INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Cabling
SSE Enterprise Telecoms and
Synaptec join forces to enable real-
time analysis of UK energy networks
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S
SE Enterprise Telecoms, one of the
UK’s leading connectivity suppliers,
has announced a technical partnership
with Synaptec, an innovative provider of
monitoring technology for electrical power
networks. Deploying Synaptec’s unique
passive sensor networks into existing
fibre infrastructure means SSE Enterprise
Telecoms will be ideally positioned to deliver
greater visibility and control of increasingly
complex and distributed networks more
affordably and conveniently. This will lead
to improved wide-area protection, control
and asset management functions across its
networks and work to meet the challenge of
delivering smarter grids in the future.
With the UK’s drive for Net-zero 2050
and increased renewables development,
electricity networks are investing to become
more flexible and manage changing energy
demand. At the same time, they’re driving
efficiencies and innovation. As a result,
SSE Enterprise Telecoms’ partnership with
Synaptec will offer more cost-effective,
scalable visibility and real-time monitoring,
enabling electricity network operators to
manage grids more proactively.
SSE Enterprise Telecoms already underpins
the connectivity requirements of energy
company SSE plc. Its 12,000km+, reliable
and secure core fibre network spans the UK,
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INTELLIGENTCIO
including some of the most remote areas of
the Scottish Highlands. Adding Synaptec’s
condition monitoring capability gives
energy providers more than a connectivity
offering, allowing them to make more
informed decisions about network upgrades
and preventative maintenance as well
as enhancing real-time control of critical
high voltage assets. Electricity network
businesses can also rest assured that the
network meets government-grade security
certifications, thanks to SSE Enterprise
Telecoms’ CAS(T) accreditation.
Synaptec’s technology promises to
significantly reduce the capital cost of
THIS TRIAL, ONCE
COMPLETED,
WILL GIVE THE UK
ENERGY MARKET
THE REAL-TIME
ANALYSIS THEY
REQUIRE, NOW AND
IN THE FUTURE.
monitoring complex circuits and the potential
to realise efficiencies at scale are impressive,
with enhanced protection, automation,
control and asset management functions to
reduce both outages and engineering costs.
Network operators will also see improved
maintenance capabilities from these scalable
sensor networks, delivering data to a newly
created real-time analytics platform for
predictive maintenance of critical assets
which are often remote or inaccessible. This
will allow early identification of issues such
as ice build-up on power lines or impending
failures in underground cable systems. Access
to such a wealth of real-time network data will
aid future development and decision making,
particularly for the upcoming DNO to DSO
(Distribution System Operator) transition.
Colin Sempill, Chief Executive at SSE
Enterprise Telecoms, said: “The global
demand for energy is changing significantly
due to the pursuit of cleaner energy and
greater consumer awareness of how we
generate and use our power. Supporting this
shift to smarter energy requires suppliers to
rethink how networks are managed in real-
time, and to keep them safer, more efficient
and reduce waste.
“This trial, once completed, will give the UK
energy market the real-time analysis they
require, now and in the future.” n
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