Breaking the “Last Mile” Challenge: The Fifth Smart Distribution Network Construction Seminar

On May 15, 2025, the “Fifth Smart Distribution Network Construction Seminar” was held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, co-hosted by the Zhejiang Provincial Rail Transit and Energy Industry Association and Polaris Power Network. This event aimed to support the development of a new type of power system and distribution network.

Fourteen experts, scholars, and representatives from various enterprises exchanged insights on creating modern smart distribution networks and discussed a blueprint for the future of smart distribution.

In his opening remarks, Zhou Quan, President of Polaris, highlighted that driven by the “dual carbon” goals, China’s distribution networks are undergoing significant changes, including structural reconstruction, technological innovation, and business model upgrades. However, these advancements also face challenges such as the “duck curve” caused by the randomness of renewable energy, a computational power gap due to massive terminal access, and insufficient automation coverage in distribution networks. These issues necessitate the development of a smart distribution network that is safe, reliable, economically efficient, and environmentally friendly.

The seminar featured discussions on various aspects of smart distribution network construction, including top-level design, management models, and technological innovations, with the hope of discovering opportunities for collaboration and mutual benefits.

Wu Bingcheng, Vice President and Secretary-General of the Zhejiang Provincial Rail Transit and Energy Industry Association, emphasized the vital integration of the transportation and energy sectors. The association was officially established on March 13 this year, merging the former Zhejiang Provincial Rail Transit Construction and Management Association with the Zhejiang Energy Industry Association, fulfilling the requirements of the Zhejiang provincial government to promote deep integration between transportation and energy.

According to Sun Zhengyun, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the China Energy Research Society, “Smart distribution networks are a crucial component of the new power system.” These networks leverage digital and intelligent technologies to drive the transformation and upgrading of energy structures, providing essential support for achieving energy transition and promoting sustainable development in the power sector. They enhance the reliability and quality of power supply, improve grid capacity, and facilitate the integration of distributed renewable energy sources.

Technological advancements, such as holographic perception, ubiquitous IoT, data sharing, artificial intelligence, and smart control, enable the digitalization and intelligence of distribution networks, thereby improving their operational efficiency.

Su Yifang, Director of the Construction Division at the State Grid Zhejiang Electric Power Company, discussed the need for a grid-based management system for distribution networks. He noted the increasing precision and requirements for managing distribution networks necessitate a smaller framework to empower this management. Currently, Zhejiang is adopting a “grid + digital” dual approach to build a modern distribution management system and enhance the development of autonomous evolution algorithms.

Wu Zhilin, Chief Expert at the State Grid Economic and Technological Research Institute, underscored the urgency of upgrading traditional distribution networks to “modern smart distribution networks” to meet the evolving demands of the new energy system. He advocated for a multi-faceted approach to ensure the reliability of power supply and service levels while addressing disparities between different regions and urban-rural divides.

Xie Cheng, Deputy Director of the Distribution Network Research Institute at the State Grid Zhejiang Electric Power Company, shared insights on transparency in low-voltage distribution networks. The research institute aims to achieve network, operational, and management transparency to manage risks effectively and enhance operational capabilities.

Xie David, Co-founder of Gongtai Electric Co., emphasized their innovative approach to residential distribution, highlighting the introduction of synchronized dynamic orderly charging stations that enhance safety and affordability in community charging systems.

Dr. Ding Lifu from Tsinghua University’s Energy Internet Innovation Research Institute presented findings on intelligent simulation platforms for new power systems, integrating cloud-based simulation ecosystems with large language model technologies for enhanced operational support.

Professor Wang Shouxiang from Tianjin University discussed the necessity of building resilient distribution networks capable of handling complex active and mixed AC/DC systems. He outlined key technologies to enhance network resilience, including intelligent situation awareness and power quality disturbance identification.

As the conference concluded, it attracted over 200 industry professionals and received strong support from various entities, including the State Grid Zhejiang Electric Power Company, XJ Electric Co., Ltd., and others. The discussions emphasized the importance of aligning technological advancements with innovative business models to optimize energy systems collectively.