趋势观察:能源和公用事业领域的物联网与信息技术融合

Roch Muraine

May 22, 2023

Operational and Information technology convergence is changing how energy and utilities manage their business going forward.

在阿尔卡特朗讯企业公司, we have been focusing on a number of vertical markets over the last few years. In that time, we have seen how technology trends differ from vertical to vertical. 能源和公用事业部门就是这样一个趋势, where we are seeing the emergence of Operational Technology (OT) and Information Technology (IT) convergence ― a trend that will revolutionise how the industry operates well into the future.

但“趋同”到底是什么意思呢? Well, 它指的是业务技术的整合, which is used to control and monitor industrial processes, 利用资讯科技, which is used to manage and process data using applications such as enterprise resource planning software and data analytics platforms. In conjunction with the digital transformation that the energy and utilities sector is undergoing, the convergence of OT and IT has become increasingly important in recent years as industrial processes become digitised and connected to the internet.

One of the main benefits of OT-IT convergence is the ability to collect and analyse large amounts of data from production processes in real-time. This can help companies make better decisions, improve efficiency and reduce costs. For example, an energy operator can use sensors and other devices to collect data on the performance of its distribution grid and then use that data to optimise the distribution process. This can lead to increased productivity, reduced downtime and lower maintenance costs.

Another benefit of OT-IT convergence is the ability to remotely monitor and control electrical circuits and valves. This can be especially useful for companies with operations in multiple locations or for those who need to monitor processes that are difficult to access physically. For example, a company that operates a power or nuclear plant can use remote monitoring to ensure its turbines are operating at peak efficiency and to quickly respond to any issues that arise.

However, there are some serious challenges associated with OT-IT convergence. One of the main issues is the need to ensure industrial processes’ cybersecurity. As more industrial processes become connected to company IT networks and possibly to the internet, 企业容易受到网络攻击. 这可能会产生严重的后果, 比如扰乱运营, 窃取敏感数据, 甚至造成人身伤害和生命威胁. Companies must take steps to secure their industrial networks and protect against potential cyberthreats.

Another challenge is the need to integrate different systems and technologies through a variety of devices, 每个都有自己的协议和接口. Integrating legacy protocols and systems can be complex and time-consuming, requiring the use of gateways middleware or other communications protocols to bridge the gap. OT-IT convergence may also require a shift in technology to cloud computing, which may not be an easy move to make for all energy and utility providers.

最大的挑战, however, may be linked to people and organisations as responsibility for OT management typically falls to operational departments such as production, maintenance, or facilities. These departments are responsible for the day-to-day operation and maintenance of physical assets and processes. Additionally, 这个功能可以外包给第三方, for example, companies may outsource the management of their power generation assets to specialised service providers.

在很多组织中, OT管理仍然是与IT管理分开的, 这两个部门通常有不同的目标, processes, and cultures. However, 随着IT和OT系统变得更加集成, organisations will need to establish cross-functional teams to manage both systems and ensure they are aligned with the overall company goals. 不管谁负责管理OT, it is important to have a clear understanding of the OT role and the impact it has on the organisation’s operations, 并确保OT系统设计良好, 维护和安全, 支持组织的整体目标.

而OT- IT融合还处于早期阶段, it is becoming increasingly important as the energy and utilities sector transforms, 数字化和连接一切. Welcome to the beginning of this journey that we expect to navigate over the next 10 years ― at least.

Learn more about ALE solutions 能源和公用事业部门.