Private LTE-5G RAN as a solution for power utilities

Private LTE-5G RAN offers a solution for distribution automation and other emerging smart utility use cases.

“Distribution automation is one of the most interesting use cases we are seeing,” says Dr Ali Shah, Head of Enterprise Business Development for Nokia Mobile Networks in North America, referencing the need for a utility private communication solution and its importance for 5G migration and in the future 6G.

“One of the key questions that a utility needs to think about is whether to start with a fixed wireless network or a mobile network; the main use cases and business objectives are very important to building a robust design.”

In the case of distribution automation, for example, it would be a fixed wireless network case, which is of lesser complexity and cost than the mobile option, whereas mission-critical push-to-talk would be a combination of nomadic and mobility use cases.

Reviewing the process for RF design Shah explains that Nokia’s recommended approach is to start with a link budget estimating the cell coverage per spectrum bands for the use case requirements and the devices to be supported.

Tower locations are then established, followed by a review of spectrum versus coverage trade-offs and thereafter consideration of capacities both from the site and solution perspectives to meet future growth scenarios.

“We adapt this based on the needs of customers,” he comments, noting that once an order of magnitude estimate has been made then the more robust design can start to be mapped out in detail.

“When we talk about 5G migration at the heart is the low latency and time sync, but we need to look at all the new features, such as the IoT, the edge cloud, the cloud RAN, and build an understanding of when to go to 5G is very important and should be clarified up front.” 

As an example, he cites a simulation of a 5G migration with an LTE deployment scheduled to start in 2024. By 2026 the device ecosystem would have matured with both an LTE and radio carrier and then to an all-5G networks by the end of the decade.

“Those are some of the migration considerations, however, it all depends on what your device strategy is, and those discussions should be had up front.”

Technology requirements for private LTE 5G

Turning to the technology requirements for a private LTE 5G solution, Hemant Relan, Radio Solutions Manager at Nokia, says that the components should be multi-technology proven, energy-efficient and future-proof to support firmware and technology upgrades and be complemented with well-defined common software.

The foundation is the base station, with key components including the baseband, radio modules and antennas.

“There has to be a lot of focus on the overall site solutions and deployment aspects, including issues such as the support capability, the cabling and the power requirement dimensioning,” Relan comments.

Other considerations include minimizing the overall footprint with a flexible deployment to support different use cases.

“Our approach is with flexible plug-in units that can be configured in multiple options,” he explains, adding that redundancy is built in with automatic switchover to the standby options to ensure resiliency in case of a failure at any point in the network.

A key question when it comes to the technology is whether to deploy LTE initially or to go with 5G directly.

That Relan says, depends on the device ecosystem and the use case that needs to be supported as either are possible.

Private LTE network examples

As an example of a deployment, Relan cites the German energy and water industry joint venture 450connect’s choice of Nokia’s private LTE technology for the LTE450 critical infrastructure network in that country.

The mission of 450connect is to digitalize these critical infrastructures with the 450MHz band, which has been allocated exclusively until 2040 to support the energy transition and drive for decarbonization.

The LTE450 radio network, with features including Cat-M1, went into operation in the first areas of Germany in March 2023 for customer tests, including smart grid, smart meter gateway and mobile voice and data communication use cases.

The network should be ready for operation throughout the country by 2025.

"The use of the 450MHz frequency allows us to connect the new smart metering systems and control plants. Both are of immense importance for the successful implementation of the energy transition and the integration of renewable energies,” commented Thomas Murche, Chief Technology Officer of WEMAG and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of 450connect.

“We are pleased that with the 450MHz radio network, 450connect is now realizing a requirement-based and rapid implementation for the industry and other operators of critical infrastructures."

Another example of a private LTE deployment – the first in Latin America – is with the Brazilian distributor Elektro, which supplies energy in São Paulo and Mato Grosso do Sul, to strengthen the reliability and efficiency of its power grid.

A third, and the latest by Nokia, is with ESB Networks and Sigma Wireless in Ireland to support the integration of more renewable energy onto the grid and to enhance grid monitoring and control.

Nicholas Tarrant, Managing Director of ESB Networks, commented in the June 2023 announcement: “The purpose-built private telecommunications network now being developed will be a key enabler in delivering integration of renewable energy to the grid, decarbonisation of the electricity network and the electrification of heat and transport among other benefits. As such, this private, reliable, and secure mobile network will be an indispensable precursor to delivering a net-zero-ready electricity network.”

Watch the recent panel discussion to learn more about how a well-designed private wireless solution can help you build a smarter grid, reach your net-zero goals and support new business models.