Shenzhen Advances AI And Green Power Integration To Build Smarter Energy Networks

As artificial intelligence drives demand for computing power, Shenzhen is exploring new ways to balance rising electricity consumption with sustainable energy supplies. By integrating AI development with the power sector, the southern Chinese technology hub is strengthening green energy adoption while creating more intelligent and responsive electricity networks.

This two-way relationship between artificial intelligence and electricity infrastructure forms part of 51 future development scenarios identified by China’s National Energy Administration. Across the country, computing centres and power grids are increasingly working together to solve shared challenges. Shenzhen has emerged as a leading example of this approach.

Green Electricity Powers Expanding AI Infrastructure

At one intelligent computing centre in Shenzhen, electricity accounts for more than half of operating costs. Consequently, operators have turned to renewable energy sources to support growing demand while reducing reliance on conventional power generation.

The facility has secured substantial volumes of green electricity from neighbouring regions with abundant solar and wind resources. According to Wang Ziyi, Operations Manager of Nanshan Intelligent Computing Center at Shenzhen Telecom, the centre has already purchased approximately 50 million kilowatt-hours of green electricity from Guangxi and Yunnan.

Moreover, the company plans to expand its renewable energy purchases further. It aims to ensure that all new projects are fully powered by imported green electricity by the end of the year.

The arrangement marks China’s first point-to-point cross-provincial green electricity transaction. Through advanced monitoring systems, operators can track renewable power generated hundreds of kilometres away as it travels through west-to-east transmission networks before reaching data centres across the Greater Bay Area.

AI Helps Modernise Power Grid Management

While renewable electricity supports AI infrastructure, artificial intelligence is also transforming how power grids operate. By incorporating AI tools into grid management systems, electricity providers can improve efficiency and respond more effectively to fluctuations in demand.

This capability has become increasingly important as power consumption rises during peak periods. In southern China, this year’s summer demand surge arrived around a month earlier than usual, placing additional pressure on electricity networks.

To address these challenges, China’s first virtual power plant has deployed AI-powered systems that coordinate charging stations, energy storage facilities and other distributed energy resources.

The technology forecasts peak demand periods and manages electricity consumption more intelligently. For example, it can direct electric vehicles to charge during off-peak hours and pre-cool air-conditioning systems before demand reaches its highest levels.

Virtual Power Plants Enhance Grid Stability

The use of AI within virtual power plants is helping operators reduce strain on the electricity network while maintaining reliable power supplies.

According to Chen Renli, General Manager of Shenzhen Virtual Power Plant Management Center, AI systems can instantly identify heavily loaded or overloaded transmission lines during peak demand periods. The technology then transmits relevant information to control centres, where automated response instructions can be generated to address emerging issues.

As a result, operators can react more quickly and allocate electricity more efficiently across the network.

The growing integration of artificial intelligence and energy infrastructure highlights how technological innovation is reshaping both sectors. By combining renewable energy with intelligent grid management, Shenzhen is demonstrating a model that seeks to support expanding AI capabilities while improving the resilience and sustainability of electricity systems.

With inputs from Reuters