The so-called ‘Strong Smart Grid’ refers to a power grid based on strong network framework, with telecommunication info platform as a support, and dependence on intelligent control as means. It includes six components, i.e.power generation, power transmission, power transformation, power distribution, power usage and dispatching in the power system, which covers all voltage grades, and fulfills high level integration of “electric power flow, info flow,business flow”. Smart grid is not only an electric current transmission network, but also an info transmission network. It requires the fusion and integration of power transmission technology and information technology.

China has incorporated the construction of‘Strong Smart Grid’ into the “Twelfth Five Year Plan”. According to the “Three Step”strategic plan of the national smart grid, the period between 2009 and 2010 is pilot planning stage, the period between 2011 and 2015 is full construction stage, and the period from 2016 till 2020 is guidance and enhancement stage. It is also estimated that by 2020 China will achieve synchronized power grid in “North China, East China, Central China” to develop a main grid framework of “Five longitudinal, six horizontal and one circular network”, and complete the ‘Strong Smart Grid’. This year is the first year in the full-scale construction of‘Strong Smart Grid’ stage. The major planned tasks include speeding up the construction of ultra-high voltage grid and urban and rural power distribution network, initially developing smart grid operation control and interactive service system, making significant improvements in the application of key technology and equipment.

On the other hand, due to the need of overhead power transmission line and power cable to deliver power from power plant to end users, the aluminum usage for long distance power transmission will not decrease. Because of the wide acknowledgment of aluminum alloy among end users, there will be a significant increase in the usage of aluminum alloy, and the choice of cable core conductance material will also shift toward aluminum alloy. It is estimated that by the end of the “Twelfth Five Year Plan”, the aluminum usage for cable purpose will increase by about 3,000,000 tons.