Quantum breakthrough in energy: China launches the first "smart" substation using new technologies
China's energy sector is taking a decisive step into the future. In the city of Hefei, the administrative center of Anhui Province, the country's first demonstration electrical substation has been commissioned, where quantum technologies are applied systematically rather than as an experiment. The Houdian facility, operating at 220 kV, began functioning in November 2024, and its engineering solutions are already demonstrating impressive results.
A New-Level Technological Arsenal
The node, which can be described as partially automated, is equipped with 85 in-house quantum devices divided into 18 categories. These systems are deployed in three key areas: sensing, communication, and computing. Among the most interesting solutions are diamond-based quantum sensors for ultra-precise monitoring of current fluctuations and quantum dot sensors that analyze the gas environment in control cabinets in real time, identifying risks of cable fires and partial discharges.
Of particular note is the quantum lidar, which scans the atmosphere within a 15-kilometer radius for early warning of weather threats, and quantum position sensors on power line towers, capable of detecting magnetic field changes at a level of 1/10,000 of the Earth's field. This allows tower alignment to be monitored with unprecedented precision.
Quantum Cryptography and Computing
The facility's security is ensured by fiber-optic quantum communication and encrypted channels of the 5G+ quantum standard, making control interception virtually impossible. And for analyzing power flow distribution, the Origin Wukong quantum computer is employed. This opens the way to solving the problem of real-time modeling of large-scale power grids—a task beyond the capabilities of classical computing systems.
Significantly, project engineers note that the new system detects and diagnoses equipment defects much faster, reducing operational costs. However, the materials do not specify whether the quantum machine outperforms traditional systems in computation speed and accuracy. Nevertheless, according to expert estimates, the innovations have already reduced the annual error in electricity measurement by more than 500,000 kWh. The technologies tested at Houdian are already beginning to be deployed at other energy facilities in Anhui Province.
My analysis: This project is not just a demonstration of technologies but a signal of the start of a practical race for quantum superiority in critical infrastructure. Traditional grids, overloaded by renewable energy, require precisely this level of accuracy and speed. The success of Houdian could become a catalyst for the large-scale adoption of quantum solutions worldwide, which in the long term will also affect adjacent industries, including fintech and data security.