19th December 2024
Is this the end for cloud computing? While cloud computing has been revolutionary, its drawbacks such as latency, bandwidth limitations and security issues are pushing businesses towards edge computing. Predicted to reach $232 billion in global spending this year, edge computing processes data locally, reducing delays, bandwidth use and costs while enhancing reliability and security. However, it presents its own challenges, such as device compatibility and complex management. Here, Etienne Clauw, Associate Product Line Manager at Ovarro, discusses how Remote Telemetry Units (RTUs) can maximise the benefits of edge computing.
Despite the early enthusiasm for cloud computing, exemplified by Steve Jobs in 1997, it faces significant limitations. Jobs famously stated, “I don’t need a hard disk in my computer if I can get to the server faster... carrying around these non-connected computers is byzantine by comparison.” Centralised data centres cause latency issues due to geographical distances from data sources, while bandwidth constraints are exacerbated by the increasing number of connected devices. Reliable internet connections can be problematic in remote areas, and central data storage raises security and privacy concerns. Additionally, costs associated with cloud services can be substantial, especially for continuous high-volume data transfers.
The edge advantage
Edge computing addresses these issues by processing data closer to its source, reducing latency and bandwidth usage and enhancing security and compliance with local regulations. This approach supports energy efficiency, optimises resource usage and facilitates remote infrastructure monitoring and management.
For example, in a smart city’s power grid, edge systems manage real-time monitoring, load balancing, predictive maintenance and quick response to outages, ensuring reliable and efficient power distribution.
However, deploying edge systems for critical infrastructure presents challenges such as cybersecurity, device compatibility and complex management. Widely dispersed edge devices increase the attack surface, necessitating robust security measures. Ensuring interoperability among diverse devices requires adopting industry standards and middleware solutions. Managing edge systems also involves intricate tasks like configuration, deployment, monitoring and maintenance across a dispersed network.
RTUs: decades of edge computing
Remote Telemetry Units provide a solution to these challenges. Functioning as “mini PCs in the field,” RTUs offer real-time data processing, low latency and scalability. They optimise operations, minimise waste and promote sustainability. RTUs have been performing edge computing functions for almost a century. Modern RTUs are versatile, rugged and capable of handling vast data volumes, supporting intricate decision-making processes.
Introduced in the 1930s to perform rudimentary control functions in electrical distribution systems, RTUs have evolved significantly. The advent of microcomputers in the 1970s allowed them to handle more complex tasks and larger data volumes. Today’s RTUs feature advanced functionalities such as process automation, data logging, protocol conversion and data display, making them indispensable in edge computing systems.
Ovarro’s diverse RTU portfolio
Ovarro boasts a robust portfolio of Remote Telemetry Unit brands, each designed to excel in specific industries and applications. The lineup includes Seprol, Datawatt, TBox and Kingfisher — four distinct families catering to diverse operational needs.
Seprol is a Water Industry Telemetry Standards-certified RTU solution tailored for automation and monitoring in the UK water industry, delivering reliable performance for critical water management tasks. Datawatt focuses on the Netherlands' water and energy sectors, providing specialised solutions with a narrow application focus. TBox serves as a versatile solution deployed globally across industries such as water, rail, energy, oil and gas, and broadcast, with its MS and LT2 families designed for scalability and functionality. Kingfisher offers modular designs for large-scale projects like pipeline networks, making it a top choice for extensive, high-demand applications.
This diversity underscores Ovarro’s commitment to meeting industry-specific demands while maintaining flexibility across applications.
For instance, the Beijing Gas Group leverages the Kingfisher RTU product line for its extensive 20,000-kilometre natural gas pipeline network, which supplies 18 billion cubic metres of gas annually to nearly six million customers. This deployment ensures seamless control and redundancy across its Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, integrating cutting-edge technologies like fibre-optic communication and Distributed Network Protocol 3.0. The Kingfisher RTUs provide robust situational awareness and cybersecurity tools, enabling reliable operation despite the scale and complexity of the infrastructure.
RTUs in edge computing
Ovarro’s TBox RTUs exemplify the capabilities required for industrial edge computing applications. The TBox MS-CPU32-S2 processor and LT2 all-in-one RTUs incorporate extensive features and functionalities, ensuring reliability and long service life. The TBox LT2 series has been recently expanded with new input/output modules, making the product future-proof, more flexible and competitively priced for new projects and markets. To meet current market expectations in communication, there are plans to equip the TBox MS series with a new Long-Term Evolution for Machines modem specifically developed for international Internet of Things applications.
RTUs bridge the gap between Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) systems with diverse communication protocols developed over decades. Modern standards like Message Queuing Telemetry Transport and SparkPlugB highlight the adaptability of RTUs to evolving technological landscapes. As RTU capabilities expand, more decision-making processes can be decentralised to the edge, enhancing efficiency and responsiveness.
Unlike newer market entrants, Ovarro's established presence and proven track record instill customer confidence in its longevity and support. For example, Juva, a Netherlands-based energy management company, faced challenges in effectively managing low- and medium-voltage assets on its smart grid due to the unpredictable nature of renewable energy sources like solar.
Conventional monitoring systems were costly and inadequate for interpreting fluctuating data from around 250 substations across a 25 to 30 square kilometer area. To address these issues, Ovarro proposed a solution using Rogowski coils for precise voltage monitoring and RTUs for data capture, storage and interpretation.
Specifically, Ovarro recommended the Datawatt Smart Grid (DSG) series known for flexibility and high security standards. This system allowed Juva to streamline installation times. The customer was also able to significantly enhance its network security, improve monitoring capabilities and bolster both operational efficiency and grid resilience.
Future potential
Looking ahead, RTUs hold immense potential in edge computing, especially with the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) algorithms. These advancements will enable more sophisticated decision-making processes to occur at the edge, further improving efficiency and responsiveness.
Ovarro’s RTUs, with their historical foundation and contemporary capabilities, are ideally positioned to support the ongoing evolution of edge computing. Through the distinct strengths of each RTU brand, Ovarro ensures customers receive tailored solutions while benefiting from a comprehensive approach to monitoring and control technology. Whether the application requires precision in niche markets like Seprol or global scalability like TBox and Kingfisher, Ovarro's RTU families consistently deliver innovative, reliable solutions to match evolving industry demands.
Conclusion
Edge computing represents a significant advancement in data management and system control, offering both performance and sustainability benefits. Ovarro’s RTUs will play a critical role in driving the next wave of innovation in this dynamic field, supporting the development of smart, efficient and resilient infrastructure systems. As once-revolutionary technologies like the cloud become, to quote Steve Jobs, “byzantine by comparison,” Ovarro’s RTUs stand at the forefront of this shift, shaping the future of edge computing.
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