State Grid Jinchang Power Supply Company: Intelligent Inspection Guards Grid Safety

JINCHANG, China, May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — At 9:30 a.m. on May 26, the intelligent inspection robot of the 330kV Dongdatang Substation of State Grid Jinchang Power Supply Company set out on time. Along the guide rail, it “walked” to each primary equipment, extended its “neck”, and rotated its “eyes” to scan the operation status of the equipment and collect real-time data.

Driven by the energy digital transformation, substations are accelerating their march toward “unmanned and intelligent” operation. The intelligent inspection robot in substations can replace manual labor to complete all inspection tasks for high-voltage substation equipment. Combined with a distributed inspection system, it realizes intelligent identification and linkage with station equipment, and achieves 7×24-hour high-frequency unmanned inspection through diversified inspection modes and an automatic charging system. Leveraging the robot’s characteristics of high precision, flexible response, and all-weather operation, and integrating intelligent detection devices and smart analysis software, it has established a closed-loop management and control system covering all-weather data collection, real-time information transmission, intelligent analysis and early warning, and rapid decision-making feedback, thereby enhancing intelligent operation and maintenance management capabilities.

From “human eye observation” to “machine perspective,” and from “experience-based judgment” to “data-driven decision-making,” intelligent inspection robots are redefining the smart standards for substation operation and maintenance. From flashlights to lidar, and from paper records to digital twins, this technology-driven revolution is reshaping the DNA of the power industry. Intelligent inspection robots are breaking down the physical boundaries of traditional operation and maintenance. This technological revolution, which began with equipment inspection, will eventually drive substations to evolve from “power hubs” into “smart energy centers.”