As a subject of geopolitical threats, the European energy sector is undergoing significant transformation, diversification and digitalisation. The energy sector, covering extraction, production and distribution, directly employs in the EU about 1.6 million people and generates an added €250 billion to the economy, corresponding to 4% of the value added of the non-financial EU business economy.
The industry is transforming rapidly, coping with energy insecurity and a need to decarbonise. It is also a geographically dispersed industry with many remote assets (offshore oil platforms, wind farms, pipelines, extensive powerlines). The industry is ambitiously adopting automation and remote management using IoT. Its strategic nature, rapid transformation and distributed assets make it a strong sector in the context of CEI.
Spotlight use case categories
Smart Grid
The smart grid enables utilities to optimise power flow, incorporate renewables, and reduce carbon emissions. It relies on smart metering and distributed sensors, requiring centralised computing resources.
Drone-Based Observation
Drone-based observation allows visual inspection of remote infrastructure locations, reducing maintenance costs and increasing resilience. Drones may require good network connectivity and onboard computing for navigation and imagery analysis.
Employee Safety Monitoring
Employee safety monitoring enhances safety in hazardous industries and is the most-used use case. It involves monitoring employee conditions, adherence to safety procedures, and sending automatic alerts during emergencies. The architecture includes centralised monitoring, local sensors, edge gateways, and real-time analytics.
