Spring brings vibrant energy and momentum to the Jinling region. In the southern Smart Grid Valley, automated production lines operate at high speed with robotic arms moving precisely, dispatching intelligent power equipment worldwide. At the State Grid Electric Power Research Institute, scientists concentrate on breakthroughs, with each experiment tracing the path of core technological advancements. In rural irrigation pump houses, smart power supply systems work silently, empowering traditional farming with digital technology. From factories to labs, cities to countryside, the smart grid industry surges with activity.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, Nanjing's smart grid industry achieved an average annual growth rate exceeding 20%. Last year, the industry scale surpassed 500 billion yuan. This clear trend indicates an emerging answer—following software and information services, Nanjing's next trillion-yuan industry is already underway.

Recently, Nanjing Mayor Li Zhongjun chaired a special symposium on the smart grid industry, noting that as China's new power system construction enters an intensive phase during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, grid investment will see leapfrog growth. The smart grid sector is embracing broader development opportunities, with Nanjing targeting it as a future "trillion-yuan industry."

The industry chain demonstrates comprehensive coverage of all critical segments. At Nanjing Electric, the world's largest glass insulator production base, automated lines operate continuously at full capacity. "First-quarter orders are fully booked, projecting a 14.4% year-on-year increase," said Wu Jie, assistant general manager. The strong start in 2026 provides solid momentum for annual development.

Glass insulators, crucial components for high-voltage transmission lines, reflect the sector's booming demand. With AI's explosive growth driving exponential computing power needs and creating massive electricity gaps—combined with global energy transition—new power system construction accelerates rapidly. The National Energy Administration's Blue Book for New Power System Development mandates basic completion by 2030, directly boosting intelligent investment proportions.

The industry's rapid growth trajectory gives Nanjing confidence in targeting it as the next trillion-yuan candidate. Meanwhile, Nanjing has established a "grid-focused" industrial system covering generation, grid, load, and storage—making it one of China's most complete industrial chains. From R&D to manufacturing, core components to end products, leading enterprises drive strong upstream-downstream collaboration, creating resilient and dynamic industrial competitiveness.

Last July, at a routine industrial matchmaking event in Jiangning Development Zone, China Electric Transformer promptly secured silicon steel sheet supplies from Nanjing Yiyuan Supply Chain Management. Their cooperation reached nearly 300 million yuan in direct supply during the second half, with 2024 collaboration expected to exceed 100 million yuan.

Daquan Electric, a leader in low-voltage switchgear with annual output exceeding 2 billion yuan, attributes its success to the zone's complete supply chain. "Proximity to partners like Phoenix Contact and NARI Technology ensures rapid component supply, maintaining high production efficiency," a company representative noted. "Under ideal conditions, we achieve 35-day delivery from contract to product completion."

Such clustered industrial chains provide stability against global supply fluctuations. This capability stems from leading enterprises' influence. As a sector leader, NARI Group boasts comprehensive smart grid coverage and internationally领先 core technologies while attracting upstream-downstream enterprises like a magnet.

China Electric Transformer, Jiangning's first Nasdaq-listed company, initially grew by partnering with giants like NARI. "We started by participating in supporting roles," recalled CEO Lu Han. Around NARI, especially in ultra-high voltage converter valves and power communication systems, Nanjing has clustered supporting enterprises forming a "leadership-driven, collaborative" ecosystem. Over 85% of NARI's components and software are locally sourced, cutting customized product delivery cycles by 30%.

Nanjing's smart grid sector now features leaders like NARI Group and Guodian Nanjing Automation, including one Top 500 manufacturer and over 10 champion firms. With 900+规上 enterprises, scaling effects solidify the trillion-yuan foundation.

Technological strength marks another distinctive feature. Keyuan Wisdom recently provided microgrid solutions for China's first marine hydrogen-ammonia-methanol project, ensuring technical support for offshore hydrogen production. Since its founding, the company prioritized technology—developing China's first fully autonomous distributed control system in 2021 after decades of R&D. The system now sees 30% quarterly order growth and was selected as China's sole DCS in the Ministry of Industry's first-edition software catalog.

Industry competition ultimately hinges on technology. NARI's RT21 series products power the newly opened Ningma intercity railway, while Guodian Nanjing Automation deployed China's first fully domestic nuclear generator-transformer protection system. NARI-led proposals on grid-forming energy storage passed IEC review, accelerating internationalization.

Data shows Nanjing dominates key segments: provincial grid dispatch automation systems hold 90% domestic market share, high-voltage relay protection equipment over 80%.

Deep industry-academia integration fuels innovation. All interviewed enterprises collaborate with universities, leveraging Nanjing's 25 power-related institutions. The city's talent pool includes academicians and thousands of researchers. The Smart Grid Industry Alliance unites enterprises, research institutes, and financial institutions for joint R&D.

Recently, State Grid Electric Power Research Institute with Southeast University and Hohai University secured three national smart grid projects, including AI-based load management technology, nurturing new breakthroughs.

Applications are diversifying beyond traditional power sectors. Jiangning Development Zone's virtual power plant, recognized by MIIT, operates like a high-tech lab without physical infrastructure. Its platform monitors real-time power generation, adjustable capacity, and carbon emissions, achieving 100% local distributed energy absorption.

Virtual plants exemplify smart grid integration of IT, communication, and control technologies, reshaping energy flows through感知, prediction, and flexible regulation. Academician Guo Jianbo noted AI-driven digitalization is inevitable for future power systems.

As AI's power appetite grows, computing-power coordination gains traction. NARI has developed full solutions from power supply to cooling, enabling flexible data center adjustment. At South Lake Metro Station's charging station, 80% of electricity comes from rooftop solar—a smart grid achievement. This integrated station features V2G technology, allowing EVs to become mobile storage units earning owner revenue while supporting grid stability.

Smart grid technologies also empower rural revitalization. NARI supports Jiangsu's hydrological monitoring network, providing data for irrigation and flood control. Its involvement in smart pump stations and reservoir management boosts efficiency while reducing costs.

Diverse applications expand the industry's imagination. Nanjing's 15th Five-Year Plan explicitly targets trillion-yuan smart grid scale by 2030. The symposium outlined multi-pronged strategies: cluster development, core technology breakthroughs, application expansion, talent cultivation, special funds, and global expansion support.

With full-chain advantages, technological strength, diverse applications, and policy support, this power-savvy city is poised to lead the smart grid race. "Nanjing-made" currents are illuminating the next trillion-yuan horizon.