Green energy revolution on the Loess Plateau

Feng Xiangqian, 53, is a line inspector at the Yulin branch of State Grid Shaanxi Electric Power. Thirty-three years ago, with a sincere passion for the power industry, he rooted himself in the Loess Plateau.

In the morning, Feng carried a tool-filled inspection bag and set off on the line inspection journey. "To ensure the safe and stable transmission of green electricity, we combine manual inspections with intelligent drone inspections, conducting 24/7 hazard detection, infrared temperature measurements and fault elimination," Feng said.

According to him, drones can quickly cover large areas and detect line hazards in high and distant places, while manual inspections can accurately identify subtle issues with ground equipment. The "clues" that drones might miss must be seen with the eyes, touched with the hands and measured with instruments, leaving no safety blind spots unchecked, Feng said.

In the past 33 years, he has shuttled day after day through the complex terrains and ravines of the Loess Plateau. From basic channels to wires, from accessory connections to equipment operations, he has overlooked no detail, building the first line of defense for green electricity transmission.

"As a native of Yulin, I've witnessed my hometown transform from barren loess slopes into an oasis, and I feel particularly moved," Feng said. "Yulin's achievements in sand control and greening are remarkable. It used to be that you couldn't open your eyes when the wind blew, but now with more vegetation, there's less sand and dust. The green electricity not only lights up thousands of households but also greens our loess land."

Feng embodies the dedication of Shaanxi’s power grid workers. They have long worked on the Loess Plateau, weaving a strong, safe and reliable power grid covering urban and rural areas. This not only injects endless electrical energy into regional development but also serves as a solid "bridge" for the large-scale development of green energy.

In recent years, Yulin has promoted the improvement of its energy structure, and a profound green electricity revolution is flourishing on the loess land.

"In the process of developing green electricity, we have always prioritized ecology. We first utilized barren slopes and wastelands, avoiding ecologically sensitive areas; during construction, we minimized surface disturbances and conserved water and soil; in operation, we implemented a 'photovoltaic + ecology' model, planting native vegetation under the panels to balance power generation with ecological restoration and achieve coordinated progress in green development and ecological protection," said Xu Shengming, chief of a photovoltaic power station.

Today, the land of Yulin is dotted with photovoltaic power stations and wind turbines standing on mountains. What was once loess gullies has transformed into areas for green energy development, with the seeds of clean energy flourishing across the plateau, bringing forth the vitality and dynamism of sustainable development.

Ren Yuhong, deputy director of the Yulin branch’s dispatching and control center, said: "Currently, Yulin's installed new energy capacity continues to lead in Shaanxi. It has formed large-scale wind and solar bases, with green electricity becoming the mainstay of regional energy."

The development of green electricity has not only improved Yulin's energy structure but also replaced traditional high-carbon energy with clean energy, thereby promoting simultaneous upgrades in ecological restoration and urban energy transformation, Ren added.

Ren said that the next steps will focus on strengthening the main grid framework, enhancing the capacity for new energy transmission and consumption, deepening coordination of power sources, grids, loads and storage and promoting the integration of green electricity development with ecological protection.

The large-scale photovoltaic bases and the towering wind power equipment on the hills mark a green electricity revolution on the Loess Plateau in Shaanxi. This revolution is a testament to Yulin's transformation and a renewal path for the loess land. As the wind blows over the green slopes and electricity is transmitted afar, the foundation of green development is increasingly solidified with each unit of clean energy produced, paving a synergy path for ecology and development.