A group of experts from State Grid Digital Technology Holding Co., Ltd.
and Leapfive Technology Co., Ltd. visited Hisense and Haier for research and communication
In April 2023, a group of experts from State Grid Digital Technology Holding Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “State Grid Digital Technology”), a subsidiary of the State Grid Corporation, together with experts from Guangdong LeapFive Technology Co, Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “LeapFive”), accompanied by the staff of Qingdao Electric Power Bureau, visited to Hisense and Haier, the leading domestic air conditioning companies, to conduct research and communication.
The primary objective of the visit was to showcase the latest advancements by State Grid in various aspects such as source, network, load and storage, generation, transmission, distribution, and utilization, as well as the comprehensive power grid production and operation. State Grid Digital Technology highlighted their initiatives utilizing digital technology to serve energy security and ensure a stable supply. Additionally, discussions were held with both enterprises regarding the potential collaboration space in the load demand response business and the subsequent implementation plan.
During the morning session, while visiting Qingdao Hisense Hitachi Air Conditioning Co., Ltd., Mr. He Chengjun, the product director at Hisense, presented the State Grid Digital Section delegation with the latest advancements in energy-saving and consumption reduction achieved by Hisense’s three brands of commercial air conditioners. The delegation also gained a comprehensive understanding of the policy direction pertaining to demand response. Hisense expressed its active cooperation with the power grid in implementing demand response closed-loop applications. Furthermore, they explored the feasibility of incorporating load control sensors into existing air conditioning models through collaboration with LeapFive.
Hisense Conference Discussion Load Cloud
It is reported that Hisense central air conditioning business currently has 6,000 employees and the annual outdoor unit shipment reaches 1 million units.
In the afternoon session, the group from State Grid Digital Technology and LeapFive arrived at Haier Information Park, where they were greeted by Hou Chen, Deputy General Manager of Haier Smart Building Energy. Hou Chen provided an overview of Haier’s strategic focus in the new energy sector and the latest developments in Haier Smart Building Energy business. Notably, Haier Smart Building Energy boasts a substantial customer base, encompassing 40,000 industrial parks.
During the visit, Chief Engineer Mr. Shi from State Grid Digital Technology commended Haier’s advancements in new energy and comprehensive building energy solutions. He emphasized the strong alignment between Haier’s offerings in commercial air conditioning and comprehensive building energy solutions with the demand response business, suggesting extensive prospects for collaboration. Mr. Shi also elaborated on the design principles of demand response policies to the Haier team. He further supported his points by citing a pilot case that demonstrated the positive impact of demand response in stabilizing electricity demand fluctuations. To provide concrete evidence, he showcased actual data illustrating the grid’s reimbursement subsidies to industrial and commercial enterprises participating in demand response initiatives.
State Grid Digital Technology expressed their expectations for Haier to swiftly develop implementation plans in the relevant areas, beginning with pilot projects. They urged Haier to join forces in exploring future business models for collaboration.
Haier Ecological Park
During the visit, the experts from LeapFive showcased the company’s accomplishments in load regulation and sensing. Leveraging their extensive experience in IoT and intelligent sensing, based on the RISC-V processor technology architecture, LeapFive has successfully achieved high-precision real-time power measurement and feedback at the end side. The relevant modules have undergone rigorous testing and received third-party approvals, resulting in their integration with products from several enterprises.
Looking ahead, LeapFive has plans to incorporate blockchain technology to ensure credible and traceable end-side data. This strategic move aims to foster collaboration with the State Grid in diverse areas such as source, grid, load, and energy storage.
Qingdao Power Supply Building
On the following day, Sun Dinghao, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Vice General Manager of Qingdao Power Supply Company, held a meeting with the group from State Grid Digital Technology and LeapFive. They engaged in a comprehensive discussion with Mr. Shi regarding the feasibility of implementing demand response business in Qingdao. Deputy Secretary Sun urged Qingdao Power Supply Bureau to develop a specific plan and fully cooperate with the pilot work of demand response. Following the meeting, the relevant staff from Qingdao Power Supply Bureau provided a detailed overview of their work and the latest achievements in load management to the delegation.
After the two-day investigation of network enterprises, the group of experts gained profound insights into the application scenarios, technical approaches, and business strategies of major air conditioning companies like Haier and Hisense in demand response and energy-saving initiatives. They also obtained a clear understanding of the operational requirements of local power companies in load control. Moving forward, the team will collaborate with network enterprises and leverage existing practical scenarios to formulate reasonable implementation plans that cater to the needs of the power grid and enterprises. These plans will be executed swiftly and efficiently, facilitating the achievement of power supply-demand balance, and ensuring the stable operation of the power grid.