Abstract Fiber Wireless (FiWi) access network also known as hybrid wireless optical broadband access network is a promising modern access technology as it provides high bandwidth, better flexibility, reliability and stability at lower cost. Likewise other access networks, energy saving and survivability are the most important issues in FiWi also. Therefore this paper provides an optimization framework as a comprehensive solution for deployment of green and survivable FiWi network. We optimize ONUs position in the network using different optimization algorithms such as genetic algorithm, teaching learning based optimization algorithm and whale optimization algorithm (Encircling Prey and Spiral Update Positioning). This optimization helps in achieving energy efficiency and survivability by mutually connecting maximum possible ONUs and wireless routers to each other. An extensive simulation is carried out to show the effectiveness of the present work. Simulation results show reduction in number of all time active ONUs, total physical distance among ONUs and associated wireless routers and total active time of the network. At the same time survivability is achieved by increasing average ONU connectivity of wireless routers. A detailed comparison of applied algorithms states that out of different optimization algorithms, genetic algorithm provides best energy efficiency but average survivability. Teaching learning based optimization & whale optimization algorithm (Encircling Prey) are average energy efficient but survivability offered by these algorithms are average and excellent respectively. Similarly whale optimization algorithm (Spiral Update Positioning) provides good energy efficiency but average survivability. Hence as per the need of energy efficiency and survivability, suitable optimization algorithm can be selected for deployment of green and survivable FiWi access network.