Nokia is installing communications infrastructure to establish the smart grid in Finland, capable of integrating increased levels of renewable power.
The “mission-critical” internet protocol/multiprotocol label switching (IP/MPLS) network will enable Fingrid, the transmission system operator, to digitalise and automate the management of its national power grid.
The resulting smart grid will be better able to “seamlessly integrate” variable renewables such as solar, wind and micro-generation from bioenergy.
The Nokia network will also support all current and legacy grid control applications including SCADA, teleprotection and current differential protection.
Fingrid will use the network to operate 120 high-voltage substations and control 14,600km of power transmission across the country.
As Finland continues to add more variable and distributed generation, this requires a more agile and automated grid to manage the variable, two-way power flows by automatically ramping and balancing inputs and outputs.
The distributed energy resource management systems that are helping upgrade the grid rely on secure communications system to monitor, control, coordinate, and manage distributed energy assets.
The project is in partnership with NetNordic, a longstanding Nokia channel partner.
Fingrid ICT head Kari Suominen said: “We are committed to realising the potential of renewable energy generation and are embarking on an ambitious transformation of our national grid to make it smarter and more flexible.
“Nokia’s IP/MPLS solution plays an important role in the digital transformation of our distributed energy resource management by providing us with a reliable, secure and agile communications system that has the potential to support all of our power management needs.”
Nokia energy practice global vice president Kamal Ballout said: “Fingrid joins our long list of transmission system operator customers who are modernizing their networks and transforming their businesses by embracing more distributed and renewable energy sources.
“Through continued investment in our IP portfolio, we are able to meet the specific requirements of today’s energy market, helping them evolve their infrastructure for a more sustainable future.”