IoT & ICT
The Renewable Energy Systems market segment increasingly uses the possibilities of Internet of Things (IoT), because ultimately data drives the increased efficiency of the energy systems of tomorrow. These so-called smart energy systems consist of various processes intermingled with each other. Examples are smart meters, smart appliances, renewable energy resources, and energy efficient resources and efficient user interaction with the end services.
Organizations active in this smart energy and utilities industry are service providers, asset owners, integration providers, maintenance providers, R&D departments and manufacturers. They primarily focus on 3 aspects while deploying smart energy systems: distribution, production control, and electronic power conditioning. The integration of IoT with data and data processing with these aspects helps reduce costs to develop, test, and deploy the interconnected infrastructures.
Smart energy systems: benefits and threats
IoT provides opportunities to create more refined energy systems that ultimately benefit the environment and the people using it. A well-coordinated landscape of sensors, processes, data, stakeholders and actors is necessary for proper and secure functioning of smart energy systems. This means that renewable energy systems need to be addressed integrally while at the same time focusing on individual aspects. Aspects such as security, privacy protection, well-trained personnel, confidentiality, integrity, availability, secure remote access etc. are all topics which are necessary to be arranged correctly for a system to operate in such a way that it is favorable for every involved stakeholder.
Security threats to energy networks such as malware injections, denial of service, attacks on privacy, and thefts of data and energy all need to be anticipated with the required processes and mechanisms in place. Involved personnel need to have adequate training to deal with the energy systems depending on their tasks. Specific energy system components such as mechanical parts, EMC components, distribution networks, databases, generator plants etc. all need to be looked at by leading experts with the goal to tackle challenges of various degrees.
How can Kiwa help?
There are two types of approaches for IoT and ICT systems: Industrially oriented systems or Consumer oriented systems. Often systems are a combination of both. Kiwa can help approach renewable energy systems integrally while at the same time focusing and addressing every important detail. In other words, a horizontal approach as well as a vertical approach is needed.
Horizontally the chain of entities such as generators, distribution networks, data centers, the people and processes need to be addressed. While vertically Kiwa possesses in depth knowledge of specific markets that are paramount to renewable energy systems. Some examples of Kiwa’s expertise are distribution and storage of energy, appliances such as heat pumps and HVAC systems and gas distribution networks. Kiwa also has a full fletched scheme (Kiwa RARS) which certifies secure remote access of systems, which is an important aspect of smart energy systems.
Addressing a complex and multi-layered landscape/chain of interactions, processes and technologies requires multiple types of skills, types of expertise and methods which need to be well coordinated depending on the goal. At Kiwa we have all the necessary types of expertise under one roof because of our involvement in a variety of global industries. We are deeply involved in various market segments of the energy industry and has the experts available in every field. Naturally, we are your partner in tackling challenges in complex chains that make up renewable energy systems. From more abstract to very specific expertise in the energy sector, we have it all under one roof.
