Power and Energy

The convergence of automation and security stands as a cornerstone in the evolution of digital substations, which has enhanced efficiency, reliability, and performance. However, the proliferation of digital solutions also introduces new challenges, particularly in ensuring the robust security of critical infrastructure.

 

 

Electrical power consumption continues to grow at a rapid pace globally, and therefore it is essential to efficiently manage power distribution to ensure reliability and reach. The development of remote substation control and automation has become fundamental to the operation of the electricity network.  

OT and IT networks operate in different environments, serve different purposes, and have different objectives and risks. IT systems primarily involves storage, retrieval, and transmission of digital information, thus will prioritize protecting data and confidentiality. An OT system will prioritize the safety and availability of equipment and processes.

For aging power utility to transform and develop into a modern substation automation system with smart grid technologies, the need for rugged computing platforms with faster processors and reliable storage capacity is essential. The many applications found in a digital substation, including intelligent human-machine interfaces (HMIs) for communication and operator terminals, and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems require high performance hardware to ensure safe operation.

Natural gas infrastructure is composed of million miles of pipelines used to gather, transport and distribute natural gas, and oil from producing basins to end-use consumers. Pipeline infrastructure is one of the safest ways of transporting materials compared to road or rail. It is an extremely important enabler of economic and national security for a country.

Previously, OT (Operational Technology) and IT (Information Technology) though related were separate environments where OT industrial automation and control systems and IT enterprise digital networks were not connected. With the advent of IoT, it has become an agent for the integration of OT and IT.

As we evolve into the era of 5G, the benefits 5G deployment are inevitably on the tops of everyone’s mind.  But one often overlooked topic that should not be ignored as we look into this exciting future is the role of cybersecurity. This is especially true for critical infrastructures, such as electricity generation. With grid modernization picking up speed around the world, utility service providers need to also bear in mind the evolving cybersecurity threats that come with modernization, and many already are. However, a significant challenge during the modernization of cybersecurity capabilities is identifying and utilizing IT technologies that can work in harmony with operational technologies. Modernization and interconnection are crucial to having robust security without compromising their services, which typically rely on assets not designed with 5G and modern technologies in mind.

Like most people in the developed world, you probably take access to clean water for granted.  Whether in the bathroom flushing the toilet, in the kitchen washing vegetables, or outside watering your lawn, clean water is always just a faucet away. What's more, people also take for granted a clean living environment free from human waste and the nasty diseases that come with it. Unless you have watched a documentary film about wastewater treatment, you've likely had never given it a second thought on where your waste goes and where your clean water comes from. The fact of the matter is that wastewater treatment is a comprehensive and time-consuming process that requires constant vigilance and a vast network of pipes. Given its complexity, even the tiniest malfunctions, such as a leaky pipe, can cause massive disruptions to the entire process and negatively affect customers and the environment. Luckily, in the twenty-first century, we benefit from technology to help us manage the complexities of wastewater treatment and water distribution; among them are computer-based remote monitoring solutions.

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