The heating season in Qingdao officially starts at midnight on November 16. On the evening of November 15, reporters visited local heating companies and residential homes, confirming that the city's heating system is operating smoothly, with households already experiencing warmth.

This year, the addition of more clean energy sources has made the heating supply "greener." Meanwhile, AI technology is being leveraged to predict and address uneven heating distribution across different neighborhoods, ensuring better service for residents.

**Service Upgrades Strengthen "Warmth Defense"** At the Xujiashan Heating Station of Qingdao Energy Thermoelectric Group, staff monitored heating parameters on large screens. Liu Gaojun, Deputy Party Secretary and General Manager of Qingdao Energy Group, stated that the company has prioritized upgrading aging pipelines and improving safety, completing renovations on 125.1 kilometers of outdated heating pipelines to reduce incidents and ensure stable operations.

To guarantee high-quality winter heating, Qingdao Energy Group has secured full natural gas supplies and stockpiled over 30 days' worth of coal reserves. Currently, 26 major heating plants and 1,661 heat exchange stations are operating safely. A digital monitoring platform tracks real-time network conditions, supported by 995 emergency personnel and 93 repair teams ready for 24/7 response.

At a resident’s home in Fushanhou Sixth Community, the indoor temperature reached 21°C. "It was already warm during the trial heating period, and now it’s very comfortable," said the homeowner.

**Green and Low-Carbon Heating Expands** Qingdao has actively promoted green energy transitions in heating, forming a diversified, clean, and efficient system. This year, the city’s total heating area reached 398 million square meters, with clean energy accounting for 173 million square meters—a record high.

Qingdao Energy Group, a key player in the sector, now sources 77% of its heating from clean energy, including gas boilers, industrial waste heat, seawater/groundwater heat pumps, and biomass boilers.

A pioneering project in Liunhe River utilizes reclaimed water for heating, converting low-grade thermal energy into usable heat. This system replaces traditional coal and gas boilers, reducing CO₂ emissions by 30,000 tons annually.

With the completion of the "coal-to-gas" conversion in urban areas, 27 gas boilers have replaced 44 coal-fired units, boosting efficiency by 30% and cutting coal use by 1 million tons per year.

In West Coast New Area, industrial waste heat is harnessed to replace coal, lowering heating costs by 300 million yuan per season while reducing emissions significantly.

**AI Enhances Smarter Heating** AI and big data are now integral to Qingdao’s heating systems. The city’s urban management bureau uses AI-driven complaint analysis to identify and rectify 102 problem areas, such as Xikang Road, where resident complaints dropped by 74%.

Qingdao Energy Group’s "smart heating system" proactively detects issues by remotely monitoring household temperatures and flow rates, enabling preemptive fixes.

West Coast Utility Group’s AI-powered platform integrates IoT and digital twin technologies, covering production, billing, customer service, and maintenance for comprehensive operational oversight.