Workforce Mobility

A Smart Grid WAN deployment can connect more than just grid devices. Deploying broadband communication to substations also enables a field area network (FAN) for mobile technicians so they can access utility applications while in the field. The FAN – a secure Wi-Fi network at the substation – provides field technicians with access to grid information as well as voice over IP (VoIP) across a private WAN network, which enables always-on communications. The private FAN network not only enables communication for day-to-day operations but also provides dedicated networking for emergency communications when public networks such as the cellular networks are either congested or unavailable.

Workforce mobility applications typically require broadband bandwidth and VoIP applications require low latency. In addition, the FAN requires always-on connectivity in order to allow mobile technicians to communicate and ensure grid reliability.

All SecureMesh WAN products have the option for an integrated Wi-Fi access point to enable substation workforce mobility. The integrated Wi-Fi access point provides a secure connection to standard IEEE 802.11b/g clients such as laptops and smartphones, all in a cost-effective outdoor wireless devices that only requires power to operate. The substation Wi-Fi network can be secure in multiple ways, including hidden SSIDs, robust authentication and encryption technologies, and both virtual LANs (VLANs) and virtual private networks (VPNs). The long-range SecureMesh WAN links – up to 10 miles for each link – allows connectivity to remote substations to ensure mobile FAN connectivity. In addition, the SecureMesh WAN can provide QoS with traffic guarantees when implementing VoIP at the substation.

The SecureMesh WAN can enable cost-effective workforce mobility at the substation. Extending the substation network to field technicians results in improvements in grid reliability (i.e. lower SAIDI, MAIFI, CAIDI, SAIFI metrics) and improvements in service restoration, both of which results in improved customer satisfaction.