Category: IT, OT & Market based solutions
Grid Requirement tackled
- SCADA and Distribution Automation network control devices are connected to central operations control via commercial 2G and 4G networks. These networks have limited capability to guarantee 24-hour network connectivity uptime, particularly in rural areas of Ireland.
- The NIS2D (Network and Information Security Directive) relates to EU-wide legislation on cybersecurity. This legislation places obligations on entities delivering critical national infrastructure to comply with stringent cybersecurity supervisory and enforcement requirements.
Approach & solution
- ESB Networks secured a regulatory spectrum licence to build, maintain and operate a utility grade private LTE network in 2019. This was one of the first licences awarded across Europe to operate an LTE network using utility grade (400-600Mhz) spectrum assignments.
- ESB Networks tendered for a partner to deliver and support a utility grade private LTE network. Sigma Wireless in partnership with Nokia were awarded a contract with ESB Networks in 2023 to supply, build, design, install commission and configure a 90 site LTE network across Ireland. A full end to end verification network was built within ESB infrastructure to test and validate SCADA and Distribution Automation test cases.
- The network will support SCADA and Distribution Automation devices, as well as commercial and industrial metering requirements. Innovative solutions to implement proactive monitoring of the LV network will also utilise the LTE network.
- As the network scales future smart grid and remote-control devices will be connected to back-end control and monitoring systems by the network. The network is scalable to 100,000 endpoints and 500 eNodeB radio baseband units.
Benefits
- Cyber secure to NIS2D standards.
- 24-hour power backup.
- “Always on” SCADA and control devices. Expanded use cases beyond SCADA to any IP Enabled use cases.
- Scalable up to 100,000 devices and 500 eNodeB radio baseband units.
- Full control and responsibility of radio network and underlying backhaul network infrastructure.
- Full control and responsibility of the entire secure network from the EPC core, transmission, RAN network and utility grade CPEs.