Huawei has unveiled an initiative aimed at renewing the communication infrastructure on the African continent. At its core is the Fine-Grain Optical Transmission Network (fgOTN) technology. A recently published white paper, developed in close collaboration with African utility companies and presented at the Africa Energy Forum in Johannesburg, outlines the strategy for deploying this optical transmission network technology. The goal is to replace outdated systems and pave the way for a more efficient and digitized management of power grids.
The Need for a Renewed Infrastructure
African power utilities face the urgent task of modernizing their often decades-old communication systems. The currently used Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) infrastructures were originally designed for basic voice and data transmission and are no longer adequate for the demands of modern power grids. They can no longer handle the high data volumes and the necessary quality requirements for automated grid management, artificial intelligence applications, and real-time monitoring systems that are essential for improved grid stability and efficiency today.
What is fgOTN?
The fgOTN technology, a standard defined by the International Telecommunication Union’s Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T), is intended as the successor technology to replace the older infrastructure. It allows for the creation of special, dedicated channels within optical transmission networks. This architecture, known in the industry as “hard-pipe” technology, creates isolated data paths and guarantees stable service delivery. fgOTN aims to combine the proven security and stability of SDH with the scalability and intelligence of Optical Transport Network (OTN) technology. fgOTN is specifically tailored to the needs of the energy industry.
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Advantages for Africa’s Energy Grids
fgOTN networks can serve as the foundation for transitioning to smart grid architectures that require high bandwidth and low latency. They support a variety of modern applications, including the integration of distributed energy resources, automated fault detection, and energy trading platforms. Through fgOTN’s granular channel allocation, utility companies can reserve specific bandwidths for individual applications. This ensures that critical control systems receive prioritized access to network resources. This can not only lead to a reduction in power outages and improved customer service but also lower operating costs through increased efficiency. The technology supports unattended network operation, reducing the need for manual intervention in routine maintenance tasks. This is a particular advantage in remote areas where access for technicians is often limited. fgOTN networks can be seamlessly integrated with existing enterprise information systems. This allows for smooth data exchange between operational and information technology platforms. The integration can support analytical applications that correlate network performance data with weather data, energy market prices, and maintenance schedules.
Smart Grid
Luo Xin, Optical Product Director Huawei for the Southern Africa region, emphasizes the strategic relevance of this new standard and explains that the goal is to empower African utilities to use fgOTN for a smart grid, a network in which consumers and producers of electricity can communicate bidirectionally. This ensures a better balance of supply and demand, leading to more efficient energy use. Smart grids are particularly advantageous in regions where a lot of electricity is generated from renewable sources.
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