RW Energy Xinjiang Bazhou Large-scale Data Center 6 kV Industrial Grid Intelligent Power Distribution Upgrade Case Study

Focusing on the high-reliability power supply demands of data centers, this project upgrades the 6kV industrial intelligent power distribution system. It enhances anti-sandstorm and wide-temperature environmental adaptability, integrates rapid protection and remote intelligent operation and maintenance technologies, stably supports high-density computing loads, and empowers the intelligent transformation of power grids in western computing hubs.

01 Project Overview

1.1Project Background

Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture (Bazhou), Xinjiang, serves as a strategic hub for China’s "East-to-West Computing Resource Transfer" initiative. Leveraging its abundant renewable energy and natural cooling resources, the region is rapidly developing its green computing industry. A large-scale data center in the area utilizes a 6 kV direct supply mode from a dedicated industrial grid, equipped with four 5,000 kVA transformers. This infrastructure provides 24/7 uninterrupted power for high-density loads, including AI computing, cloud services, and big data storage, acting as a vital digital asset for Southern Xinjiang.

The project faced three major challenges:

• High Reliability Requirements: Data centers require millisecond-level fault clearing to maintain 24/7 operations, which traditional protection switches fail to provide.
• Extreme Environmental Conditions: Bazhou’s significant diurnal temperature variations and intense sandstorms cause insulation aging, mechanical sticking, and dust ingress in standard outdoor equipment.
• Load Fluctuations and Surges: High-density computing loads cause frequent surges. Traditional manual inspections are inefficient and costly for managing such dynamic environments.

Since its commissioning, the project has withstood long-term operational tests under extreme cold and sandstorm conditions. The 6 kV Pole-mounted intelligent fee-control breakers deployed by RW Energy have not only resolved protection issues for industrial grid terminal loads but also built a high-reliability defense system through prepayment management and millisecond-level fault isolation.

1.2 Core Technical Parameters

1.3 Project Drawings

The equipment is accompanied by comprehensive electrical control drawings, covering the primary circuit, secondary control circuit, protection logic, sampling circuit, communication interface, and magnetic actuator wiring. These designs are fully compliant with Bazhou's 6 kV / 50 Hz distribution grid standards. The drawings clearly define the intelligent fee-control unit, meter linkage interface, and remote communication ports, ensuring stable fault clearing, surge suppression, and precision metering in harsh environments.

02 Technical Advantages and Functional Highlights

2.1 Technical Performance Advantages

• Integrated Compact Design: Integrates the breaker, magnetic actuator, and intelligent controller into one unit, saving 30% of installation space. The controller features a 304 stainless steel multi-layer enclosure with IP55 protection to resist sand, corrosion, and UV.

• High-performance Magnetic Actuator: Equipped with a reinforced magnetic mechanism, achieving a trip response time of only 35 ms. This allows for rapid clearing of transient faults and isolation of permanent faults, with a mechanical life exceeding 30,000 cycles.

• Multi-dimensional Monitoring: Real-time monitoring of current, voltage, and temperature with millisecond-level alerts. Built-in surge suppression mitigates load-switching impacts.
• Intelligent Fee-control (Prepayment): Interconnected with smart meters for precision metering and peak-load optimization. Supports remote control, fault location, and SCADA integration for unmanned O&M.
• Extreme Environment Adaptation: Uses specialized low-temperature lubricants and high-weatherability insulation to ensure reliable operation from -40 °C to +70 °C.

2.2 Core Application Highlights

03 Factory Testing and Quality Assurance

All units underwent rigorous testing according to IEC standards and National Grid specifications:

• Insulation and Dielectric Tests: Verified BIL 60 kV and power-frequency withstand voltage for the main body and secondary circuits.
• Contact Resistance Test: Used high-precision testers to ensure minimal resistance, preventing overheating during high-load data center operations.
• Mechanical Characteristic Test: Validated synchronicity, bounce, and 30,000-cycle life for the magnetic actuator.
• Protection Function Test: Simulated phase-to-phase faults, ground faults, power direction, closing-on-fault, and other conditions. Verify the logic and reliability of core protections (79 automatic reclosing, 50/51P phase overcurrent, 50/51G/N ground overcurrent, 50SEF sensitive earth fault, 50/67P/G directional protection, 27/59 over/undervoltage, negative sequence overcurrent, voltage unbalance), ensuring millisecond-level accurate fault identification and reliable operation.

• Environmental Adaptability Test: Simulate high temperature, low temperature, and sand dust environments to ensure compatibility with on-site conditions in Bazhou.
• Continuous Operation Test: Verify long-term stability by operating at full load without failure for more than 1800 consecutive hours.

04 Packaging and Logistics

Export-grade, moisture-proof, and shock-resistant packaging was used to withstand the long-distance transport across the Gobi Desert. All components and technical documents were strictly labeled and tracked to ensure on-time delivery to Bazhou.

05 Installation and Operational Summary

5.1 Field Implementation

• Conducted site surveys for pole reinforcement against high winds and sand.
• Executed hoisting, cable wiring, and grounding system construction according to drawings.
• Performed on-site commissioning, fault simulation, and SCADA linkage testing.
• Provided specialized training for local O&M teams on equipment operation and troubleshooting.

5.2 Operational Feedback

Since commissioning, the four 6 kV breakers have delivered exceptional performance:

• High Reliability: Zero unplanned outages despite extreme temperature cycles, maintaining 99.99%+ availability for the data center.
• Precision Energy Management: The intelligent fee-control unit successfully prevented power interruptions due to arrears or over-capacity via its early-warning system.
• Rapid Self-healing: During industrial grid surges, the millisecond-level protection successfully protected the downstream 5,000 kVA transformers, with fault isolation speed increased by 40% compared to traditional solutions.

This project fully demonstrates RW Energy’s technological strength and engineering delivery capabilities in the field of medium-voltage intelligent switchgear and data center power supply assurance. As a typical demonstration project for the intelligent upgrading of distribution networks under extreme environments in Xinjiang, it provides mature and replicable practical experience for power solutions of data centers in Northwest China and similar regions.

06 Full-Lifecycle Operation & Maintenance Managed Service

RW Energy provides full-lifecycle integrated O&M services for the Xinjiang Bazhou Data Center Project, covering a complete set of equipment including 6 kV pole-mounted intelligent fee-control breakers, intelligent controllers, and distribution terminals. The full-process services include installation and commissioning, operation monitoring, regular inspection, fault handling, technical training, and condition assessment.

The project adopts a mode of dedicated personnel responsibility, full-process tracking, and closed-loop management, ensuring long-term stable operation of equipment, reducing comprehensive operation and maintenance costs, and providing sustainable and reliable power support for the Bazhou Data Center and the regional power grid.

Contact us today to customize your power automation solutions for extreme environments. RW Energy: Professionalism and efficiency driving global energy development!