KEMA whitepaper series: integrated network strategy for utilities
Define the topics to be covered, solutions to explore. Receive complimentary copies of the whitepapers
AMI, Smart Grid, Home Area Networks, Mobile Workforce Automation. Pick up any utility publication or attend any conference and these are the hot topics of the industry. The business and the regulatory bodies are requiring that these technologies be deployed by the utility. However, these applications are heavily dependent on having a robust, secure, communications network. Are utilities ready to deploy these technologies now? Can they do so in a cost efficient manner?
The communications network has become as important to the utility as the electric or gas transmission and distribution networks. Over the last 10-20 years, utilities have been challenged with the need to transfer huge amounts of data from the plants, the energy network, and the fi eld to applications to support operational and analytical functions. However, over this time, several issues have evolved around this network environment. These issues potentially challenge the utility’s ability to efficiently and cost-effectively design and deploy AMI, the Smart Grid and Mobile Workforce applications:
Aging obsolete non-integrated networks – Utilities have a collection of many different, non-integrated networks that have been implemented to support a specific function such as load shed or SCADA. They often run over an aging infrastructure that is costly to maintain and difficult to upgrade.
Lack of network management and optimization tools – There is limited use of common network management tools partly due to networks evolving as siloed and isolated applications and partly due to the networks running over proprietary protocols.
Siloed and Aging workforce – Because the networks have evolved to support specific, business-area needs, the support of the networks are often managed by isolated groups within the utility that often have staff that is close to retirement.
Demand for increased reliability – Expectations of reliability of the networks have increased as the utility has become more dependent on these networks to support operational and analytical functions. As the public Internet has become ubiquitous and reliable, the expectations of the utility’s networks have increased as well.
As the emergence of AMI, the Smart Grid, and the expansion of the Mobile Workforce Automation and computing occurs, while the business is also asking for increased capabilities and reliability from the utility’s existing network applications, utilities are facing large and potentially very expensive decisions on how to deploy these new technologies.
Take the integrated network strategy survey
KEMA is compiling a series of white papers on leveraging a common communications infrastructure to support mobile field data, AMI, and smart grid initiatives. The series will include detailed discussions of potential solutions possibly based around specific areas of interest to industry professionals. Take a short on-line survey here and let us know the topics of most importance and interest for you and your utility.
Survey participants will influence the areas to be covered in the series and will receive the survey results summary and complimentary copies of the whitepapers.
Learn more
To learn more about KEMA’s integrated network strategies for utilities, contact us at info.consulting@kema.com or visit us at www.kema.com/telecom.
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