Issue link: https://fhpublishing.uberflip.com/i/988286
NETWORK / 21 / JUNE 2018 Q: In what ways do you see digitalisation and IoT changing the way networks are managed? A: One example that we're looking at from a strategic point of view is electricity network operators. They've got a very good under- standing of the operations, planning and visualisations of their high voltage networks using Scada systems. But when you look at the lower voltage, there are problems understanding what's going on across the network. Fault • nding and identifying issues on the network can be di• cult and this is being compounded by the massive uptake of electric vehicles, for example. By going out there with connectable, commu- nicable devices and putting those into local units, you can start providing the data and visibility of what is happening across the network. But the IoT capability also means you could work out what electric vehicles are doing, and the required electricity de- mand, but it takes it further by allowing the network operator to look at the demands MindSphere also opens up many new and di‚ erent possible applications and feeds back to Siemens' corporate technology team, which is e‚ ectively the research and development part of Siemens. For example, MindSphere is linking into current research into the real-life application of battery sys- tems and what that enables. As part of our Connected Batteries MAC (MindSphere Ap- pilcation Center) research project (siemens. co.uk/connectedbatteries) we're keen to hear from people in the market who operate battery systems so we can further look at the possibilities of what connecting batter- ies can do and how this can release value. Q: What di erentiates Siemens' o ering from other platforms on the market? A: If we look at network operators, they don't compete against each other but oper- ate within di‚ erent territories with similar challenges. MindSphere gives us a platform to provide insight into the good things that individual network operators do, as well as addressing the common challenges found in running networks. The platform provides an avenue to break barriers to data shar- ing across the industry, while increasing knowledge exchange and best practice across di‚ erent network topologies and areas. In addition, it provides a knowledge hub where apps and solutions can be devel- oped that are common to everyone and their operations. on the network. It's all about moving away from reactive processes, to a more predictive response of the whole network. Q: Finally, what steps has Siemens taken to ensure the platform is secure and not easily susceptible to security breaches? A: Security is key. MindSphere has been fully certi• ed and developed on OPC UA, which is very secure in terms of encryption, authenti- cation and access control. Everything between the cloud and the device connected to MindSphere is secure. However, it is vital that operators have a clear strategy in place for how their data will be taken up and published to ensure they are not opening the system up to any weaknesses. Using digital technologies to transform business operations is key for the UK to upscale competitiveness, improve national productivity and take advantage of the commercial opportunities o‚ ered by an increasingly digitalised industry. Find out more about MindSphere at www.siemens. com/mindsphere.