The system could realize precise control of electric equipment in one location. For example, in case of a power shortage, it could cut the supply to some lights and increase temperature of air conditioners, while ensuring supply to essential departments.

A project using unified power flow controller has also been put into operation in Jiangsu province.

The UPFC, dubbed a "smart navigation device for grid", can solve unequal distribution of power and supply bottlenecks by automatically matching the power transmission rate of different lines, and transferring some power from overloaded lines to underloaded ones.

More state-of-art grid technologies are in the pipeline.

For example, the eastern city of Shanghai is planning to build a "resilient grid" which will be able to automatically reboot the grid in the event of a massive blackout.