(Yicai Global) July 30 -- The National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai will use an Internet of Power to make sure the second China International Import Expo, which it hosts this November, runs without any glitches in terms of power supply.

The State Grid's IoP covers the West Hongqiao Central Business District and uses sensors and monitors to collect power grid data in real time and help stations know which equipment is using how much power so they can improve efficiency, Xinhua News Agency reported today, citing a local State Grid employee.

There are over 200 smart manhole covers over power cables at the CIIE exhibition space, he added, saying these can alert staff to any abnormalities as they collect information from the environment below, such as oxygen, carbon monoxide, methane, sulfide and liquid levels, as well as temperature and humidity in real time.

The system will not only prevent power failures but also ensure there is not even a flicker in the supply, said Qian Chaoyang, president of State Grid's Shanghai arm.

The CIIE was the world's first national-level expo focused on imports. Its second iteration will take place from Nov. 5 through Nov. 10 and hopes to be bigger, better and more innovative than the original.

Editor: James Boynton