Two heavy-lift drones were used to operate in tandem to deliver heavy materials to work zones for the first time during the construction of a 220 kV power transmission line project in Chengde City of north China's Hebei Province, significantly improving construction efficiency.
The transmission line stretches 72.8 kilometers, with many of the construction sites located in ecologically fragile areas.
To raise efficiency while minimizing impact on local environment, engineers have used two drones to deliver transmission tower components and auxiliary materials. The two drones have a combined maximum payload capacity of 650 kilograms.
"Thanks to the drones, hundreds of tons of tower materials can be delivered to the tower foundation construction sites on the mountain in a single day, greatly improving our construction efficiency," said Wang Shuai, an engineer.
During the construction, engineers created customized transportation plans based on the weight, shape, and protection requirements of different materials, and used either single-drone flights or coordinated dual-drone operations accordingly.
"The reliable application of ultra-heavy-lift drone transportation provides replicable and scalable smart and green solutions for power grid construction under similar complex terrain conditions," said Chang Zheng, another engineer.
325 kg per drone: heavy-lift drones transform power line construction in Hebei
325 kg per drone: heavy-lift drones transform power line construction in Hebei
The U.S.-China Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum and the promotion meeting for the 5th China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) was held in Chicago on Thursday, with the participation of over 180 representatives from political and business circles of the two countries.
As the world's first national-level exhibition focusing on supply chains, the CISCE has been an internationally shared public good since the first edition was held in 2023. The fifth edition is expected to be held in 2027.
Attendees at the event noted that the industrial and supply chains of China and the U.S. are deeply intertwined, providing a solid foundation and broad scope for cooperation.
They called on the business community to strengthen exchanges to promote healthy and stable development of China-U.S. economic and trade relations.
"The Chinese market is huge. Arguably, China is one of the best manufacturers in the whole world. The supply chain connectivity and the growth of the Chinese market is substantial. So the U.S. and China have to find a way to be able to cooperate because of both our economic size, our competitiveness and ability to use comparative advantages to accelerate both of our economies," said Daniel Bellefleur, vice president of foreign direct investment, Illinois Economic Development Corporation.
"I think the more we learn about each other, the more we are going to see our commonality, and I truly believe that we have a lot to gain by collaboration," said Lori Lightfoot, former mayor of Chicago.
Event held in Chicago to promote 5th China's supply chain expo
