Electricity powers 'smart greenhouses': 'off-season' festive atmosphere in Tai'an, Shandong

As Spring Festival approaches, a unique winter scene is unfolding in the fields of Tai'an, Shandong province. In the cherry greenhouses of Tianbao town, cherry blossoms are blooming, heralding the harvest of the "first crop" before Spring Festival. In the strawberry greenhouses of Xizhangzhuang, Xintai county-level city, the red and juicy fruits are hidden among the green leaves, attracting tourists from surrounding cities eager to pick them. Making all this possible is a perfect combination of stable electricity and modern agricultural technology, which not only enriches the vegetable supply during Spring Festival but also fills farmers' pockets.

"In the past, when growing cherries, I was most afraid of unstable temperatures, which made it difficult to sleep at night. Now, with a smart temperature control system and reliable electricity, I can check the temperature and humidity in the greenhouse on my phone and remotely control the heating equipment, which makes me feel much more at ease," said a cherry grower in Tianbao town surnamed Li, with a smile. Li's greenhouse has adopted fully electric temperature control management for the first time this year, and the current batch of "first-harvest fruits", which will hit the market during Spring Festival, is expected to sell at a good price. Relying on this system, growers are able to manage the greenhouse environment digitally, rather than being at the mercy of the weather.

Staff from the State Grid Xintai Power Supply Company inspect electrical equipment inside a farmer's greenhouse. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In Xizhangzhuang town, strawberry picking has become a popular new winter activity among urban residents. Due to insufficient sunlight in winter, the growth of strawberries relies heavily on supplemental lighting and drip irrigation systems. "Previously, insufficient light and humidity would affect the quality of our strawberries, but now these devices are indispensable. The technicians from the power supply company often come to inspect the lines to ensure that the equipment is operating properly. The strawberries grow big and sweet, and tourists love them," said Ms Wang, who manages the strawberry garden. Behind all these changes lies the continuous upgrading and transformation of the rural power grid by State Grid Tai'an Power Supply Company.

"We not only aim to give farmers ample access to electricity, but also to enable them to use the electricity wisely," said Cheng Yuelei, specialist in charge of business expansion and installation management at State Grid Tai'an. The company has implemented a service model integrating a grid-based framework with professional support, with staff regularly visiting households to assist farmers in optimizing electrical equipment such as light compensation and drip irrigation systems, helping farmers save both energy and money. In addition, to ensure a stable supply of agricultural products during Spring Festival, the local area has strengthened the power supply for constant temperature cold chain logistics, ensuring that freshly harvested cherries and strawberries can be transported through constant temperature cold chain networks and quickly reach the dining tables of consumers nationwide.