Jiangsu province's first smart grid system is helping the region save huge amounts of electricity and has helped ensure a reliable power supply for local companies even when the grid is struggling to cope with demand.

The system was put into trial operation in early 2017 and already controls the power supply of around 3.7 million KW to 1,370 companies in Jiangsu, according to Luo Jianyu, deputy director of State Grid's Jiangsu Electric Power Control Center.

Developed by the NARI Group, one of China's largest suppliers of power industry equipment, the smart system uses internet of things technology to coordinate the province's power supply, grid and demand.

The system is capable of controlling even individual pieces of equipment in each company, meaning that it is able automatically to switch off non-essential equipment to manage demand during times when the grid is under threat of being overwhelmed.

If there is a supply shortage, NARI's system can turn off lights or set air conditioning systems a few degrees higher to save power, which ensures that there is enough supply to keep more important production equipment running, according to Li Zhihui, a manager at NARI Group.

By 2020, Jiangsu is expected to have a smart grid system covering 10 million KW of potential demand.

The added efficiency this system will bring is predicted to save Jiangsu from needing to construct an extra 10 million KW worth of generator sets, and will save 97,000 tons of sulfur dioxide and 35 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions, according to government estimates.

A worker at a power plant records the working conditions of electrical equipment. [Photo/ xinhuanet.com]