Demonstrating energy-efficiency improvements in load-adaptive dynamic multilayer optical networks

The discussion about sustainability and climate change as well as the energy cost perspective of network operators gives increasing attention to the energy efficiency of telecommunication networks. A promising way to improve the energy efficiency of such networks is the load-adaptive operation in which the network capacity is adjusted to the actual timevarying traffic transport needs. In this paper the concept of load-adaptive operation in the core network is explained, with the respective underlying optical network and the associated mathematical optimization. Within the DESI project a demonstrator has been realized with a commercially available WDM/OTN system. As results, concrete proven power and energy savings and the projected savings for a nationwide multilayer core network are reported.