which was exclusively published in 'China Economic Weekly.'

  

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  On July 21, 2010, the Three Gorges Dam had opened nine deep flood discharge holes and two drift discharge holes for flood discharge.

  Zhang Zhihui, postdoctoral researcher at China Three Gorges Corporation Research Station, associate researcher at Institute for the History of Natural Sciences of Chinese Academy of Sciences

  Editor: Chen Dongdong

  Review Editor: Zhang Wei

  (This article was published in 'China Economic Weekly' Issue No.14 in 2019)

  The Three Gorges Project is the only major national engineering project approved by the National People's Congress. From its design proposal to repeated scientific demonstrations before construction officially began, it embodies the care and support from the Party and government for this project. The construction started on December 14, 1994, and entered initial operation in October 2006; it is currently the largest hydraulic hub project in the world.

  From its inception with permanent ship lock high slope excavation to unit manufacturing, installation debugging, and operational management, the Three Gorges Project has faced various anticipated and unanticipated challenges. Ultimately, scientists overcame numerous technical difficulties to achieve over a hundred 'world records.' Since construction began in 1993, new technologies, processes, patents have emerged every year. According to incomplete statistics among its scientific achievements are: winning 18 National Science and Technology Progress Awards; over 200 provincial-level awards; applying for more than700 patents; establishing over100 engineering quality standards exceeding national standards.

  In fact, since the1950s generations of scientific experts have begun research efforts around the Three Gorges Project. Major topics such as key equipment for ship lifts proposed by experts have been included in national research efforts during 'Seventh Five-Year Plan', 'Eighth Five-Year Plan', even into 'Ninth Five-Year Plan'. More than40 thousand builders of this project along with thousands of engineers from research institutes across China have persistently contributed their efforts to advance research on this project.

  The application of scientific achievements from the Three Gorges Project profoundly reflects China's current level of water conservancy science technology especially highlighting local scientists' independent innovations in fields like engineering construction electromechanical equipment development ecological protection etc. In2011,the dam was recognized as an international milestone concrete dam project.In2016,the project received FIDIC's century award for major civil engineering projects.

  In April2018,during his inspection visit toThree Gorges Project General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that it is a crucial national asset created through hard work by laborers achieving self-reliance which was very inspiring after seeing it.The successful completion operation has turned generations’ dreams about developing utilizing resources into reality becoming an important symbol since reform opening up.This exemplifies our socialist system's superiority concentrating strength on significant tasks showcasing Chinese people's wisdom creativity representing our nation’s growing prosperity strength.