State Grid Zhejiang empowers ancient village revitalization with digital cloud system

"Through the mobile mini-program, we can monitor homestay electricity consumption in real time and receive automatic alerts for potential electrical hazards. Energy use data is fully visible, making operations in these old buildings far safer," said Yang Huijuan, owner of the Asukaji Homestay in Chenjiapu Village, Lishui, Zhejiang Province. She spoke of the tangible benefits brought by digital transformation to local ancient dwellings on October 22.

Across more than 100 traditional villages in Lishui, digital power technologies have opened a new path for the protection, activation and sustainable development of century-old residences.

Lishui is home to 268 nationally recognized traditional villages. These historic buildings serve as invaluable cultural heritage resources and form the core foundation of local rural cultural tourism. Many old residences have been renovated into homestays and rural inns. However, their aging electrical facilities have long posed hidden safety risks, while unclear energy consumption statistics and difficulty in quantifying carbon efficiency have hindered the revitalization and industrial utilization of ancient houses.

To advance dual-carbon goals and realize the integrated development of heritage protection and rural vitalization, State Grid Zhejiang launched a pilot initiative in Lishui. Working with local authorities, the company has built a comprehensive cloud system featuring cloud-based management, protection, industrial value exploration and cultural tourism promotion for ancient dwellings, laying a solid digital foundation for the scientific preservation of old villages.

Centered on a digital cockpit, the system digitizes key operational indicators of ancient buildings, including energy consumption, carbon emissions and electricity safety. It establishes a full-cycle working model covering supervision, maintenance, utilization and cultural experience, shifting the protection of ancient dwellings from experience-based judgment to data-driven governance.

The system achieves refined monitoring of electricity consumption down to the low-voltage power network of individual old houses. It continuously collects energy and carbon emission data to support targeted low-carbon renovations. Meanwhile, it tracks real-time power carbon efficiency and delivers timely alerts on electrical risks, eliminating potential safety hazards at an early stage.

Leveraging big data accumulated on the platform, State Grid Zhejiang taps the value of green power resources and empowers rural industrial upgrading, fostering low-carbon homestays and eco-friendly business models.

For tourists, the mini-program enables real-time energy consumption inquiries and advocates low-carbon travel behaviors. Visitors can redeem low-carbon points for electricity coupons, scenic spot discounts and room upgrade benefits, unlocking the value transformation of carbon assets linked to ancient dwellings.

Multi-dimensional data generated by the cloud system also provides solid decision-making support for local governments in ancient building restoration, emergency management and carbon efficiency governance, facilitating the high-quality, low-carbon and sustainable development of traditional villages.

Liao Min contributed to the story.