Energy Optimisation with Teltonika Networks Ethernet Switches
#2024, #switches, #energy
The process of shifting energy generation to renewable sources, such as solar power, is underway, though it necessitates the integration of IoT and network connectivity. Teltonika Networks Ethernet switches can be your best decision when it comes to Internet distribution to the endpoints of your solution, but this begs the question: should you opt for unmanaged or managed switches?
The global energy crisis has reached its all-time high. With figures of increased prices, unpredictable weather conditions, and political divisions escalating exponentially since 2021, every energy company reliant on oil, gas, or coal for power generation faces a critical question: what should it do?
THE UNIVERSAL CHALLENGE THAT ENERGY COMPANIES FACE
Although nuances and exceptions exist within the energy sector, the vast majority of companies involved face similar significant challenges, including deteriorating infrastructure, overconsumption, and energy waste.
This is why a shift toward renewable energy sources such as solar panels is accelerating, with a focus on gaining more comprehensive control over the energy production process.
This new approach towards energy generation and management enables companies to offer a much more sustainable and effective alternative for a reliable and ongoing energy supply, taking into account individual needs and power consumption habits.
This is where the implementation of IoT is inevitable.
ENERGY SECTOR + IOT = THE INEVITABLE FUTURE
IoT solutions are known for being well thought out in order to maximise their potential across varying domains, including the energy sector. But how so?
IoT provides an array of tools and technologies that improve the ways energy companies boost their operational efficiency, reliability, and optimisation. This is particularly evident as companies shift their infrastructure from traditional fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.
However, given IoT solutions’ critical dependence on the Internet, devices that equip them with connectivity and its distribution, like Ethernet switches, are crucial to pay attention to. Otherwise, investing in unreliable devices might increase operational risks and potential energy facility downtime, jeopardising the energy infrastructure’s stability and security.
Ultimately, this oversight could result in even greater costs. Unreliable or low-quality networking devices can increase the risk of prolonged connectivity disruptions, leading to a significant loss of valuable data that is necessary for informed decision-making.
This situation results in businesses being unable to adhere to service level agreements (SLAs), as they no longer have proof of uninterrupted site operation. Consequently, these businesses may become less profitable, especially in the context of long-term contracts.
LET ETHERNET SWITCHES BE IN YOUR FAVOUR
Teltonika Networks offers an array of trustworthy routers, modems, and gateways that lead to uninterrupted network connectivity. However, our Ethernet switches deserve just as much emphasis when considering the network distribution and the scaling of IoT solutions meant to improve energy optimisation.
Teltonika Networks Ethernet switches have been designed to be affordable while delivering the highest quality made to last a long time, even in the most challenging environments.
Now, depending on your needs, you might require unmanaged or managed switches. If you’re still unsure which to choose, the Magic and Power Behind Ethernet Switches article presents which type of device might be a better fit for your solution.
But to keep it short and simple, it essentially boils down to the complexity of your network infrastructure as well as whether you need remote management and granular control.
WHERE UNMANAGED SWITCHES THRIVE
Unmanaged switches are plug-and-play and don’t require any configurations to run. In fact, their primary objective is to extend Internet support to a bigger number of devices within IoT solutions. This is why unmanaged switches, like our TSW200 and TSW210, are typically employed in simple networking environments.
The necessity for merely Internet connectivity often prevails in small-scale solar panel energy installations or off-grid solar systems, where access and control of endpoints isn’t necessary. Additionally, unmanaged switches are often the go-to option for cases when budget constraints are a significant consideration, as such switches are most commonly cheaper than managed switches.
A great example of employing an unmanaged switch in a similar environment can be seen in the Ethernet Switch for Solar Farms & Solar Energy Solutions use case.
Here, the Teltonika Networks TSW210 Ethernet switch is deployed to provide network connectivity to all solar panels while enabling the transmission of data to a remote monitoring centre. This way, the 8-port switch helps to ensure that the solar farm’s operational efficiency is maintained consistently.
WHAT ABOUT MANAGED SWITCHES?
The advantages of solar energy are evident, leading to the growing integration of complex, large-scale solar systems. And while this sounds promising, it faces greater challenges over strong network connectivity support and is more often than not in need of granular management of each component within the system’s network.
This need stems from the fact that larger solar panel farms are employed to supply energy to critical infrastructures, where an unreliable power supply and potential outages could result in significant financial losses or even pose a risk to human lives.
Therefore, in situations where operational efficiency is paramount, a network infrastructure that ensures strong connectivity and granular management is key. This is where managed switches play a significant role.
Managed 8-port switches, such as the TSW202 and TSW212, are extremely relevant in the context of large-scale renewable energy farms, offering advanced management capabilities for every system endpoint.
Such Ethernet switches enable advanced control over aspects like network segmentation and VLAN establishment. This greatly enhances how Internet support and data transmission from endpoints, like solar panels, to the network’s management control centre, is handled.
Managed switches enable you to prioritise from which endpoint you’ll be receiving information first and facilitate connectivity redundancy. This means that in the event of an accident leading to one switch’s failure, another managed switch can seamlessly take over its endpoints, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity.
In terms of managed switches for smart grid implementation, the TSW202 and TSW212 switches’ superiority becomes even more evident.
Since our managed switches support multiple industrial communication protocols, like Profinet, they can transmit granular data in real-time speeds, which are integral in enhancing the control and flexibility of grid operations and their energy production process optimisation.
READY TO TRANSITION TO RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATION?
Moving towards sustainable energy generation is in the forecast of the energy sector, but it comes with many questions and concerns. From integrating Ethernet switches in a simple, off-grid solar system control to managing large-scale solar systems or smart grids, rest assured we’re here to assist.
So, feel free to contact us and discover the most fitting connectivity device for your energy generation network infrastructure.
