Amidst the harsh winter conditions of the Qinling Mountains in Shaanxi province, a dedicated team of power maintenance professionals stands vigilant as the nation prepares for Lunar New Year celebrations. While millions journey home for family reunions, Zhou Hongliang and his specialized crew maintain round-the-clock surveillance at a critical 110kV ice melting station, combating the severe threat of ice accumulation on vital transmission infrastructure.
The operational team employs advanced de-icing technology to prevent catastrophic power failures that could disrupt electricity supply to remote mountain communities and critically impact the Baoji-Chengdu Railway, a major transportation artery experiencing heightened passenger traffic during China’s Spring Festival travel rush. Their work represents an essential but often overlooked component of holiday infrastructure security.
Zhou, who leads the transmission maintenance unit, articulated his team’s unique relationship with their equipment, stating: “What others perceive as cold steel represents something akin to family for us.” This philosophical approach to their critical infrastructure duties underscores the deep commitment required to maintain essential services under extreme environmental conditions.
The team’s specialized winter operation protocols include continuous monitoring of meteorological conditions, strategic deployment of ice-melting technology, and physical inspections of transmission lines across challenging mountainous terrain. Their efforts ensure uninterrupted power delivery during one of China’s most important cultural periods, when energy demands peak amid increased domestic consumption and travel activity.