Smart technology in record cold in China

China uses driverless trucks, drones and smart robots to maintain essential operations in harsh winter conditions.

Snow blower clears snow from road. Photo: CFP — Snow blower clears snow from road. Photo: *CFP*

China's National Meteorological Administration announced that five stations in Shanxi, Hebei, and Inner Mongolia provinces and regions recorded unprecedented low temperatures early on the morning of December 20. For example, the temperature in Datong, a famous ancient city with a population of more than 3 million in Shanxi Province, was -33.2 degrees Celsius. The agency noted that yesterday's temperature was even lower than the all-time low temperature record set in those areas on December 17.

The cold snap sweeping across China and causing record low temperatures is believed to be caused by the Arctic vortex. The polar vortex, a band of cold air that moves around the Arctic and keeps cold air from flowing south, appears to have weakened.

In the cold weather, technology plays a vital role in maintaining both production and daily life. Advanced technologies are becoming more popular in China, helping to clear snow, melt ice, maintain power supplies and address the challenges of heavy rain and snow in winter, CGTN reported on December 21.

Mechanize

In Jilin Province, northeastern China, snow removal is mechanized using de-icing vehicles, snow blowers and biological de-icers.

At the Pingshuo East open-pit mine, one of China's largest in coal-rich Shanxi province, large screens at the mine's control center display live updates of blasting, mining and transportation operations taking place in sequence, despite extreme cold and heavy snowfall.

The mine is running uninterrupted with the help of a fleet of driverless trucks, which will be put into operation in 2022, according to Dong Shubin, deputy director of the mine. "We have coordinated the operation of five driverless trucks. Previously, we needed about 20 employees to operate these trucks every day. Now, we only need a few employees to ensure safety, monitoring the screen from the control room as a precaution," he said. Dong added that the mine aims to operate driverless trucks with about 100 trucks, each capable of carrying more than 300 tons.

At many smart mines in China, remote control of equipment such as electric shovels and drilling rigs is also being enhanced, helping to improve production efficiency and reduce the impact of extreme weather.

A drone operated by workers in Bozhou city, Anhui province, eastern China. Photo: CFP — A drone operated by workers in Bozhou city, Anhui province, eastern China. Photo: *CFP*

Smart Robot

In Changchun City, Jilin Province, northeastern China, where winter temperatures drop to near minus 20 degrees Celsius, intelligent inspection robots allow workers to sit in a room and monitor substation equipment.

“The robots can quickly assess the condition of the equipment, which greatly improves our work efficiency. The robots are equipped with 40 high-resolution cameras mounted on their rotating heads,” said Wang Xinbing, an employee of the local branch of the China Power Grid Corporation. Wang can review data and images transmitted by the robots from a 220-kV substation 30 kilometers away.

High-tech drones

Drones are useful for conducting quick inspections in the rugged terrain of the Dabie Mountains, which straddle the border between Hubei, Henan , and Anhui provinces. During the recent cold spell, Yuexi County, Anqing City, Anhui Province, in eastern China, experienced heavy snowfall. The risk of ice buildup on power lines increased, threatening the entire county’s power supply.

"Fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles can operate at high altitudes, have fast speeds and can travel long distances. With predetermined flight routes, they can complete inspections within an hour," said Chu Zhugang, an employee of the Anqing branch of the China Power Grid Corporation.

Thu Thao (According to CGTN )

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