IT & Automation
Fig. 1. The most pressing question is how to maintain universal connectivity as part of a credible and robust communications network.
Universal connectivity and the smart grid
Chris O’Dell reports on smart metering and the need for consistent connectivity.
Chris O’Dell informa sobre los contadores inteligentes y la necesidad de una conectividad constante.
Chris O’Dell berichtet über intelligente Messtechnik und die Notwendigkeit konsistenter Anschlüsse.
A
lthough every utility operates differently, there are clear parallels as to what is required to provide a resilient, ubiquitous communications infrastructure
that enables information to flow from large numbers of meters via a smart grid to the central hub. Today, national roll-outs of smart metering
programmes across countries looking for the commercial and environmental benefits of reduced energy usage have once again put the important issue of broadband coverage under the spotlight. A common driver is that individual homes and businesses must have access to smart meters in order to facilitate a smart grid infrastructure. And this does not just apply to traditionally hard-to-reach remote geographies, as in many cases town-centre high-rise tower blocks can also
struggle for consistent coverage. Perhaps the most pressing question is how to maintain universal connectivity as part of a credible and robust communications network, in a way which will ensure the success of a smart meter roll-out in each country.
Towards a ‘smarter’ world Satellite communications can play an important role in helping providers meet this tough challenge. Not only will it provide effective coverage for those locations with inadequate terrestrial or cellular coverage, but will also form a part of the underlying communications network in supporting a smart metering programme. Such initiatives will typically focus initially on the customer benefits resulting from more accurate measurement and reporting of electricity
www.engineerlive.com 35
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60