The Tsinghua University Energy Internet Research Institution was launched in Beijing on April 24.

Representatives from Tsinghua University, the China Electric Power Research Institute, National Energy Administration, and Beijing's Haidian district announced the launch of the research institution.

Chen Sheng, CEO of the 21Vianet Group signed an agreement to sponsor and cooperate with the research institution.

Energy Internet is a necessary path to promote energy reform and improve energy utilization efficiency of the country. It is the core of the third industrial revolution and the most recent focus of global industry.

In addition, energy is part of the "internet+" plan. The integration of the Internet with energy management will bring huge changes to existing industry structure.

As the largest neutral internet infrastructure service provider in telecommunications, the 21Vianet Group operates and manages more than 80 data centers and 21,000 equipment cabinets in 30 cities. The annual energy expenses of the corporation's 16 data centers reaches 100 million yuan ($16.11 million) level .

In the coming three to five years, the number of new equipment cabinets will be further expanded and the company will become a leader in China's internet data center industry.

The goal is to establish green data center projects with the help of Tsinghua University and other energy researchers.

In addition, the institution will serve as a platform to invest and construct renewable energy projects to meet the energy needs of Vianet's 21 data centers.

Moreover, the research center will keep cooperating with domestic clean energy and renewable energy providers.

Authorities from Tsinghua University, National Energy Administration, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Haidian District in Beijing, and the National Natural Science Foundation, and energy and internet corporations participated in the conference.