In the United States, nearly all municipalities have deployed or are considering deploying smart grid initiatives to deliver intelligent energy services to their citizens. The attributes of reliability, operational efficiency, security and sustainability are the pillars of a smart grid solution, and should be carefully considered when choosing a network technology. The same is true for the smart city.
In order to leverage smart grid technologies for a smart city, the network should have the ability to scale, be able to interoperate with other systems, and remain operational for years or even decades in order to support the devices it serves.
Case in point, the small island of Aruba initiated a project to implement a smart grid network across its entire geography. The enhanced grid was used to streamline electricity distribution processes and provide customers with access to usage data, which resulted in more efficient use of power and services.
Although the initial network deployment was designed for smart electric meters, the utility needed the ability to scale the network at any time, to add a host of smart city applications. After evaluating an array of technologies, the utility selected RPMA®, a low-power, wide-area (LPWA) communications technology, which provided ubiquitous coverage, outstanding reliability and simple scalability for its smart city network. The initial smart grid rollout took place with a handful of smart electric meters running advanced metering infrastructure (AMI). Mere months later, distribution line monitors, transformer pressure sensors and smart streetlights were added to the network without additional network investment. The utility is also considering the addition of water and other applications to this network in the future.
Connecting devices across a smart city network can be challenging to say the least. Smart devices are constantly collecting data, but if the information is never shared, how can municipalities make well-informed decisions about infrastructure or resource allocation? A cohesive network management solution can provide support for multiple communication technologies, such as cellular, mesh and/ or LPWA. These smart platforms can aggregate data from disparate technologies and provide valuable insight into network operation through a unified interface.
For instance, a city may have a smart grid in place which uses mesh technology to connect its electric meters. Later, it may add other technologies such as RPMA to monitor underground assets or cellular to connect parking meters. This has driven smart grid management platforms to develop solutions which can connect all of these diverse applications under one technology umbrella.
Longevity is perhaps one of the most important factors in choosing a network for smart grid and smart city applications. Because most of the devices on these networks require very little power and virtually no maintenance, they can operate for several years or decades without the need for service. Sensors, electric/gas/water meters, street lights and parking meters fall into this category. The network, in turn, should operate with similar longevity, so it is important to select a communications technology that is not beholden to network sunsets or is not field upgradable.
For instance, currently, there are millions of devices running on 2G cellular networks. But, 2G technology is quickly being re-farmed and will become obsolete in a matter of a few years, which will leave all of these devices stranded without connectivity. The devices may still be useful, but the network they run on will cease to exist. The result is a costly upgrade to the next-generation network, but which one, as the exact scenario is sure to take place with 3G, 4G and beyond. Therefore, it is important to consider a network technology that will stand the test of time and will support devices throughout their useful lives.
What truly makes a city ‘smart’ is the ability to appropriately manage technology to deliver the most useful services to its citizens. Choosing the best network based on scalability, interoperability and longevity will ultimately help reduce costs and increase operational efficiencies in delivering services such as energy, water, waste management and transportation.
About the Author
Jason Wilson comes to Ingenu (formerly On-Ramp Wireless) with years of experience in product and program management in the telecommunications, defense, electronics and wireless industries. Prior to joining On-Ramp Wireless, he was vice president of product management at Ostendo Technologies, where he executed the development of an innovative immersive, curved screen display and secured a major DOD contract win for advanced imaging technologies. Prior to Ostendo, Mr. Wilson served in various product and program management roles at large companies and startups including L-3 Communications, TollBridge Technologies, and Nortel Networks. Early in his career, he served as an officer in the United States Air Force as a program manager for the Delta IV and Atlas V launch vehicle systems. Mr. Wilson has an M.S. in Systems Management from the University of Southern California and a B.S. in Astronautical Engineering from the United States Air Force Academy.
