Hebei: Technology Assists Power Grid Maintenance to Ensure Safe Winter Peak Power Supply

SHIJIAZHUANG, China, Nov. 19, 2024 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/–

On October 28, at the 1000kV Baoding Ultra-High Voltage Substation in Hebei Province, Liu Chang, a staff member of State Grid Hebei Ultra-High Voltage Company, led an inspection team to prepare for taking “X-ray photos” of the substation equipment. Upon receiving the inspection instruction, the internal images of the equipment were clearly displayed on the monitor of the detector. “The Baoding Substation is an important hub for the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei load center and will provide a continuous power supply to the Hebei power grid during the winter peak period. This maintenance uses X-ray inspection technology, which can intuitively display and image the changes in the internal structure of enclosed equipment, facilitating maintenance personnel to accurately grasp the equipment status and ensure the safe and stable operation of the power grid,” said Liu Chang.

To better prepare for the winter peak power supply period, Hebei Electric Power started the autumn “examination” early, arranging 39 professional tasks in advance, and investing in more than 2,600 sets of equipment such as aerial work platforms and live-line maintenance vehicles. It plans to carry out 1,214 maintenance items for transmission and transformation equipment of 35kV and above. The company scientifically promotes autumn power grid inspections, making full use of “machine substitution” and digital platforms to improve the quality and efficiency of autumn inspections.

During the switching operation of the No. 3 main transformer at the 220kV Fengcheng Substation, Shijiazhuang Power Supply Company utilized an intelligent operating robot for high-voltage switchgear for equipment operation for the first time. According to Zhao Chen, an employee of the company’s substation operation and maintenance center, this intelligent operating robot employs multiple technologies such as image processing and intelligent control. It can replace four employees to autonomously perform operation procedures such as high-voltage switchgear operations at one time, making it safer and more efficient than manual maintenance operations.

To deepen the application of artificial intelligence technology in autumn maintenance, Hebei’s electric power sector actively promotes technological means such as unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) inspections for distribution networks, live-line maintenance robots, and video surveillance. These measures not only enhance the efficiency of power grid maintenance and reduce operational safety risks but also ensure a stable and reliable power supply for users. As of mid-October, 693 power grid maintenance items had been carried out, with 6,197 live-line maintenance operations organized, resulting in a reduction of 1.224 million household-hours of power outages and an increase in power transmission of 16.9247 million kWh.

“With more and more users relying on electric heating in winter, the power load for winter peak periods is also increasing every year. We will continue to explore more new equipment, new scenarios, and new technology applications to ensure that all maintenance tasks are completed before winter arrives, providing support for the power grid to cope with winter peak loads,” said Yin Zihui, the specialist in charge of the substation division of the Equipment Department of State Grid Hebei Electric Power.  Source: State Grid Hebei Electric Power Comp