Heilongjiang Junhe Building Materials Technology Co., Ltd , https://www.junhejiancai.com
In the power information industry, big data has emerged as one of the most frequently discussed topics in recent years. In 2013, it was even recognized as one of the hottest fields in the electricity sector by media outlets. With the continuous growth of power-related data and the rapid expansion of the industry, the era of power big data is now upon us. Sub-sectors such as power grids, generation, transmission, distribution, and supply have all begun to explore the potential of big data, marking the early stages of its development. The challenge for power companies lies in efficiently extracting meaningful insights from massive datasets through advanced processing techniques.
Over the past few years, investment in grid infrastructure, including lines and substations, has been steadily increasing, especially in regional and provincial backbone grids, as well as in distribution and rural power networks. This trend has significantly driven informatization, creating a large and growing market for power information solutions.
During the 12th Five-Year Plan period, China's investment in power informatization has grown steadily. According to reports, the 2013 investment reached 28.801 billion yuan, representing a year-on-year increase of 15.3%. It is expected that this year’s investment will reach 33.611 billion yuan. As power construction becomes more dependent on digital systems, the volume of data being managed within the power system continues to grow, presenting both opportunities and challenges.
Currently, the power industry faces not only the challenge of collecting and storing data but also the need to extract valuable insights from it. Big data can be used to analyze business operations, convert raw data into actionable intelligence, and enable better control over business processes.
Compared to other industries, the power sector possesses a wealth of big data resources, yet the complexity of handling such vast volumes presents unique challenges. According to Liu Jianming, General Manager of State Grid Information & Communications Co., Ltd., power big data can be categorized into three main types: production data (such as power generation and voltage stability), operational data (including transaction prices, sales, and customer information), and management data (like ERP systems, integrated platforms, and office collaboration tools). Additionally, new smart grid services are expected to further expand the data landscape, posing significant challenges to the security and maintenance capabilities of power enterprises.
By leveraging real-time data from the power grid and conducting in-depth analysis, power companies can offer high-value-added services, such as enhanced grid security monitoring, early warning systems for disasters, improved power dispatching decision support, more accurate demand forecasting, and better customer behavior analysis. These innovations contribute to more efficient and scientific demand-side management.
For example, Danish wind energy giant VESTAS combines global weather data with its own turbine data, using factors like temperature, pressure, humidity, wind speed, and historical performance to optimize turbine placement and maximize energy output while reducing costs.
In the data center of China State Grid ICT in Yizhuang, Beijing, over 10,200 sensors continuously collect and store data in the cloud, enabling real-time analysis and utilization. Experts suggest that if the utilization rate of power big data increases by 10%, grid profits could rise by 20% to 49%, highlighting the immense potential of data-driven decision-making in the power sector.