Digital Technologies Safeguard Shaanxi’s Summer Power Supply

At the height of summer, prolonged high temperatures are driving up electricity demand. As the power grid faces the challenge of meeting peak summer demand, State Grid Shaanxi Electric Power Co., Ltd. is using digital technologies to enhance the reliability of its power supply and make grid operations smarter, more efficient and more reliable.

In Yongshou County of Xianyang City in Shaanxi Province, inspecting power lines in mountainous areas once required workers to climb mountains and cross rugged terrain, making the process relatively inefficient. Today, UAVs serve as "aerial assistants" for power line inspections. Equipped for autonomous inspections and supported by digital platforms, they can accurately identify potential hazards involving transmission towers and power lines, significantly reducing inspection time and allowing risks to be detected earlier.

Remote Intelligent Inspection System

In Weinan, substations have adopted an intelligent inspection system in which quadruped robots, UAVs and high-definition surveillance equipment work together to monitor equipment status around the clock. This shift from conventional inspections to intelligent monitoring is making grid operations and maintenance more precise and efficient.

UAVs inspect power lines for potential problems in extreme heat

Amid high temperatures, infrared thermal imaging devices and intelligent inspection equipment have also become important tools for keeping the power grid operating safely. Using these technologies, operations and maintenance personnel conduct comprehensive checks of substation equipment and cable lines, promptly identifying abnormalities that may be difficult to detect with the naked eye and reducing operational risks.

Quadruped Inspection Robot

Digital technology is not only helping secure urban power supplies but also supporting rural development. In the Yangling Agricultural High-tech Industry Demonstration Zone, an intelligent sensing system monitors electricity demand for agricultural production in real time, providing a stable power supply for smart greenhouses and integrated water-fertilizer systems.

Inside the cable trench at the 110 kV Mingxing Substation, staff inspect equipment using a combination of manual and robotic methods

From UAVs in the air and intelligent inspection equipment underground to data platforms covering the entire grid, a digital transformation of power grid operations and maintenance is underway across Shaanxi. Technology is enabling a more proactive approach to ensuring reliable power supplies, helping households across the province stay cool and comfortable during the hot summer months.