Quanniu Wind Farm in Pingding county, Yangquan, generates clean energy. [Photo/Yangquan Daily]

Yangquan in Shanxi province, the first prefecture-level city in China to fully open autonomous driving, has completed intelligent upgrades at 36 key traffic intersections.

These AI-driven systems analyze real-time traffic conditions and adjust traffic lights to create dynamic "green waves," reducing average stop times by 53 percent and boosting efficiency by 35 percent. This transformation enhances traffic flow and cuts energy consumption and carbon emissions.

Yangquan is boldly combining digital economy and carbon reduction efforts, focusing on green transitions in energy and infrastructure. As a national pilot for pollution and carbon reduction, Yangquan High-tech Industrial Development Zone is developing a smart carbon management platform in partnership with institutions like Tsinghua University. This platform collects energy data from 339 major enterprises and manages carbon budgets across manufacturing, transportation, and construction industries.

Yangquan is also actively implementing smart carbon-reduction projects. Seven initiatives, including battery storage systems and recycling programs, are already underway, amounting to investments of over 60 billion yuan ($8.52 billion).

With a strong commitment to its energy revolution, Yangquan aims to transition from traditional coal-based power to a multi-energy structure incorporating wind, solar, and hydroelectric power. By the end of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), the city plans to achieve over 400MW of new energy capacity, with more than 40 percent from renewable sources.