The Benefits of Satellite Inmarsat Services in Smart Grid Applications

Satellite inmarsat services help in connecting smart grid technologies applications as well as Satellite SCADA supported networks that provide ever-present IP connectivity in utility services in an entire territory. One of the renowned global mobile commercial satellite communication network set up by Inmarsat is the award-winning Inmarsat-4 (1-4) satellites. Offering Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN), Inmarsat-4 concurrently delivers both voice and broadband data and has a gained a strong base in sectors such as oil and gas, international aid agencies, and broadcast media.

Moreover, Inmarsat introduced BGAN M2M and this is a two-way IP services for data transmission only. The BGAN M2M is ideal for low, high frequency transmissions, which are required in normal automated data reporting right from Smart Grid and Satellite SCADA application. Some of the benefits of satellite Inmarsat services are;

Smart Grids Metering
The advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) of the Smart Grids helps consumer manage their energy consumption by providing utilities based on visible demand. The meters are connected to aggregation points, which collect data from consumers in a given geographical area and transmit back to the data center of the utility in a fixed link or cellular network.

However, since cellular networks experience restricted bandwidth and are faced with congestion, coupled with their vulnerability to natural disasters, then it means that bgan inmarsat offers a better option. It is accessible in areas where cellular and fixed line coverage is not available. Therefore the BGAN is a cost effective and high quality option for backhaul usage data experienced in advanced concentrators or aggregation points and this allows utilities to reach entire networks and offer energy solutions to the entire customer base.

Automated distribution
The deployment of BGAN or BGAN M2M network connectivity infrastructure alongside power distribution lines offers a primary or secondary link to the utility’s data center. This provides monitoring and control of switches, reclosers and other devices on the distribution network, recording any voltage fluctuations, outrages and also consumer energy demand. This kind of data helps in making real-time decisions on smart grid energy based on ready hand information.

Connectivity in substations
Inmarsat offers Satellite SCADA or equivalent applications at electricity substations and these could be standalone or combined with VSAT. Such connections help reach out to the locations where it is difficult or costly to apply fixed-line and cellular communication. BGAN connectivity guarantees data streaming all the time since it can work in both low-volume/high-frequency data traffic situations or in high-volume/low frequency data streaming situations. And in addition, there is a backup communication in every substation.

Disaster recovery application
In times of disasters, the Satellite Inmarsat communication terminals are deployed quickly to offer alternative communications and this helps in diagnosing problem issues pretty fast and thus offer solutions immediately. This reliability aspect of the Inmarsat connectivity substantiates the reason why it has widely been used by organizations such as the American Red Cross and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide immediate and dependable communication for coordinating disaster relief.

Smart Grid Communications
As energy utilities seek for electricity grids that offer greater scalability and control over energy consumption; it is certain Smart Grid communication will play a big role in managing energy costs. The Smart Grid is dynamic and interactive infrastructure that offers real-time solutions in energy consumption and cost control. The Smart Grid communication helps enhance operational efficiency and extends the accessibility of network across the utility’s entire service territory.

In essence, Inmarsat BGAN and the data only BGAN M2M, which supports Satellite SCADA applications, are critical energy utility network solutions and offer real-time data, which helps in management of energy consumption as well as improves operational efficiency through workforce mobility enhancement.