Panasonic Powering Digitisation in Utilities
TOUGHBOOK rugged devices are just one of many interconnected Panasonic technologies, showcased at Enlit Europe 2024, that are helping mobile workers to realise value from the surge of big data that is accompanying the digitisation of utilities.
written by: Nick Miller, Vertical Strategy Manager at Panasonic Connect Europe
Several key factors such as compliance with government-mandated smart meter regulations, the accuracy and efficiency of energy measurements, and the secure distribution of gas and hydrogen, are keeping utilities decision makers busy as they strive to digitise a typically legacy-based industry.
This is in addition to utilities workers taking on additional IT responsibilities in the field – with the access to big data and its application within utilities central to accelerating digital transformation efforts.
This is where Panasonic Industry’s range of solutions, exhibited at Enlit Europe 2024 next week, will demonstrate how it can help utilities companies to digitise each stage of energy distribution and management, through its next-generation of end-to-end 360° smart gas meter technologies and services.
Panasonic Helping to Drive Transformational Change
Panasonic is helping to revolutionise the measurement of gas in the smart meter era, from the deployment of devices in the field that can collect and analyse data in real-time, to network management and billing. Through Panasonic’s service platform, that can gather data from a network of gas meters, utility customers can use data insights to make better-informed decisions.
At the heart of its platform is the next generation of gas meters, called NexMeter, manufactured for leading Italian public utilities company, Hera Group. Hera Group has invested in not only a new piece of technology, but a revolutionary concept that has transformed utilities through data, in a typically conservative and cautious industry.
Featuring sensors that monitor connectivity, battery status, pressure and leak status, and valve status, the NexMeter enables gas utilities to monitor key information from its gas infrastructure network. This increases predictive maintenance capabilities, with data enabling utilities to instantly spot anomalies in gas pressure and flow rates – and to detect potential leaks.
The NexMeter also features ultrasonic technology. Panasonic, using its unique knowledge of earthquake activity in the seismic hotspots of Japan and Italy, has designed the meter to enable utility providers to intercept any earthquake shock in real time and suspend the gas supply by closing the valve. This increases public safety by vastly reducing the risk of accidents.
Panasonic’s ultrasound technology also allows utility providers to measure a gas’ composition and calorific value. In the future, this will enable gas to be measured by the energy it delivers, instead of its volume. This has the potential to revolutionise how gas is delivered and financed.
Regulation driving innovation
Smart meters produced by Panasonic are connected to back-office systems through Panasonic’s wireless connectivity solutions, using an eSIM that enables NB-IoT connectivity, ensuring that the meter is always connected to the strongest network. It is also powered by Panasonic’s first ever 3,5Ah lithium CR-LAS battery – also on display at Enlit Europe – which provides the desired longevity required to comply with Italian law.
This law mandates that smart gas meters need to be in the field for at least 15 years. Depending on the user profile selected by the utility, the battery needs to provide enough power to operate all components, including sending data from the meter at the edge back to primary servers, at any frequency between at least once a day and in real-time, and the opening and closing of the valve.
Continuous innovation for the future
Within any industry that prioritises data-driven digitisation, speed of innovation is crucial. Panasonic Industry has positioned itself as a pioneer in utilities, engineering its services-based solutions to exceed what is required in today’s regulatory landscape in Europe – and to be ready for a more sustainable and safer future. This is achieved through developing new technologies that will help utility providers to seamlessly transition to hydrogen or biogas-based energy sources.
The TOUGHBOOK Difference
Notwithstanding the digital transformation surge within utilities, legacy technology is still prevalent. From pipeline equipment and serial points, to metering technology and how employees communicate, legacy equipment abounds. Furthermore, connectivity is also a challenge, rendering it difficult for mobile workers to access and analyse data at-source, in the field. This undermines the productivity and efficiency gains that utilities workers can hope to realise through big data.
Panasonic TOUGHBOOK rugged devices are the enabler for realising this value. They provide the perfect blend of performance, battery life, connectivity, reliability, ruggedness and usability, in the most challenging conditions, for mobile utilities workers in the field.
The latest TOUGHBOOK devices even feature Intel® AI technology, allowing mobile utilities workers to collect, store and analyse data on the go. By harnessing AI directly on the device, mobile workers can access data faster, helping to increase productivity and efficiency. This leads to better response times; quicker first-time fixes; higher repair quality; and overall superior service for the end user.
Panasonic’s range of solutions for the utilities industry will be located at Booth A60 in Hall 6 at Enlit Europe.
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