Recently, Zeng Rong, Vice President of Tsinghua University and his delegation visited the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) and the International Energy Agency (IEA). Key personnel from the Department of Electrical Engineering and Applied Electronics (EEA), the Department of Engineering Physics, and the Research Institute accompanied them in various activities.

On the morning of August 28, Zeng Rong led the visit to BIPM. BIPM Director Martin Milton warmly welcomed the delegation and introduced the development history of the International System of Units, as well as the mission and obligations of BIPM in ensuring the uniformity of measurement values worldwide. He emphasized the significant impact of the 2019 quantum revolution of the International System of Units on fundamental metrology. Zeng Rong presented an overview of Tsinghua University’s research activities, reflecting on its contributions to China’s development and the global scientific community, and expressed eagerness for further collaborative research with BIPM. Professor Kang Chongqing, Dean of EEA, stated that the department would fully support enhanced collaborative research with BIPM, especially in the area of quantum standards for power balances, where there is already a solid foundation for cooperation.

During the visit, Zeng Rong and Milton signed a research cooperation agreement, clarifying that in the next four years, both parties would further engage in collaborative research to advance the development and application of next-generation power balance quantum standards. The agreement signing was facilitated by Dr. Michael Stock, Director of the BIPM’s Institute of Physics Metrology. Stock specifically introduced the research direction and importance of the cooperative project on “Next-Generation Power Balance Quantum Standards,” noting that the research group led by Li Shisong from Tsinghua University would collaborate with BIPM’s power balance group to tackle technical challenges and include the distribution of new-generation power balance quantum standards to national metrology institutions in underdeveloped countries in their collaborative work plan.

Zeng Rong and Milton signed a research cooperation agreement

After signing the agreement, the delegation toured laboratories for quantum base standards, including power balances, quantum voltage, and quantum resistance. Li Shisong introduced the THU-2 power balance magnet testing, validation, and application work set to commence within the BIPM power balance group. The THU-2 magnet is the latest generation of power balance magnet systems independently developed by Tsinghua, featuring strong magnetic fields, a large uniform field area, simple operation, and a compact design that is easy to integrate. BIPM experts highly praised Tsinghua University’s innovative research achievements in power balance magnet systems.

Zeng Rong and his delegation visited BIPM

On the afternoon of August 28, Zeng Rong led the visit to the IEA. He noted that under the leadership of Director Fatih Birol, the IEA plays a significant role in promoting global collaboration for energy transition, providing a wide multilateral cooperation platform and data research resources for scholars worldwide. Mr. Zeng introduced to Birol and his IEA colleagues the series of achievements China has made in energy transition in recent years, as well as Tsinghua University’s active contributions to national energy transition efforts. He also discussed the university’s energy-related disciplines and the ongoing organization of a global multilateral cooperation major scientific project, “Carbon Neutrality and Energy System Transformation (CNEST),” seeking IEA’s attention and support. Zeng expressed hope that the IEA could offer research internship opportunities for Tsinghua students, helping them broaden their global perspectives and encouraging more young people to engage in promoting global cooperation and green energy development. Kang Chongqing shared some of the important research achievements of EEA and the Energy Internet Research Institute of Tsinghua University regarding clean energy development and accelerating zero-carbon goals, hoping for continued close collaboration with the IEA on important international energy development issues. Birol expressed high appreciation for the rapid development of China’s new energy sector, recalling the growth of new energy installations and the flourishing electric vehicle industry in China. He congratulated and thanked China for its significant achievements in the new energy sector and its important contributions to global green transformation. Birol also reflected on the longstanding friendly relations with the Chinese government and Tsinghua University, looking forward to strengthening cooperation and communication in the future to jointly promote global energy transition and technological advancement.

Zeng Rong and Fatih Birol shared their views

During the discussions, Zeng Rong extended an invitation to Birol to visit Tsinghua University again at a suitable time. Both parties reached a preliminary agreement to enhance personnel exchanges, focusing on talent development and providing research internship opportunities. They also agreed to collaboratively promote relevant technology research and application demonstrations on important issues concerning international energy development. IEA Senior Advisor Yang Jun and Rebecca McKimm, Head of the IEA’s China Affairs Cooperation Division, participated in the discussions.

Zeng Rong and his delegation visited IEA headquarters