Deep inside the underground caverns of Xiluodu HPP, an agile silhouette clings firmly to the vertical surface of a 20 m-high GIL (Gas-Insulated Metal-enclosed Transmission Line) pipe, scaling steadily upward. As it ascends, real-time data on wall thickness, temperature, and fault signals flash dynamically across the display screen of the ground control console. This is the "Spider-Man", a vertical high-drop GIL climbing robot independently developed by Xiluodu HPP operated by CYPC, hard at work executing intelligent inspections of the GIL transmission lines.

As the world's fourth-largest and China's third-largest hydropower plant, Xiluodu HPP relies on GIL pipes with a vertical drop of nearly 500 meters to transmit the power generated by its 18 hydro-generating units in both the left and right bank underground powerhouses up to the surface grid. As the GIL serves as the "power highway", its safe and stable operation directly impacts the plant's power generation benefits and grid security, making its O&M a critical task of the plant's operational management.

Over nearly 13 years of O&M, crews have faced long-standing challenges. Although maintenance platforms were installed at intervals along the GIL pipes during construction, tackling the 20-meter vertical drops still requires taking the GIL out of service and erecting scaffolding. Compounding the issue, the workspace is extremely cramped and enclosed, and the pipe walls are smooth and susceptible to damage. Consequently, maintenance personnel are constantly exposed to significant safety hazards.

How can we free workers from environments characterized by high hazards, intense labor, and severe risks? Xiluodu HPP operated by CYPC has answered this call with action and innovation—the vertical high-drop GIL climbing robot was born.

"In the past, GIL maintenance meant working at heights for hours on end. By the time you finished, you were soaked in sweat," sighed MA Jun, an O&M worker. "Now, with just a few taps on the ground control screen, we can complete the entire inspection via 'Spider-Man'. The readings are spot-on, the data come in instantly, and the robot can rapidly pinpoint faults, saving us time and effort."  

Now officially on duty, this "Spider-Man" can inspect the pipelines while the GIL remains energized, eliminating the need for personnel to work at heights. It has truly liberated the O&M team from grueling and dangerous operational models, unlocking a brand-new paradigm for high-altitude GIL maintenance. Furthermore, equipped with built-in features such as autonomous navigation, automated climbing, 360-degree omnidirectional inspection, electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) testing, and real-time data transmission, the robot triples O&M efficiency and reduces pipe wall thickness measurement errors to a mere 0.01 millimeters, tangibly elevating the overall standard of GIL O&M.

The birth of "Spider-Man" stands as a vivid testament to Xiluodu HPP's commitment to innovation-driven high-quality development. Right here at the same plant, a fleet of over a dozen smart devices, including gallery inspection robots and defect detection robots for Francis turbine runners, have been successively deployed. Blanketing nearly all core areas of the facility, they play pivotal roles in inspecting critical equipment and facilities, detecting defects, and assisting operations. Together, these intelligent machines weave a comprehensive O&M network for smart hydropower.

Looking ahead, CYPC will continue to embrace a pragmatic spirit of confronting and conquering challenges. Advancing along the path of smart hydropower development, the Company will tackle more operational bottlenecks and translate further innovations into tangible results, injecting an endless stream of technological momentum into the frontlines of hydropower.