telecommunications

Energy utilities are increasingly focused on establishing solutions to support enhanced flexibility in service provision whilst at the same time managing a much more dynamic environment of energy supply and demand. Critical to managing this new regime in a cost efficient and resilient manner is the ability to have visibility and control over an increasingly diverse and disparate range of network assets. For many years, utilities – gas, water and electricity – have used operational communications systems to facilitate active management of assets. However, with the need for enhanced visibility and control across and through the network it is anticipated that there will need to be a profound expansion in the industry’s operational communications capability with some operators already exploring possible solutions. The need for such expanded communication systems with enhanced functionality will result in increased complexity in terms of network design and co-ordination with new technologies being deployed.