Xukuang Group Rolls Out 43 AI Energy Scenarios, Digital Twin Plant Delivers Cross-Region Clean Power
According to People’s Daily Online Jiangsu Channel, a full digital twin replica of the Wulagai power plant appears on large display screens within the central control room of Suneng (Xishan) Power when staff click computer controls. Real-time operational metrics scroll across the interface, while intelligent control infrastructure channels low-carbon electricity generated thousands of kilometres away in Inner Mongolia through transmission networks to supply Jiangsu province. The facility stands as a tangible illustration of Xukuang Group’s accelerated integration of artificial intelligence across every stage of energy production operations.
In March this year, Xukuang Group issued a framework document laying out targets to deliver breakthroughs in scientific and technological innovation. It has classified expanded rollout of “AI Plus” operational scenarios as a core annual priority, incorporated relevant progress into comprehensive assessments for high-quality development, and drawn up a dedicated group-wide artificial intelligence development blueprint. Forty-three distinct intelligent application scenarios have been defined for phased implementation, supporting the shift away from manual round-the-clock supervision toward automated smart management, and replacing experience-led operational decisions with data-driven judgement systems.
Suneng (Xishan) Power, a subsidiary operating under Xukuang Group, has installed upwards of 30,000 data monitoring nodes covering core generation hardware including boilers and steam turbines alongside all auxiliary supporting equipment. These sensors feed real-time operational data into a digital twin platform engineered to mirror every physical layout and functional module of the on-site power plant. Unified data aggregation eliminates silos between separate administrative branches, enabling seamless information exchange across corporate governance, production scheduling, human resources, finance and material supply workflows.
Built upon this full-spectrum data connectivity, the power station’s integrated intelligent platform functions as a self-perceiving, analytical and decision-making central hub. All operational datasets generated during unit running cycles are logged and processed by embedded algorithms, with continuous model refinements boosting the precision of automated judgements and operational recommendations for matching operational conditions in subsequent running cycles.
AI-powered visual recognition to block unauthorised personnel access at underground tunnelling fronts, intelligent electricity price forecasting tools and predictive equipment maintenance frameworks form just a fraction of the 43 tailored intelligent scenarios being rolled out across Xukuang Group’s industrial footprint. The suite of digital solutions spans underground mining sites and power generation plants alike, covering safety risk mitigation and cross-site operational co-ordination functions.
Further expansion of data processing and computing capacity will form the core of the group’s upcoming digital transformation workstreams. Additional real-world use cases for artificial intelligence within the energy sector will be developed and deployed, establishing mutual operational benefits between energy asset operations and advanced intelligent digital technologies. New sensor networks, algorithm training modules and cross-regional data synchronisation frameworks will be trialled to widen the scope of AI deployment across coal extraction, power generation and energy transmission divisions in the years ahead.
