Hainan Power Grid has completed a major upgrade of its communications backbone, deploying a 100G optical transport network (OTN) in partnership with Huawei. The project marks a significant step in building a resilient, intelligent power system for island grids.
The new network increases communication transmission capacity across Hainan province by at least ten times. It also establishes a unified optical platform that sets a new benchmark for modern power systems, particularly in geographically isolated regions.
Rising Power Demand Drives Network Transformation
Hainan’s rapid development as a Free Trade Port has pushed electricity demand sharply higher. Industries now rely on data-intensive applications such as grid-computing integration and AI-driven power management. At the same time, the island faces frequent typhoons and heavy rainfall, which raise the stakes for grid reliability.
These pressures have exposed the limits of Hainan Power Grid’s legacy communications infrastructure. Systems based on SDH and 10G OTN struggle to support bandwidth-heavy applications such as intelligent remote inspections and unmanned aerial vehicle patrols. Limited access points and aging architectures no longer meet the low-latency and high-reliability needs of next-generation power systems.
A Province-Wide 100G Backbone
To address these challenges, Hainan Power Grid Company, part of China Southern Power Grid, worked with Huawei to deploy a 100G OTN using wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technology. The upgrade builds on the existing 10G network while creating a unified, province-wide backbone.
The project expands network capacity from N×10G to N×100G and connects provincial, municipal, and county dispatch centers. It also extends connectivity to substations across the island. Once completed, the network will cover 30 sites and link 17 access points.
The architecture supports bandwidth upgrades from GE to 10GE and creates headroom for future services, including voice and video LANs and digital twin substations. The design also allows smooth evolution toward emerging technologies without major structural changes.
Key Technologies Improve Reliability and Resilience
Several technical features distinguish the network. The system uses 100G digital coherent reception technology, which improves tolerance to chromatic and polarization mode dispersion. This capability removes the need for complex dispersion planning and enhances transmission stability.
To cope with frequent thunderstorms, the network incorporates lightning-resistant optical technologies with enhanced polarization stability. These measures reduce lightning-related disruptions on optical fiber composite overhead ground wires and keep service quality within operational limits during extreme weather.
A dual-ring interconnected architecture provides self-healing protection. Each site maintains at least two diverse routes to provincial and backup dispatch centers, ensuring uninterrupted communication during faults or emergencies.
The network also relies on OTN devices with pure electrical cross-connect technology. This enables flexible, SDH-like digital switching and signal regeneration. Raman amplification and forward error correction further support long-distance transmission for services such as automated dispatch, video surveillance, and environmental monitoring.
Enabling a Smarter, More Flexible Power Grid
The high-speed 100G OTN network now serves as the digital backbone for Hainan’s power system transformation. It supports real-time data transmission from wind and solar plants, improving forecasting accuracy and dispatch efficiency as renewable penetration increases.
The network integrates operations across generation, grid, load, and storage. It allows real-time monitoring and control of substations, renewable assets, and consumption systems. This integration improves grid flexibility and overall operational efficiency.
The system also accelerates intelligent grid development. It provides reliable connectivity for smart meters, intelligent substations, and other devices that require constant, low-latency communication.
A Digital Artery for the Energy Transition
The new network delivers millisecond-level transmission for offshore wind, solar, and other variable energy sources. It helps raise renewable energy consumption rates above 98 percent. Using an all-electric cross-connect architecture and an Automatically Switched Optical Network, the system coordinates generation, grid, load, and storage in real time.
The network now supports 100G access to 200 intelligent substations. This upgrade improves inspection efficiency tenfold and reduces fault response times to minutes. It also enables centralized remote control and unattended operations.
The infrastructure ensures high power quality for critical events such as the Boao Forum for Asia and space launches at Wenchang. At the same time, it delivers stable electricity for homes, businesses, and industries across the island.
With continuous upgrades to its optical communications, Hainan Power Grid now provides deterministic, low-latency, and secure connectivity for AI-driven grid applications. The project marks a shift from traditional power transmission toward an integrated system that combines generation, grid, load, and storage, offering a blueprint for resilient island power systems worldwide.
