General details
EDIHs involved
Challenges
3t.Cable, a company specialised in the design and construction of photovoltaic (PV) plants, sought to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of its solar power operations. The primary challenge involved implementing a comprehensive system for remote monitoring of solar power plants to streamline maintenance, ensure warranty compliance, and predict potential failures.
Despite successfully completing around sixty PV projects, ranging from small domestic to large industrial plants, 3t.Cable lacked an advanced digital monitoring solution that could efficiently manage the growing complexity and scale of its operations. This challenge became increasingly critical as the company aimed to maintain high operational standards and extend its market reach. The need for real-time data collection, analysis, and optimisation of solar power plant performance prompted 3t.Cable to engage the European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) Adria’s services. Specifically, 3t.Cable required a digital transformation to integrate Internet of Things (IoT) platforms into their existing PV systems. This transformation was necessary to support the company’s goals of sustainability, efficiency, and innovation, aligning with their commitment to driving forward renewable energy solutions.
Solutions
To address the challenge, EDIH Adria, led by Ericsson Nikola Tesla and the University of Rijeka, collaborated with 3t.Cable to explore and test digital solutions for enhancing the monitoring capabilities of solar power plants. The approach involved leveraging IoT platforms to collect, analyse, and optimise data from PV systems in real-time. Two key technologies were identified and tested:
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The Ericsson Insulae Platform, a comprehensive paid solution
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Node-RED, an open-source flow-based development tool.
The Insulae Platform provided a user-friendly interface for real-time monitoring and comprehensive energy management, while Node-RED offered flexibility and scalability for custom solutions without licensing costs. Both solutions were tested on identical datasets to assess their effectiveness in monitoring PV systems. The testing revealed that the Insulae Platform’s proprietary features provided a more comprehensive energy management solution, while Node-RED’s adaptability allowed for seamless integration and customisation. The rationale behind the investment included ensuring the scalability of the solution and enhancing 3t.Cable’s ability to monitor, maintain, and optimise its PV systems. EDIH funding was strategically allocated to aid the development and testing phases, ensuring that the solutions met the company's digital transformation needs.
Results and Benefits
The digital transformation project at 3t.Cable, once fully implemented, is expected to yield significant benefits. Detailed testing and prototyping removed 3t.Cable's management doubts about the necessary investment and selection of technologies for realisation. The key elements that reinforce the need for a new digital platform are:
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Real-Time Monitoring: Integrating IoT platforms like Insulae and Node-RED will provide continuous, real-time data on energy production and system performance. This capability will enable 3t.Cable to detect anomalies early, predict potential failures, and respond quickly, reducing downtime and enhancing reliability.
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Maintenance Efficiency: The solutions will allow 3t.Cable to adopt a proactive maintenance approach. Predictive analytics will help schedule timely interventions, reduce maintenance costs, and extend the lifespan of PV installations. This will lead to consistent energy production and a higher return on investment (ROI) for clients.
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Comprehensive Energy Management: The Insulae Platform offers advanced tools for data visualisation, analysis, and reporting. This will enable 3t.Cable to optimise energy production, manage energy flows effectively, and make informed decisions based on historical data and trends.
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Scalability and Flexibility: Node-RED’s open-source nature provides flexibility for customisation and expansion. This scalability ensures that 3t.Cable can integrate new systems and technologies as it grows, maintaining a competitive edge without significant additional investment.
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Cost Efficiency and ROI: The transformation is expected to deliver substantial cost savings. Automation and reduced manual interventions will lower labor costs, while enhanced efficiency will minimise operational expenses. Improved system performance will likely increase energy output, boosting revenue or savings for clients. These financial benefits are expected to outweigh the initial investment.
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Customer Satisfaction: Enhanced reliability and responsive maintenance are likely to improve customer satisfaction. Clients will benefit from fewer disruptions and transparent performance reporting, which should lead to higher retention rates and an expanded client base.
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Technological Leadership and Competitiveness: Embracing these digital solutions will position 3t.Cable as a technological leader in the renewable energy sector. This will strengthen its competitiveness, helping to attract new clients and secure larger projects, driving sustainable growth.
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Sustainability: The digital transformation aligns with 3t.Cable’s sustainability goals by optimising PV system efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and promoting renewable energy. This positions the company as a leader in the global shift towards greener energy solutions.
In summary, the anticipated benefits of 3t.Cable’s digital transformation include improved operational efficiency, cost savings, enhanced customer satisfaction, and strengthened market leadership, all of which support long-term growth and sustainability.
Perceived social/economic impact
The expected social and economic impacts of the digital transformation project were significant. By enhancing the efficiency and reliability of solar power systems, 3t.Cable would contribute to the broader adoption of renewable energy, promoting environmental sustainability and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. The digital solutions were anticipated to enable more precise energy management, leading to higher energy output and lower operational costs, which in turn could make solar energy more affordable and accessible to a wider population.
Economically, the project was expected to bolster 3t.Cable’s market position, enabling the company to expand its operations and increase its revenue through improved service offerings and greater customer satisfaction. The success of the project could also have a positive ripple effect on the local economy, potentially leading to job creation in the renewable energy sector and stimulating demand for related services and technologies. Additionally, the project’s focus on digital innovation could inspire other SMEs to explore similar digital transformation initiatives, further driving economic growth and technological advancement in the region.
In summary, the digitalisation of 3t.Cable’s operations was expected to have far-reaching social and economic benefits, aligning with global sustainability goals and contributing to the long-term viability of the renewable energy industry.
Measurable data
For 3t.Cable, once their IoT-based solar monitoring systems are fully implemented, measurable outcomes could be assessed through the following metrics:
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Reduction in System Downtime: With real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance, downtime is expected to be reduced by 20-30%. This can be measured through system uptime logs and customer service reports.
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Energy Efficiency Gains: Optimising energy flows and ensuring the solar systems operate at peak efficiency is projected to result in a 5-10% increase in overall energy output, which can be measured through performance metrics on the solar systems.
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Maintenance Cost Reduction: By adopting proactive maintenance based on real-time data and predictive analytics, 3t.Cable is expected to see a 15-20% reduction in maintenance costs, as system failures are addressed before they escalate.
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Customer Retention and Satisfaction: The reliability provided by these digital tools is expected to improve customer satisfaction, which can be monitored through customer retention rates and feedback surveys. A reduction in customer churn by 5-10% is projected.
DMA score and results - Stage 0
DMA T0 clearly indicated that 3t.Cable has a good understanding of the management and employees about the needs of the digital transformation of the company, but that they lacks key knowledge in the context of defining a digital transformation strategy and a practical approach to automating the process of monitoring and managing solar plants. In this sense they represented an ideal candidate for EDIH grants.
DMA score and results – Stage 1
The implementation of the new solution is in progress, T1 DMA will be realised after the implementation of the project.
Lessons learned
The test phase of the digital transformation project provided several critical lessons for both 3t.Cable and EDIH Adria. One of the key takeaways was the importance of selecting the right technological solution that aligns with the company’s specific needs and technical capabilities. While Node-RED offered cost savings and customisation potential, it required a higher level of technical expertise, which could be a barrier for some organisations. In contrast, the Insulae Platform, though more expensive, provided a more user-friendly experience with dedicated support, making it a more accessible option for companies without extensive in-house technical skills. Another important lesson was the need for robust internet connectivity and hardware compatibility to ensure seamless integration of IoT platforms.
The challenges faced during testing highlighted the necessity of upgrading certain hardware components and ensuring that communication devices, like Modbus-to-MQTT converters, are properly implemented to facilitate data transmission. Furthermore, the project underscored the value of thorough planning and collaboration between the company and digital transformation experts. The involvement of EDIH Adria provided 3t.Cable with valuable insights and technical support, which were crucial in navigating the complexities of digitalisation. Moving forward, these lessons will inform the company’s strategy for scaling its digital solutions and could serve as valuable advice for other SMEs and PSOs embarking on similar digital transformation journeys.
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