Factory-based distribution powers Yangtze Delta integration

Recently, at the construction site of the Tong-Su-Jia-Yong high-speed railway relocation project in Jiaxing, Zhejiang province, employees of the State Grid Jiaxing Power Supply Company utilized factory-prefabricated distribution network cables and components to complete the assembly of the new distribution network connection in just 25 minutes, cutting the on-site construction time by nearly 70 percent compared with that of past projects.

The Tong-Su-Jia-Yong high-speed railway is a north-south artery in the core region of the Yangtze River Delta, expected to be completed and operational by the end of 2027. Once completed, the high-speed railway will not only fill the gap in the transportation network of the Yangtze River Delta but also become a "new engine" driving the region's integrated development.

To support the construction of the high-speed railway, the State Grid Jiaxing Power Supply Company plans to complete the dismantling and rerouting of existing power lines along the railway by May. Taking into account local power supply demands and time costs, the company utilizes self-developed factory-based cable distribution technology. This approach involves prefabricating switch connection cables and completing assemblies in the workshop in advance, and then transporting them to the site for installation, thereby significantly reducing construction time.

In traditional operations, the diverse types and irregular sizes of connection cables and components often lead to errors, losses and damage during transportation. Furthermore, the varying skill levels of construction personnel and the lack of control over manual processes make it challenging to standardize and unify distribution network construction.

The innovative factory-based cable distribution technology has introduced an automated platform for prefabricated cable processing, covering all 16 mainstream market-based types of distribution network cables.

Additionally, the new configuration model for modular sets of overhead line pole components ensures standardized and complete assembly at each pole, reducing material preparation errors and omissions. Moreover, the proposed on-site assembly method for complete sets of overhead line components enhances both the quality and efficiency of construction.

With the implementation of factory-based cable distribution technology, on-site operations have been streamlined from 12 steps to 3 steps. The average construction time for double-pole transformer areas has been reduced from 4.5 hours to 2 hours, and the workload for high-altitude operations has decreased by nearly 75 percent. Additionally, the failure rate due to non-standard processes has dropped from 86 percent to 13 percent.

Currently, this patented technology has generated sales of 316 million yuan ($43.3 million) and is widely used in distribution network construction projects across 26 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions nationwide. It effectively boosts local construction efficiency, reduces labor costs, and minimizes material waste.