Green power drives Longquan celadon industry forward

Traditional firing technology of Longquan celadon, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, is a pillar industry in Longquan, Zhejiang province.

For years, production relied on firewood and liquefied gas, leading to poor temperature control, low yield rates, safety risks, and high carbon emissions. Efforts to transition to electric kilns were hindered by a lack of skilled workers, technical challenges, high costs, weak coordination, and insufficient policy support.

Since 2020, State Grid Zhejiang Electric Power has focused on preserving this heritage and making celadon production more eco-friendly. The company conducted in-depth research, addressed diverse government and business needs, and built a systematic promotion framework.

It launched an initiative to replace traditional energy with electricity in the celadon industry, reducing energy use and pollution while improving craftsmanship.

As a state-owned enterprise, State Grid Zhejiang created a full-chain, one-stop service system. It designed energy consumption calculation tools and potential-mining models, opened nine online service channels, and set up a fast-track project construction process with dedicated electricity services.

Using the Internet of Things and big data, the company developed a visual data system that compares energy use, costs, and emissions between electric and traditional kilns in real time. Real-world case studies helped ease businesses' concerns about the transition and encouraged wider adoption of greener technologies.

To date, over 1,000 celadon enterprises and workshops in Longquan have switched to electric kilns, saving about 40 million yuan ($5.89 million) annually and shifting the industry from traditional firing to green smart manufacturing. This model has also been successfully replicated in sword-making and tea production.

Looking ahead, State Grid Zhejiang will continue to strengthen its environmental, social, and governance practices, upgrade intelligent electric kiln technologies, optimize collaborative services, and continue to replace traditional energy sources with electricity. It remains committed to using green electricity to preserve cultural heritage, strengthen industry, and boost regional low-carbon development.