Starting from 1986, China has successively included the research on UHV transmission technology in the national “7th Five-Year Plan”, “8th Five-Year Plan” and “10th Five-Year Plan” for scientific and technological research. In the past two decades, China's scientific research institutions have done a lot of work in the field of UHV, and the research on UHV technology has entered into practical technology research and testing, and a number of important scientific and technological achievements have been made. China Electric Power Research Institute, Wuhan High Voltage Research Institute, Electric Power Construction Research Institute and relevant colleges and universities have successively carried out research on China's extra-high voltage long-distance transmission mode and voltage level selection, analyzed and demonstrated extra-high voltage transmission and transformation equipments, lines, pylons and typical substations, and researched on over-voltage of the extra-high voltage transmission system, insulation coordination and the impacts of transmission lines on the environment.

The tower test station constructed by the Electric Power Construction Research Institute in 2004 has carried out tests on UHV single-circuit 8×800 split conductor, 30°~60°turning angle tower prototype strength test and vibration-proof design scheme test for UHV transmission lines.

In order to carry out technical research on UHV transmission in China as early as possible, and to promote the development of UHV transmission in China, the former Ministry of Electric Power of the People's Republic of China “National Networking and Higher Voltage Transmission Steering Group” decided to build UHV test and research line section in the outdoor high-voltage test site of Wuhan High Voltage Research Institute through the authentication by the experts in the beginning of 1994 and completed the construction of China's first one-million-voltage single-circuit 8×800 split conductor in June 1996. In June 1996, China's first mega-volt-class UHV test and research section was built. The test section can carry out the research on the outer insulation discharge characteristics of UHV transmission technology and the impact of the line on the environment, as well as the assessment test research on some electrical products and components. Its completion provides favorable conditions for China to carry out research on higher-level transmission technology.

The main features of this test and research section are as follows:

1) Meet the research of extra-high voltage transmission related technology

The section is characterized by a large voltage range of applied research and flexible and convenient adjustment, which can meet the test and research of the voltage range of 800 to 1200kV level related to the external insulation and environmental impacts and other projects.

2) Adopting the real analog LaV tower

Due to the small footprint of the LaV tower, its wide application and the fact that it is easy to change the tower shape with the analog board, the analog tower in the test section is chosen to be the real analog LaV tower. The tower can be used to simulate the actual line tower, in order to test and study the insulation characteristics of the line tower and insulator string discharge characteristics.

3) Changeable Tower Window Gap Size

In the design of the real analog LaV tower, the size of the tower is left with a margin, and there are several lifting points on the crossbar of the tower's side phases, so that the size of the gap can be changed during the test.

4) Length and type of insulators can be changed

The length of insulators (glass, porcelain and synthetic) can be changed by certain construction means (e.g. increasing or decreasing the number of insulator pieces).

5) Different types of conductors that can be suspended

8- or 10-split LGJ400, LGJ 500 or LGJ 630 conductors can be suspended to study the corona characteristics of different conductors and the insulation characteristics of the gap.

Using this test and research line section, we can simulate the actual operation of the lines and towers, and carry out the following research work on the practical technology of UHV power transmission:

1) Insulation Discharge Characteristics Study

The discharge characteristics of gaps (e.g. tower window gaps, conductor-tower gaps, arc angle gaps, etc.) and the volt-second characteristics of impact discharges as well as the discharge characteristics of insulator strings are studied.

2) Research on lines and towers

Research on line corona characteristics, insulator voltage distribution, large cross-section conductors, line fittings and line electric work technology is carried out.

3) Research on the environmental impact of the line

Research on the environmental impact of the line (radio interference, electrostatic induction, audible noise and ecological impact, etc.) was carried out.

4) Long-term industrial frequency pressurization test

line section has the ability to apply single-phase industrial frequency high voltage for a long period of time, so that long-term industrial frequency pressurization test can be carried out on extra-high-voltage small-capacitance electrical products or components, so as to continuously improve and perfect the design of the product and component structure.