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Final Newsletter of 2025 - N°84
âš¡Energy: China Commissions First Smart Unmanned Control System for a Gas Turbine Power Plant
China has officially put into operation its first smart unmanned control system for a gas turbine power plant, marking a significant step forward in the automation of critical energy infrastructure.
A diagram of a model gas turbine
The system was deployed at the Huaneng Shanghai Gas Power Station and became operational in early December 2025, according to state broadcaster CGTN.
What makes this system different ?
Unlike conventional automation, this solution enables fully autonomous operation of a gas turbine unit across its entire lifecycle:
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cold start-up
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grid connection
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load regulation
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shutdowN
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All these operations can now be executed without on-site human intervention, under normal operating conditions.
How it works ?
The system relies on AI-driven control algorithms that continuously collect and analyze operational data, assess equipment status in real time, and dynamically adjust control strategies.It replaces manual decision-making with automated judgment and predictive control, reducing operational risks linked to human error in complex thermal power systems.
Operational results
During commissioning tests:
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all key operational parameters reached 100% compliance,
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both cold and hot operating scenarios were successfully validated,
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the unit ran autonomously once the system was activated.
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This deployment represents:
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a concrete shift from assisted automation to unmanned operation in thermal power plants,
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improved operational safety and stability for high-risk energy infrastructure,
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a scalable model for future AI-controlled power generation systems.