In Datong, server clusters at computing power centers including Chindata Group Holdings Ltd's Beijing-Surrounding Taihang Mountain Energy Information Technology Industrial Base and Zhonglian Green Big Data Industrial Base operate around the clock in temperature-controlled facilities. Wind howling across the northern plateau and scorching sunlight are converted into clean electricity, generating powerful computing capacity to drive the digital economy amid the flickering of countless indicator lights.
In recent years, during the construction of a computing power city, Datong has transformed its resource endowments into development momentum, fully leveraging the "magnetic field effect" of computing power center clusters. A complete green computing power industrial chain is rapidly taking shape, spanning from upstream server manufacturing and green power supply to downstream AI applications and data annotation.
"Phases 1-9 of Chindata Group Holdings Ltd's Beijing-Surrounding Taihang Mountain Energy Information Technology Industrial Base are now operational. Starting from Phase 7, we innovatively adopted a cooling combination system of 'liquid-side cold plate liquid cooling and air-side magnetic levitation phase change.' Compared to IDEC cooling technology facilities, this project significantly reduces electricity and water consumption, achieving an annual average PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness) as low as 1.16, making it one of the most energy-efficient data centers nationwide," said a representative from the base.
Such efficient operations exemplify Datong's computing power industry. By the end of 2024, the city had cumulatively deployed 680,000 servers with annual electricity consumption exceeding 4.3 billion kilowatt-hours. In the "China Comprehensive Computing Power Index (2024)" released at the 2024 China Computing Power Conference, Datong's urban computing power sub-index ranked third nationally, establishing it as an influential core computing power city surrounding the capital.
With the successive establishment of JD Group's North China (Datong Lingqiu) Intelligent Computing Power Data Center Base, Volcano Engine Taihang Computing Power Center, and other data centers, Datong has demonstrated strong industrial magnetism.
**Upstream: Driving Equipment Manufacturing**
At the Yangao Server Intelligent Manufacturing Production Base workshop of Shanxi Zhonglian Lianzhi Digital Technology Co., Ltd., several technicians in anti-static work clothes are busy assembling and testing servers.
The server manufacturing project leverages Aerospace Lianzhi's comprehensive experience and technology in server design, production, and manufacturing. By combining new infrastructure with intelligent manufacturing and optimizing the integration of "human-machine-object-environment-information," it provides users with high-performance, flexible server customization, along with integrated services including highly reliable testing, intelligent operation and maintenance, and manufacturing repairs.
"Last year, we completed computing power server orders worth 192.4 million yuan. In the first half of this year, we signed contracts for standard server (2U) modification projects and received distributed orders from the group," said Zeng Biao, General Manager of Zhonglian Lianzhi. The company plans to increase technological investment and continuously enhance upstream and downstream industrial clustering levels to build a favorable digital industry ecosystem.
**Downstream: Activating Data Services**
As the "utilities" of the digital economy era, computing power has become key infrastructure for developing new productive forces.
At Yungang Grottoes scenic area, staff carefully capture every detail of the caves using close-range photogrammetry equipment and 3D laser scanners, with digital technology providing powerful support for the protection and restoration of ancient cultural heritage.
The "Cloud Valley Voice" industrial brand continues to gain recognition, with 67 call annotation companies including JD, Shanghai Runxun, and Douyin establishing operations in Datong, collectively enabling over 30,000 young people to find local employment opportunities.
At China National Heavy Duty Truck Group Datong Gear Co., Ltd.'s intelligent factory, robotic arms flexibly operate behind dust-proof glass to complete welding tasks, while AGV vehicles silently travel along magnetic floor strips nearby.
These scenes reflect the deep integration of computing power and data.
In recent years, Datong has maintained systematic planning, increasing policy support around industrial development. The city has successively formulated and implemented specialized policies including the "Implementation Plan and Several Policies for Accelerating Digital Economy Development in Datong" and the "Implementation Plan for Accelerating Digital Government Construction in Datong," providing comprehensive support in areas such as technological innovation and talent recruitment while fostering a conducive development environment.
"This year, we have also prioritized the introduction of the 'Three-Year Action Plan for Data Industry Development in Datong (2024-2026)' and the 'National Data Annotation Base Construction Plan,' both promoting Datong's integrated data-computing development from a 'big industry' perspective," said a representative from the Municipal Data Bureau.
From underground coal to cloud-based data, Datong has used computing power centers as leverage points to drive upstream and downstream industries. With government and enterprises working in unison, the city has opened the door to the digital economy. Transitioning from "exporting coal and electricity" to "exporting computing power and services," Datong is writing a new chapter in resource-based economic transformation using computing power as its pen and data as its ink.