Zhejiang Lin’an: Power Grid Optimization Boosts “Summer Retreat Economy” with Reliable Cooling Supply

At five in the morning in Taihuyuan Town, the mist still lingered over the mountains as the murmuring streams roused the slumbering valley. On July 10, 66 construction personnel from State Grid Hangzhou Power Supply Company had already assembled, preparing to launch a critical campaign to ensure stable a power supply for the summer tourism season in this renowned “forest air-conditioned retreat”—the 10 kV Linmu Line Grid Optimization Project.

Taihuyuan Town in Hangzhou’s Lin’an district has seen a rapid growth in its “summer retreat economy”, thanks to its two popular cooling destinations—Baisha Village and Zhinan Village. Every summer, tourists from the Yangtze River Delta flock here, making it nearly impossible to book a room in local homestays or agritainment resorts. However, the seasonal surge in electricity demand has also placed significant pressure on the local power grid.

“The 10 kV Lifan Line is the primary power supply line for the Baisha and Zhinan areas, carrying a substantial load. This time, we aim to transfer a 4,000 kVA load from the Lifan Line to the 10 kV Linmu Line to alleviate the pressure”, said Hu Kai, head of the high-voltage team at Tianmu Power Supply Office of State Grid Hangzhou Power Supply Company.

Though the project may seem straightforward, even minor adjustments could have far-reaching consequences. To ensure uninterrupted power for tourists during construction, the company deployed five generator vehicles stationed at key locations such as Zhinan Village and Shenlongchuan Scenic Area, guaranteeing a normal electricity supply for local homestays and agritainment resorts.

At the crack of dawn, construction supervisor Su Guangming and his team began preparations. “Today, we need to complete the load transfer for 11 public transformers on the Hengdu Branch Line and upgrade 1.2 kilometers of wiring”, Su said while inspecting tools. “The most critical task is implementing safety measures to ensure everything goes smoothly”. Although temperatures in Taihuyuan are 5-6°C lower than in urban areas, the mountainous terrain posed additional challenges. Dense vegetation harbored swarms of mosquitoes, and snakes frequently appeared near streams, making insect repellent a “standard necessity” for the crew.

In the afternoon, a sudden downpour added further complications, significantly increasing the difficulty of pole work. Nevertheless, the team persevered to complete the task as quickly as possible.

By 8:40 p.m., when the final step was completed and the system confirmed the successful load transfer, the workers gradually departed. In the distance, the faint sound of tourists singing could still be heard from the homestays. The newly operational Linmu Line smoothly took on the 4,000 kVA load, significantly reducing the Lifan Line’s utilization rate.

In recent years, to ensure a reliable power supply during the peak summer tourism season, State Grid Hangzhou Power Supply Company has proactively upgraded power facilities: expanding overloaded transformers, optimizing the regional grid structure, and enhancing line capacity. Additionally, the company established a rapid response mechanism, deploying emergency generator vehicles in key scenic areas and homestay clusters to restore power swiftly in case of emergencies. These visible and invisible measures are what enable tourists to relish the summer coolness and homestay owners to operate with confidence, working together to paint the vibrant picture of Taihuyuan Town’s “cooling economy”. (Text/Fu Yunxiao, Photo/Wu Chen）