01/25/2022 | News release | Distributed by Public on 01/25/2022 11:09
In substations, it's increasingly difficult to meet today's needs with yesterday's networks.
Maintaining the critical balance between electricity generation and consumption is more challenging than ever as renewable energy sources and electrification continue to evolve. Among the many challenges substation network operators are facing in the operational landscape is the increasing complexity of balancing the wide array of new power generation assets (such as solar and wind), with an equally complex consumption model (such as increase in electric vehicle transportation). This real-time balancing act drives operators into connecting more systems requiring higher speeds with lower latency in a confined operational footprint.
As the utility grid becomes more automated and subsequently digitized, the reliance on the supporting digital network infrastructure becomes even more critical to the reliability and efficiency of the grid itself. This increase in grid digitization also increases the cyber security threat surface. Regulators and utilities strive for an ever-increasing security posture as traditional substation security approaches come up short due to lack of visibility and centralized security policy enforcement.
Finally, with this expansion of connected devices in the substation and the constant drive for operational efficiency, utilities are challenged on how to most efficiently manage and operate these new networks while insuring the highest reliability.
To solve these challenges, utilities are working toward full-scale grid modernization - including substation automation. So it's no longer a matter of if but when and how they will upgrade.
Based on more than a decade of collaboration with the utility industry, we have developed solutions to digitize and automate substations. On January 20 we announced the Cisco Catalyst IE9300 Rugged Series Switch, a high-density fiber port switch, specifically designed for the performance challenges of a substation LAN architecture with a small footprint and ruggedized form factor. It's part of a new way to approach substation automation and management, and together with the recently released Catalyst IR8300 Rugged Series Router, the Catalyst IE9300 provides a validated architecture that unifies the substation LAN and WAN - adding the performance, security, scale and management required for the modernization of the grid.
Designed for grid modernization and substation automation, the Catalyst IE9300 Rugged Series Switch addresses five critical capabilities:
As utilities advance toward grid modernization, the Catalyst IE9300 Rugged Series offers an elegant solution - consolidating OT and IT networks and automating substations.
Utilities can improve operations, deliver higher reliability and greater efficiencies at scale - all while reducing risk.
Learn more about the Catalyst IE9300 Rugged Series Switch and how it and the Catalyst IR8300 Rugged Series Router take Substation Automation to the next level in our webinar on January 27.
Cisco Catalyst IE9300 Series Rugged Switch
Subscribe to our newsletter to keep up with the latest Internet of Things trends and insights to help you succeed with your IoT deployments.
Share: