Nokia is to deploy a private LTE network in the Anterix-owned 900 MHz band in the US for energy provider Xcel Energy. The deployment will support the firm’s grid modernisation and renewable energy strategies, plus optimised delivery of electricity and natural gas. The deployment will cover Minneapolis-based Xcel Energy’s entire service area, which stretches into Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin.
Xcel Energy will take an LTE-version of Nokia’s macro-scale private network product, called Modular Private Wireless (MPW), plus its operational support systems (OSS) and IP/MPLS infrastructure. It supplies electricity to 3.7 million customers. Anterix said in May it is at the halfway point to clear its nationwide 900 MHz spectrum for US utilities, and has so far signed with four customers, and is drawing on a $3 billion pipeline of 60 investor-owned utilities.
A statement said: “[Xcel Energy] will be able to connect assets using industrial IoT sensors at remote locations and seamlessly incorporate renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, into the energy distribution grid. New levels of grid automation will allow the company to isolate and respond to outages rapidly for more reliable, efficient operations and sustainable asset utilisation. Customers will have greater transparency and control over their energy use leveraging smart meters and online tools.”
Xcel Energy has a stated net-zero energy target of 2050. Nokia claims to have deployed mission-critical networks for 2,600-odd enterprises in the utilities, ports, mines, manufacturing, and logistics segments.
Matt Young, head of Nokia’s enterprise business in North America, said: “Xcel Energy can converge multiple applications onto a single robust, reliable and secure mission-critical private LTE network for more efficient operations. As its digitalisation needs evolve, it will benefit from a wide ecosystem of compelling Industry 4.0 applications to support current and future use cases and achieve its operational, environmental and safety goals.”
Tim Peterson, senior vice president and chief technology officer at Xcel Energy, said: “Our customers rely on us to deliver clean, affordable and reliable energy. As the first major US power provider to announce a plan to deliver 100 percent carbon free electricity by 2050, Nokia’s private LTE network will support us on our journey, allowing us to leverage better field communications and greater intelligence across the grid for optimised and sustainable operations.”
