Offshore wind energy networks experiencing potential shifts due to Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) innovation.
In the ever-evolving landscape of telecommunications, a new wave of innovation is transforming the way offshore wind farms operate. By integrating wireless systems alongside existing wired connections, these renewable energy powerhouses are reaping numerous benefits that enhance their flexibility, resilience, and operational efficiency.
One such technology making waves is the LoRa-based Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN), which, despite a data rate limit of 50 Kbps, significantly reduces hardware costs and facilitates low-cost data transmission. This technology, along with satellite IoT transceivers, can be utilised to create a wireless network for offshore wind farms, bridging the gap between remote locations and advanced connectivity.
3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project), a global collaboration aimed at standardising telecommunications infrastructure, has also entered the fray. Its key achievement, "Release 17" in 2021, introduced satellite connectivity into the mix, potentially lowering the cost of modems for IoT devices, making satellite connectivity more cost-effective for offshore wind farms.
Email Ground Control for expert and objective advice on the best networks and networking technology for specific applications. They specialise in designing, building, and testing satellite IoT hardware and supporting software solutions, but do not operate a satellite network themselves.
However, the path to a wireless-enabled offshore wind farm is not without challenges. Private cellular networks, while cost-effective once set up, are expensive and time-consuming to get started with. Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) NB-IoT modems are available now, but with limitations on coverage and bandwidth. Widespread adoption of standards-based modems is estimated to be in 2027 and beyond.
Innovative start-ups like Sateliot and OQ Technologies have limited satellite coverage currently, but plan to launch more satellites and build partnerships with mobile network operators. Established satellite network operators, such as Viasat and Iridium, are planning to retrofit their satellites to support the new technology and are expected to be NB-IoT compatible, but not immediately.
Proprietary systems, such as Iridium modems, retain advantages over standards-based systems for capacity and reliability, especially for critical data in real-time scenarios. A trusted IoT connectivity partner can help choose the most appropriate satellite IoT network based on data rates, criticality, security, device mobility, and location.
Integrating a wireless system alongside an existing wired connection offers several key benefits. Flexible deployment and scalability are at the forefront, as wireless systems support a range of deployment complexities, from simple installations to advanced, large-scale wind farms, complementing the modular design of existing wired infrastructure and enabling adaptation to various farm sizes.
Having both wired and wireless connections provides redundancy, which helps maintain communication and operational control during fault conditions or outages in one network type. Wireless networks enable centralised monitoring and management, increasing operational insights and allowing quicker remote diagnosis and resolution of problems, thereby reducing downtime.
Wireless solutions can be deployed in harsh offshore environments where it may be difficult or costly to extend or maintain wired connections, such as space-constrained turbine locations or areas exposed to tough environmental conditions. Wireless systems allow for faster provisioning with automation and simplified onboarding of remote networking assets, potentially reducing the need for physical cabling or complex installations.
The wireless system provides a flexible platform that can easily integrate new services, applications, or technologies without extensive rewiring, facilitating innovation and upgrades over the wind farm’s lifecycle. In summary, wireless integration complements wired systems by increasing flexibility, resiliency, operational efficiency, and scalability in offshore wind farm networks, while addressing environmental and logistical challenges of offshore deployments.
- Ground control, with their expertise in satellite IoT hardware and supporting software solutions, can assist in choosing the best networks and networking technology, including edge computing, for offshore wind farms, considering factors like data rates, criticality, security, device mobility, and location.
- Technology advancements like 3GPP's "Release 17" in 2021, which introduced satellite connectivity, can potentially lower the cost of modems for IoT devices used in offshore wind farms, making satellite connectivity more cost-effective.
- By incorporating wireless systems like LoRa-based LPWAN and satellite IoT transceivers alongside existing wired connections, offshore wind farms can boost science and technology innovation, as these systems enable quicker remote diagnosis and resolution of problems, facilitating the adoption of new applications and technologies over the wind farm's lifecycle.
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