Energy Magazine August 2022 | Page 40

“ Power utilities need to digitalise , automate and extend communications further out in the grid ”
CONNECTED ENERGY

Empowering

grids for the new energy future
“ Today , utilities tend to have good communications connectivity to their mid-to-large substations . Much of the renewable energy expansion , however , is happening today in places where utilities have limited or no connectivity . This is a challenge since the energy sources themselves must be monitored and controlled ,” says Dominique Verhulst , Global Head of the utilities vertical at Nokia .
A robust and capable communications network allows for the smooth relay of large amounts of data , better voice and video communications and deployment of IoT-based predictive maintenance . It also allows workers to operate efficiently and safely during construction and operation , especially at remote and dangerous locations like offshore wind farms .

“ Power utilities need to digitalise , automate and extend communications further out in the grid ”

DAVID CHRISTOPHE HEAD OF UTILITY SOLUTIONS MARKETING , NOKIA
Long Term Evolution ( LTE ) is a key 4G technology that has been part of public mobile networks for a while . The proliferation of licensed wireless spectrum has made it possible for private networks such as LTE ( 4.9G ) and 5G to play a major role in boosting communications . Industrial-grade private wireless can provide renewable energy providers with a network that is all-pervasive , independent , self-contained and secure .
40 August 2022