Intelligent grid powers Rizhao's marine industry

Ten nautical miles off the coast of Lanshan district in Rizhao, Shandong province, lies "Ocean Granary No 1". With just a light touch on the control panel, the crew activates a powerful fish pump that gently draws salmon from the net pens.

The salmon are then transferred to the cold-water mass in the Yellow Sea, where naturally low temperatures allow them to complete a crucial growth phase in summer.

During harvest season, the fish are precision-processed on a modern production line and quickly distributed to markets across the country through an integrated cold-chain network.

Rizhao is also building brands such as "Yesalmon" and developing an omni-channel sales platform, helping its salmon reach an ever-expanding consumer base. Thanks to this complete production chain, what was once a luxury has now become an affordable treat.

To preserve freshness, Rizhao has established a state-of-the-art center that combines high-standard cold storage with deep-processing facilities. Integrated with port, road, and air cold-chain logistics, the system ensures that salmon can travel from ocean to table in as little as 12 hours.

Salmon farming requires nearly flawless environmental control. From offshore net-pen aquaculture to onshore processing, strictly regulated low-temperature environments and the entire cold-chain system impose demanding standards for power stability, reliability, and continuity. Electricity is the lifeline of this high-value industry.

Accurate load forecasting and real-time monitoring are essential. Accordingly, State Grid Rizhao Electric Power Supply has shifted from simply responding to demand to proactively anticipating demand, creating a customized intelligent power guarantee system for the salmon industry.

"By integrating historical electricity data from the salmon plant, detailed production schedules, and weather variables, we predict 24-hour consumption trends for each stage of the chain and collaborate with enterprises to develop optimal energy-saving plans," said Li Yan, a service specialist at the Lanshan Power Supply Center.

Supported by 5G-enabled drone patrols and infrared thermography, staff conduct high-resolution scans of power lines and equipment, identifying and addressing potential defects.

Building on precise forecasting and real-time monitoring, State Grid Rizhao has also helped configure a microgrid that integrates dual power feeds, rooftop PV, and emergency generators. This system provides 72 hours of uninterrupted backup power to core refrigeration and processing units, ensuring zero disruption to the production chain.

Rizhao's excellent water quality and abundant marine resources offer ideal conditions for aquaculture. The city is actively transitioning from traditional fisheries to high-end, intelligent farming, demonstrating its commitment to modern, smart, and environmentally friendly practices.

As more "blue granaries" like the salmon marine granary take root in Rizhao, State Grid Rizhao Electric Power Supply will continue to inject steady momentum into the city's growing marine industries through a resilient grid and forward-looking, intelligent services.