Inside China's First Grid Substation Built Around Quantum Technology

A power substation in Hefei, in eastern China's Anhui province, has become the country's first facility built around the systematic use of quantum technology in an electrical grid, according to state media. The 220-kilovolt Houdian Quantum Application Demonstration Substation was commissioned in November 2024 and now runs 85 independently developed quantum devices across 18 categories, spanning quantum sensing, quantum communication, and quantum computing.

The substation uses diamond-based quantum sensing materials to monitor current fluctuations, and quantum-dot gas sensors to detect potential cable fire hazards and partial discharge faults inside switchgear. "We have replaced many manual inspection tasks with high-precision quantum sensing equipment," said Tian Teng, an engineer at the digitalization institute of the electric power research institute under State Grid Anhui Electric Power Co. "The new system can identify and diagnose equipment defects much faster, reducing both inspection costs and operating expenses."

A quantum lidar system on the substation's roof monitors atmospheric particles and cloud conditions within a 15-kilometer radius to provide early warnings of weather-related risks. Quantum attitude sensors mounted on transmission towers can detect magnetic field changes as small as one ten-thousandth of Earth's magnetic field, allowing precise monitoring of tower alignment, while quantum encryption equipment secures fiber-based and "5G plus quantum" communications across the network.

The substation has also adopted a quantum-computing approach to power flow analysis, validated on the topology of a real power grid using Origin Wukong, a domestically developed Chinese quantum computer. "This breakthrough provides an entirely new technical approach for large-scale power grid simulation," Tian said. "It is expected to further improve the real-time analytical and computing capabilities of power systems."

Building the substation was not straightforward. Zhao Long, head of the power quantum sensing laboratory at the electric power research institute under State Grid Anhui Electric Power Co., said there were no domestic precedents, established standards, or mature technical solutions to follow, and that the project nearly came to a standstill when overseas suppliers cut off supplies of high-quality diamond sensing materials. The team eventually partnered with domestic materials researchers to develop customized alternatives. "For several consecutive months, we spent our days at the substation collecting data and tuning system parameters, and our nights back in the laboratory refining algorithms and improving packaging and shielding designs," Zhao said. "When the quantum current transformer finally displayed accurate readings on the monitoring screen, everyone on the team burst into applause."

According to project estimates, the use of quantum technologies at the Houdian substation reduces annual electricity measurement errors by more than 500,000 kilowatt-hours. Several of the quantum technologies first demonstrated there have since been deployed elsewhere in Anhui province and are being introduced to more regions across China.