Green, smart systems power Wuhan indoor ski resort

In the height of summer, tourists race down ski slopes amid swirling snow mist at a giant indoor ski resort in Wuhan, Hubei province, savoring a refreshing out-of-season escape from the heat.

Though outdoor temperatures reached nearly 40 C, Wuhan Chengjian Bonski maintains a constant temperature of minus 6 C. Behind this is a nonstop, steady power supply operated in a green and intelligent manner.

As the largest indoor ski resort in Central China, the facility boasts a total volume of nearly 1 million cubic meters with artificial snow production of 34,000 cu m. It has a snow layer 40 centimeters thick all year round. Its refrigeration and snowmaking systems run around the clock, while cable lifts, lighting, dehumidifiers and other equipment operate under heavy load simultaneously. During peak periods, the resort consumes roughly 70,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per day, equivalent to the daily power consumption of about 7,000 households.

The resort runs 365 days a year with a 24/7 power supply.

Instead of trading excessive energy consumption for coolness, the resort uses photovoltaic power generation, energy-saving renovations and smart energy management, expecting to achieve low-carbon and efficient operation, according to the State Grid Wuhan Electric Power Supply Co.

Covering an area of 45,800 square meters, the solar photovoltaic panels are installed on the venue's roof, which can generate a peak power output of 25,000 kWh in a single day. "The clean electricity is supplied directly to the refrigeration units, turning sunlight into green energy," said Han Rui, deputy director of Huancheng power-supply service station of the company.

"The peak of photovoltaic power generation coincides with the venue's peak cooling-related electricity consumption. Hours of abundant midday sunshine precisely align with the period of highest refrigeration energy use, boosting energy utilization efficiency," he added.

Meanwhile, the resort has upgraded its intelligent control system to automatically adjust snowmaking intensity and maintain consistent snow quality at low energy costs.

A 24-cm-thick thermal insulation layer has been fitted to the walls to reduce heat and cold loss, and LED lighting has replaced traditional lighting throughout the venue, cutting lighting-related energy consumption by more than 10 percent, according to Han.

According to Zhao Jiajun, who is in charge of the resort's operation, photovoltaic power generated on-site alone saves more than 250,000 yuan ($37,200) in electricity costs each month. Nearly 30 percent of the venue's power demand is met by self-produced clean energy. The funds saved are reinvested into ski slope maintenance and visitor services, to "achieve both economic and environmental benefits", said Zhao.

It is a daily routine for workers like himself to check the normal operation of electricity, as every 1 C rise in outdoor temperature drives a significant increase in refrigeration energy consumption and power load pressure, Han said.

The company leverages intelligent terminals to monitor power consumption data in real time, analyze load fluctuations and carry out targeted maintenance. A 24-hour on-site duty team has been set up to conduct regular inspections of power lines and distribution equipment, so as to remove hidden risks in a timely manner and ensure an uninterrupted power supply.

Skiing in summer has become a fashion among locals and tourists, and the consumers include parents bringing their children to experience a previously distant sport in the city, college students for dating and social gatherings, and tourists from outside the province.

A couple, Zhou Wenjian and Hu Yanyu, drove about five hours from Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu province, to the resort. Zhou said he has traveled that far for the experience since last year due to its steep slopes, steady temperature and good environment.

Li Sihang, another tourist, said he felt excited being able to ski in summer.

"This is the largest indoor ski resort I have ever visited. I was really impressed the moment I stepped in. The venue is bright and spacious with good visibility, and the snow quality is also excellent," he said.