Ericsson has been awarded two major European Commission-funded projects as part of the Horizon 2020 Programme.
Collaborating with its partners in the utilities sector and academia, Ericsson will undertake innovative research using 5G technologies to solve the challenges faced by the utilities industry today.
SUCCESS is one of the projects aimed at developing new solutions based on 5G technologies to ensure the security of energy networks and grids with a particular focus on smart metering. The project started earlier this year and boasts 16 partners from industry, academia and utilities.
The other project, named RE-SERVE, is aimed at developing new techniques and solutions based on 5G technology to assist energy providers with balancing the voltage and frequency of the power grid to maintain a stable power supply to society, while at the same time increasing the proportion of power generated by volatile renewable energy sources such as solar and wind energy.
Charlotta Sund, Head of Customer Group Industry & Society, Ericsson, says: “With the ongoing transformation of all industries being enabled by 5G, the Internet of Things and Cloud technologies, Ericsson is committed to engaging with leading industry partners in researching and innovating for the world in which everything that can benefit from a connection will be connected.
“We are delighted to be working with leading utilities and research institutes in exploring and solving the challenges associated with such key issues as cyber security and managing the utilization of maximal renewables while maintaining grid stability and security of supply.”
Ericsson Eurolab in Aachen, Germany, will take the lead on both projects. Professor Antonello Monti from the RWTH Aachen University will act as Technical Manager.
He adds: “While RE-SERVE will define how the technical interaction should happen, SUCCESS will define how to make sure this interaction is secure, where the end goal is to create a flexible and secure system ready for a carbon-free society.”