Autonomous Tech and Self-Driving Cars Dominate the Headlines
The autonomous tech industry is poised to explode, driving job growth and technological innovation. Everything from self-driving vehicles to automated infrastructure is sitting on a precipice of advancement that can be a truly momentous step into the era of the connected world. This week, we are focusing on some of the industry news surrounding autonomous vehicles, including the manufacturing aspect, their space in a smart city, and how major metropolitan areas initially resistant to the technology are starting to come around. In Japan the Race is On for Self-Driving Cars IMAGE by Takashi Aoyama According to a recent study by the Boston Consulting Group, fully autonomous vehicles are expected to account for a quarter of all new cars by 2035 — a slice of the auto industry totaling around $77 billion. While automakers across the globe are racing to become a leader in this new tech, no where is the competition more intense than in the auto-manufacturer rich island nation of Japan. This recent article from the San Francisco Chronicle notes that Toyota, Nissan and Honda have all made significant investments in developing autonomous tech. The autonomous vehicle race is particularly impactful because of the major implications to not only car OEMs who have to fundamentally change the way they approach their product, but to the hardware and software companies building the technology that will support these highly sophisticated (and regulated) vehicles. Could Owning an Autonomous Car Make You “Traffic Elite”? IMAGE courtesy ZDNet If you end up being an early adopter of new autonomous tech, you may find your commute becomes shorter. ZDNet explains that a recent proposal from UC Berkeley grad students suggested the creation of a “Hyperland” — a special traffic lane reserved just for self-driving vehicles. If you want to be in the Hyperlane, you better not mind a brisk ride as the special lanes would allow for speeds over 100mph. The traffic on the Hyperlane would be controlled by a central computer that monitors traffic congestion, speed, and other variables through advanced sensor arrays and keeps traffic flowing freely. The project will cost a cool $11.4 per mile of road, so travel will likely come with a toll to ease the financial burden. Self-Driving Cars Job Market Booming IMAGE by Gene J. Puskar, AP With so much emphasis on autonomous driving, cities are rushing to cash in on the movement. According to the Detroit Free Press, the advanced driver assistance systems and autonomous vehicle market was around $5 billion in 2015. It’s projected to grow to $96 billion by 2025 and a staggering $290 billion by 2035. This massive market growth has led to a number of cities across the country pitching their location as the “place to be” for autonomous tech. From Austin to Pittsburgh, automakers, OEMs and even government officials are pushing for their city as the best spot for innovation in the autonomous vehicle space. So will it be Detroit or Silicon Valley? Or one of a host of other cities vying for a slice of this massive cash cow? Time will tell. Better Late than Never: New York Easing Up on Laws for Driverless Vehicles Back in 1971, New York passed a state law insisting all motor vehicles have a driver with at least one hand on the wheel at all times. Back then, this seemed that a pretty standard rule — but with the advent of self-driving cars, the rules of the game have changed. A recent article from the Democrat and Chronicle noted that until recently, New York was the only state the explicitly banned driverless cars from its roadways. However, the state has now approved a pilot program to allow the testing of driverless vehicles under certain conditions. State Senator Joe Robach was a vocal advocate for the new change. “While the technology for fully driverless cars is in the future, consumers certainly appreciate the automated technology that is currently in cars, including lane assist, self-braking, hands-free park assist and collision avoidance,” he said. “The legislation that was passed earlier this year ensures that driverless cars can be tested on the roads that future consumers in our state will use them on and are tested responsibly.” Audi of America is the first automaker to get approved for the new program, with other manufactures expected to jump on board in the coming months.
7 Tips for OEMs to Improve SCADA Networking Communications
From remote field sensors to Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and I/O modules, industrial wireless radios connect your device and sensor ecosystems with robust and reliable links. Furthermore, wireless data radio networking technology connected to I/O modules for SCADA applications have become faster, smarter and their firmware now easier to upgrade. More options and frequencies, including 2.4 GHz for short range I/O and 900MHz for long range data networking, continue to improve SCADA-based network communications for robotics, industrial automation, unmanned systems and heavy machinery. So what do Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) need to know when deciding upon which technology to use? Below are seven tips for OEMs to consider when reviewing industrial wireless communication options. 1) Assess Technology Options for the SCADA Network Start first by identifying your needs, goals, and limitations. When it’s time to research technology options, observe what’s available today and what’s going to be available in the future, heeding the “buyer beware” saying. Communication products vary in many ways, and each manufacturer and/or technology has advantages and disadvantages. No single product—and likely not a single manufacturer—can meet all application needs. 2) Reduce Costs While some companies seek to continue to preserve existing investments of wired and wireless technologies, wireless options have clear advantages for SCADA systems. Most obviously, wireless installations reduce labor and material costs by avoiding hard-wiring remote assets. Speed of deployment adds savings. Wired systems can take days or weeks to be properly installed. Wireless networks generally require only the end points to be installed, saving substantial time and costs. Networks need to scale gracefully as the number of end points increases. After installation savings, scalability is the biggest advantage of wireless over hard-wiring, including slow integration into wired systems as it’s implemented. 3) Consider Hybrid Benefits Toss out any old perceptions. If you need mobile SCADA network access, find somebody that offers it. If you have a microwave tower place, use it. Piggyback slower licensed radio networks with faster 902-928 MHz frequency hopping, AES encrypted networks. Know that you can install I/O capable radios (analog and digital signal, 4 to 20 and 1 to 5) to relay contact closures or other data without adding a new Progammable Logic Controllder (PLC) or Remote Terminal Unit (RTU). 4) Maximize SCADA System Value With telemetry technologies, such as spread spectrum radios, the same radio used in RTUs can act as a slave device sending data back to the SCADA host, and as a repeater to other field devices or other RTUs. This allows almost limitless network expansion by using remote sites as a series of repeaters, and by using radios in the RTUs to poll the instrumentation. Polling the instrumentation creates a second network reporting wirelessly back to the RTU. This shorthaul network is the equivalent of a local area network (LAN). 5) Don’t Use a Proprietary SCADA System By using a non-proprietary SCADA system, users gain real-time access, control, and monitoring of their network (including all the devices and functions of their network). They can manage requirements of an ever-growing system allowing them to manage their network in real-time with fewer bodies and hours invested. Security and safety improves with better monitoring. For instance, some industrial systems don’t contain a process for monitoring the cathodic integrity for corrosion (like in water/wastewater and oil and gas) to avoid disaster. But with deployment of a wireless system, they can. They can begin by monitoring simple things, such as pump stations at wells, using I/O radios communicating back to the central SCADA system to get up-to-date information on the tanks’ or pipelines’ status. End users can more quickly resolve an emergency wirelessly, instead of manually. 6) Seek SCADA System Flexibility Advanced flexibility of radio communications offers benefits to new SCADA system deployments and upgrades performance of existing SCADA systems. For example, in water/wastewater industrial applications, there need to be generation/distribution, lift stations, system monitoring, and treatment facility systems in place (or planned) to meet the expanding growth of a community’s population and/or service areas to meet future requirements. Each year, many industries deploy more frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) SCADA solutions to help monitor and manage critical infrastructure. Several manufacturers (including FreeWave Technologies) offer FHSS radios capable of retrieving data from remote locations. And although wireless IO (input/output) has been available, only recently have both capabilities been offered in one communication solution. 7) Seek Easy-to-Use SCADA Software OEMs implementing and using a SCADA network systems for data communications want a simplified, rapid setup and easy management of a network. That includes ability to manage multiple frequencies and multiple networks within one system. A centralized storage and management center provides easy access to system configuration and diagnostics data. Technicians in remote or harsh weather environments need robust reporting capabilities. Software like FreeWave’s ToolSuite can manage data communication diagnostics and configuration.
Diving Deep Into the Internet of Underwater Things
Much has been said and done regarding the Internet of Things (IoT) across the terrestrial and aerial environments – just look at the proliferation of robotics, drones and unmanned vehicles being used across the globe. But, what about our submarine world? Does the IoT only apply to systems above water?This week we are going to take a “deep dive” into the life aquatic and see what forms the IoT is taking underwater. As many scientists and researchers continue to demonstrate, there is much to be learned about life underwater, especially when it comes to the largest bodies of water on the planet – the seas and oceans. The development of an Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT) would certainly help make the discovery, recording and transmission of information a lot easier, especially if it would in turn be limiting the manual intervention of humans. Collecting and transmitting data throughout large bodies of water could enable a system of roaming, autonomous vehicles and underwater sensors, all communicating with each other and relaying information to networks above the surface. This could be used for a wide range of underwater tasks, from pipeline repairs and crash site surveys to seismic and ecological monitoring applications. As Richard Mills, director of sales at Norwegian AUV and marine robot developer Kongsberg Maritime, states in an interview with NauticExpo e-magazine, “there are an incredible number of possibilities for IoUT and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). The technology has finite bounds, but new applications are only limited by our imagination.” Underwater Apps Bound by Tech Limits Before the IoUT can become a practical endeavor, engineers, scientists and researchers still have plenty of work to do to make it a reality. One of the biggest challenges surrounding the IoUT is the fact that underwater data communications are somewhat limited and unconventional as compared to the systems that work above water. The science behind underwater communications requires different thinking and technology requirements – for example, the electromagnetic waves used by conventional WiFi networks only travel a few centimeters in water. Furthermore, background noise from marine life and anthropogenic activity can also lead to signal interference. Also, the cost of implementing remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) comes at a significant cost as compared to autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), which looks to be the replacement in the near future. An AUV’s ability to function without manual human intervention is already a huge advantage and the cost of deploying an AUV is significantly lower than that of an ROV, while their autonomous nature minimizes the human effort needed during missions. As the IoUT develops, it will facilitate new ways for AUVs to interact with the subsea environment. Such vehicles increasingly will be used to harvest data from instruments on the seabed for scientific monitoring and surveying oilfield infrastructure, for example. With better submarine communications, the use of AUVs is already diversifying. There is an increasing number of deep-water and under-ice research projects, and new applications in defense and shallow-water seabed imagery rising to the surface. At FreeWave, we’ll be keeping a close eye on these developments as the possibilities for underwater IoT applications abound.
Industrially Hardened Time Keeping
Today, a wide variety of industries with outdoor OT assets require technology that can connect the assets to a modern communication network. Depending on the application, the solution is not always as simple as slapping on a cellular or standard WiFi solution. For one, many industries have assets located in remote locations where cellular coverage is limited and long range communication is required. The OT network must also be highly secure and have the ability to avoid interference. Additionally, any outdoor communication network is subject to weather and natural elements. The best hope for maintaining reliable, secure, real-time connectivity is with a solution that is ruggedized, industrially hardened and proven to work in the most extreme environments. Recently we talked about wireless communication solutions used in Antarctica, that are performing under some of the most extreme conditions in the planet. These Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS)-based technologies are built to last and perform with a secure connection. Did you know that the same solutions have also made their way into the sport of boat racing? When November rolls around each year, rowing enthusiasts gather in Chatanooga, Tenn. For the Head of the Hooch race. A total length of 5,000 meters, it is one of the largest and fastest growing regattas in the U.S. Each year more than 2,000 boats race over the course of two days. Participants come in from all over the U.S. and the event has hosted international teams from Canada, Germany, Sweden and Australia. Real-Time Accuracy The race is organized by the Atlanta Rowing Club. In the early days, organizers relied upon stopwatches for keeping time. As the race grew and more boats participated, the manual method of time keeping was no longer feasible. Organizers needed a time keeping solution with a link strong enough to deliver race results in real-time in any weather condition. Organizers selected an industrially hardened wireless communication solution and used it in conjunction with a timing system built for downhill skiing races. The system offers precise timing accuracy – down to 1/10th second for each boat. The wireless solution uses FHSS technology that is typically used in utility-scale Industrial IoT (IIoT) applications. These types of solutions have been used for monitoring and control of outdoor assets in the utility industries for decades and have proven to ensure accurate, real-time connectivity in harsh, remote locations. Not only is the “hopping” nature of FHSS inherently secure, but there are solutions with AES-encryption and other advanced security features to further secure the network. The solutions also offer a range of 60 miles Line-of-Site (LOS), and have proven to be ideal for the Head of the Hooch race. Over the years, races have been conducted in cold, rainy, cloudy and/or windy weather, and the solution has reliably performed in all whether conditions present during the race. Rugged, industrially hardened communication solutions that are well known in the oil/gas and utilities markets – aren’t always the initial choice for connecting non-industrial outdoor networks. In some cases, decision makers in these markets may simply be unfamiliar with the benefits of FHSS. What they need to know is that FHSS solutions have been trusted for years to provide long-range, real-time connectivity, and they are often ideal for a variety of use cases outside of industrial markets. Read the full Head of the Hooch case study here: https://www.freewave.com/case-studies/head-of-the-hooch/
IIoT Top News — Security Remains Top of Mind
Cybersecurity has been top of mind for industry experts and consumers alike. The WannaCry ransomware is putting a legitimate scare into affected companies, although many are apparently preparing to call the hackers’ bluff. Yesterday, another cyberattack was announced as well, and it has the potential to be far more lucrative for the developers. The common denominator between the two? A leaked exploit developed by the NSA that leverages a Windows file-sharing protocol. These attacks are indicative of the long-term game of cat and mouse that the government and private enterprise faces for the foreseeable future of security and counterintelligence. Moving forward, the growing network of connected devices for the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) faces similar security threats. This week, we found several stories demonstrating some of the solutions surrounding those potential security issues. The 9 Best Practices for IIoT from a Dell Security Expert At a recent presentation for 2017 Dell EMC World Conference, Rohan Kotian, Dell EMC’s senior product manager for IoT security, spoke about his nine best practices for improved IIoT security. His number one strategy? Simply understanding the concerns. Many IoT devices come out of the box with few security controls in place, and understanding the risk is the most important step in addressing them. In this article from Tech Republic, you can read Mr. Kotian’s other nine best practices, including studying the attack trends, classifying risk, and leveraging fog computing. IIoT Market Expected to Approach One Trillion Dollars by 2025 Grand View Research writes that the industrial Internet of Things will experience explosive growth over the next decade, going from a $109 billion industry in 2016 to an expected $933.62 billion by 2025. The massive market increase will be driven by a number of factors, one of which continued investment by government agencies and corporate leaders. As the report states, “The role of the Internet of Things (IoT) is increasingly becoming more prominent in enabling easy access to devices and machines. Government-sponsored initiatives and innovative efforts made by key companies, such as Huawei, GE, and Cisco, are anticipated to enhance the adoption of IIoT worldwide over the forecast period.” IIoT Presents Unique Security Challenges Security is always a top priority in the Internet of Things, but IIoT applications present unique challenges. In this article from CSO Online, Phil Neray, CyberX’s vice president of industrial cybersecurity, writes that despite the growth of IoT applications in oil, gas, electric, and pharmaceuticals, “The fact is that all of these devices were designed a long time ago.” That means IIoT innovators have the challenge of integrating the newest technology into systems that may be decades old. This sort of retrofitting can make security a real challenge and there are few experts available who have both the knowledge of legacy systems and the latest IIoT solutions. Sprint to Deploy LTW Cat 1 by End Of July The Internet of Things relies heavily on low-power communication protocols to perform, so a recent announcement on FierceWireless.com that Sprint will be releasing LTE Cat 1 by the end of July is music to IoT developer’s ears. LTE Cat 1 is designed to support low-power applications on the Sprint network such as vehicle telematics and industrial IoT applications. “As one of the leading enablers and solution providers of the internet of things, Ericsson believes in its power to transform industries and capture new growth,” said Glenn Laxdal, head of Network Products for Ericsson North America. “Ericsson looks forward to partnering with Sprint to deploy Cat M1 next year and bring the transformative power of IoT to the Sprint Nationwide network.” The announcement also noted that Cat M would be following in mid-2018. TE Cat M1 and LTE Cat NB1 will support other applications requiring ultralow-throughput and power consumption.
Do You Speak the Languages of Industrial IoT?
There is an ongoing transition from a world where having an internet connection was sufficient, to a world where ubiquitous connectivity is quickly becoming the norm. The ability to gather and transport data at high speeds from anywhere is leading to increased automation, smart-everything (vehicles, homes, appliances – you name it), and a standardization of languages and protocols that make the possibilities nearly endless. Recently, IEEE and Eclipse Foundation completed surveys that provided a snapshot on tools, platforms and solutions being used by engineers and programmers alike to build the Internet of Things. According to Joe McKendrick for RTInsights.com, there were several notable conclusions to be drawn from the results, including the revelation that, of the 713 tech professionals surveyed, nearly 42 percent said their companies currently deploy an IoT solution, and 32 percent said they will be deploying/working with an IoT solution over the next 18 months. Additionally, RT Insights writes: “In terms of areas of concentration, 42% report they are working with IoT-ready middleware, while 41% are concentrating on home automation solutions. Another 36% are working with industrial automation as part of their IoT efforts. One-third are working on IoT for smart cities, and the same number are building smart energy solutions.” An interesting note from those conclusions is that 36 percent are working with industrial automation as part of their IoT efforts. Earlier this year, we predicted that Industrial IoT (IIoT) app development would outpace consumer IoT apps, and although this sample size is somewhat limited, it still bodes well for the development of the IIoT sector that is just starting to come into its own. Among IoT developers, there has been a bit of debate over the programming languages that best suit IoT apps. There are situationally appropriate uses for the main languages, but currently, the majority of developers prefer Java and the C language. For developers, being able to build out IoT apps that can work across platforms is a giant step toward standardization. Specifically, in the Industrial IoT, being able to build apps that can function at the Edge to enable smart data collection is a becoming an unofficial mandate for any companies hoping to transition legacy OT operations into the IT/OT convergence movement taking place across critical industries. Of course, building apps is a meaningless task if the hardware being deployed can’t host those apps, a finding that was demonstrated by the survey: Hardware associated with IoT implementations include sensors, used at 87% of sites, along with actuators (51%), gateways and hub devices (50%), and edge node devices (36%). This Edge functionality and sensor deployment are two pieces that are driving the adaption of IoT technology across industries that have traditionally relied on data as the main tool for decision making. However, with smarter hardware, these industries now have the opportunity to improve the efficiency of that decision making – a transformative capability in the industrial realm. Join FreeWave’s ZumLink IPR Pilot Program! What if you could….. Collect, analyze and react to data in real-time at the sensor edge? Reduce BIG DATA that clogs data pipelines? Minimize the cost of expensive PLCs? Control your sensor at the closest touchpoint? The ZumLink IPR App Server Radio combines 900 MHz wireless telemetry with the ability to program and host 3rd party Apps for intelligent control and automation of remote sensors and devices. To participate in the pilot program, visit: https://www.freewave.com/zumlink-ipr-pilot-program/. Pilot Program participants: Receive a complimentary hardware/software Dev Kit Get support from FreeWave software engineers Should have App developer’s skills Let’s discuss: Use cases that would help you or your organization solve a problem Problems you would like to solve Developers that could build this App
FreeWave at AUVSI Xponential – Booth #3142
AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2017 is just around the corner and we couldn’t be more excited! Unmanned systems from some of the industry’s leading technology providers will be on display, and we’re looking forward to putting our embedded systems solutions out there as well (booth #3142). It’s a potentially transformative time for the unmanned systems industry. As military spending budgets increase, along with the adoption of unmanned systems for air, land and water, manufacturers and operators will need rugged, reliable and secure C2 solutions with high-speed data transmission. Reliability and security are two extremely critical factors in the ongoing development of unmanned systems solutions, especially for commercial deployments. For years, the government and defense industry has been on the forefront of secure unmanned systems, but as the commercial sector begins to utilize unmanned technology, the ability to ensure secure command and control can be the difference between reliable industry operations and serious injury. Clearly, security considerations for unmanned systems are going to be an ongoing hot topic at XPONENTIAL and into the future. We have spent the past 20 years supplying secure, rugged and reliable embedded solutions for government and defense, precision agriculture and beyond, and as a result, we hold a firm belief that the unmanned systems solutions providers for the next generation need to be hyper-vigilant with regard to the industry. With that in mind, we will be offering demonstrations of our latest C2 solutions for unmanned systems at XPONENTIAL this year. Booth attendees will get a first-hand look at our solutions, offered in a small form factor ideal for drones and robotics that have logged more than 2.5 million flight hours without a single link failure (https://www.freewave.com/unmanned-systems-drones-robots/).
Busting the Myths About FHSS for Industrial IoT
IT/OT convergence has shaken the way businesses operate from a networking, connectivity and communications perspective. As IT decision makers look to find technology that will support the needs of modern digital networks, it is easy to overlook Radio Frequency (RF) solutions. Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) technology is a viable option that has been around for decades. With the right solution in place, FHSS technology is reliable and robust enough to get important data from the field back to the central office. With newer, high-speed and high-throughput options, it can be ideal for helping solve modern convergence challenges. FHSS technology is well-known for its use in OT networks in industrial settings, but the IT side might not be as familiar with the technology. There are a number of myths about FHSS technology that need to be clarified in order for an IT decision maker to understand its potential. Today we’re going to bust three big myths: Myth One: FHSS Technology is Not Secure Enough for Modern IIoT Networks 900 MHz FHSS technology leverages an unlicensed spectrum which has led to the misperception that it is vulnerable to jamming and DoS attacks. The reality is that the signal is constantly hopping in the spectrum and does not stay on a single frequency for long. This one of its greatest strengths and makes it much more difficult to jam. IT decision makers who are greatly concerned with security should also know that some manufacturers offer two layers of security. The first is the natural built-in protection from the frequency hopping and the second is 128 or 256 bit AES encryption. Myth Two: Crowded Spectrums Lead to Poor Coverage Network congestion is a long-standing misperception associated with FHSS technology. Operators are often concerned that performance could be affected in an unlicensed spectrum if too many devices are trying to use it at once. However, the frequency hopping nature of the technology actually serves as a strength. The jumping allows the technology to identify the better channels, even in areas that are known for being noisy and congested. FHSS technology has been proven and trusted by the U.S. military for decades to perform in situations where lives are on the line. Myth Three: FHSS Technology is Best Suited for Industrial Environments Like Oil and Gas In oil and gas and military circles, FHSS is frequently used and widely known as a strong wireless communication option. However, the technology may not even be on the radar of an IT decision maker tasked with new responsibilities as the OT/IT divide closes. What IT decision makers need to know is that FHSS technology is also currently used in networks completely outside the scope of traditional industrial networking. Here are a handful of unique ways FHSS is currently being used: Oceanic Monitoring and mapping Auto and Boat Racing Testing for Electric Cars Plant Automation Asset Tracking in Healthcare Golf Course Communications and Golf Cart Monitoring Aquarium research A Good Fit FHSS technology fits nicely into the evolving technology landscape – especially when data needs to be transported from the access layer back to the business office. Despite the challenges that OT and IT teams face as they learn to work closer together, FHSS remains a proven, reliable option to help bridge the gap.
What’s New in IIoT
Industrial IoT (IIoT) is making waves as we inch closer to the end of the first quarter of 2017. Recently, Network World and Forbes, published articles exploring the proliferation of Smart Sensors deployed for Edge networks. We are starting to see more coverage addressing the big challenges of IIoT, as well as the big opportunities. Other, IIoT-focused publications continue to highlight the latest mega-trends and research from leaders in the IIoT trenches. Recent IIoT Headlines Four Artificial Intelligence Challenges Facing the Industrial IoT By @AAllsbrook | Published on @Forbes “Companies building IoT devices are solving this challenge by using gateways, also known as edge-based processing, to connect to cloud-based IoT platforms. This enables the machines to get data to the internet. However, connecting devices isn’t as easy as updating software; instead, it’s an investment in retrofitting old machines, replacing existing equipment, and enabling a workforce to leverage this equipment.” 5 Things to Think about for Industrial IoT Readiness By @ryan4francis | Published on @NetworkWorld “In order to achieve the full potential of the IIoT, the gap between these two cultures needs to be bridged so that the competing priorities of IT and OT are met. We’re beginning to see the emergence of “industrial technologists,” who bring a combined IT/OT perspective to the enterprise. These “industrial technologists” understand that for IIoT to be a reality, “always on” availability needs must be met. Because they live in both worlds, they play a key role in meeting both OT and IT priorities.” 3 Keys to Financial Success in the Industrial Internet of Things By @Scott_Nelson19 | Published on @CIOonline “One of the most frequent misperceptions about the IIoT is that it is all about the machines. Traditionally automation saves cost by reducing the number of people required to operate the line. The machines are important, but today operational improvement, particularly of legacy systems, comes from leveraging and facilitating human knowledge and action.” IoT Edge Shifts Data Gravity in the Enterprise By @AAllsbrook | Published on @iotagenda “But the internet of things is changing this gravitational constant in our technical universe. As IoT matures, the black holes of data gravity we have been placing into clouds will be ripped apart by millions of smaller data planets. These smaller planets will be located in our factories, warehouses, buildings, homes and everywhere else IoT runs to make data actionable.” Smart Grid: Overcoming Data Exchange to Increase Efficiency By @S_Allen_IIoT | Published on @SmartDataCo “As sensors bring connectivity to more endpoints than ever before, utility decision makers are able to obtain detailed data for Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and Distribution Automation (DA) networks. With rugged wireless solutions, the sensor data is readily available in real-time for IT decision makers. The unrestricted access to data from all network endpoints forces decision makers to shift their focus from Big Data to Smart Data – the data that matters most to the business. It also drives the need for real-time analytics in order to streamline operations. This not only simplifies the convergence issue, but it drives Smart Grid efficiency.”
Smart Grid: Overcoming the Challenges to Increase Efficiency
Recent research estimates that the Smart Grid will be a $120 Billion industry by 2020. As Industrial IoT (IIoT) drives digital transformation for utilities, there are a fair share of challenges and opportunities facing the Smart Grid industry today. To keep up with rapid growth and new technology that is shaping the utility markets in particular, Smart Grid decision makers must continue to improve efficiency. This allows the organization to leverage better data and make smart business decisions that align with an increasingly connected infrastructure. The Convergence Challenge In utilities markets, the IT/OT divide is rapidly shrinking, revealing significant challenges between the two groups. OT and IT each come to the convergence line with functional and operational differences, yet the changing technology landscape makes it impossible to avoid the inevitable meshing of the two formerly disparate organizations. As Smart Grid decision makers adjust to this shift, strong communication between teams will be essential – as well as careful selection of technology. For example, if utilities can work to integrate their legacy systems on the OT side with the more modern IT systems through a carefully selected communication solution, the Smart Grid will become more efficient, leading to better business decisions, as well as improved system operations and overall visibility. Going Digital IT/OT convergence, coupled with the new digital landscape has also driven Smart Grid organizations to reorganize under IT and address new technology challenges from a jobs perspective. Utilities are facing an ageing, traditional workforce on the OT side coming head-to-head with a new digital-centric workforce on the IT side. For Smart Grid organizations, it is essential to find the balance between hiring new technology savvy talent and nurturing existing staff. IoT will continue to drive automation, as Smart Grid decision makers either upgrade their legacy systems or figure out how to connect existing ones. We may see an increase in privately funded secondary education programs designed to create a more skilled workforce. If decision makers embrace the inevitable shift to digital, they will not only see the impact on efficiency, but they will stay competitive in an IoT driven market. Smart Sensor Boom IoT sparked a digital technology shift that resulted in the proliferation of Smart Sensors. Now utilities are able to monitor and transfer critical data from any asset – from the network Edge back to the central office. The demand for sensors hasn’t slowed – research is pointing towards continued and substantial growth in the Smart Sensor market between now and 2021. As sensors bring connectivity to more endpoints than ever before, utility decision makers are able to obtain detailed data for Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and Distribution Automation (DA) networks. With rugged wireless solutions, the sensor data is readily available in real-time for IT decision makers. The unrestricted access to data from all network endpoints forces decision makers to shift their focus from Big Data to Smart Data – the data that matters most to the business. It also drives the need for real-time analytics in order to streamline operations. This not only simplifies the convergence issue, but it drives Smart Grid efficiency. There are many factors contributing to the efficiency of the Smart Grid. While some initially present themselves as challenges, increasing connectivity and digital transformation give decision makers better data, connect more field assets and enable more opportunities to benefit the business.