With increasing activity in the North Sea—from offshore wind farms to shipping and nature conservation—establishing a reliable communication network has become an urgent necessity. However, digitizing the North Sea is a complex process. The Connectivity Fieldlab North Sea (CFNS), an initiative by Rijkswaterstaat, is working on a digital revolution at sea, aiming for full connectivity in the Dutch part of the North Sea by 2030. This network will enhance the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of offshore activities. CFNS seeks input from the sector to assess and prioritize specific needs. (Photo: via DALL-E)
Online Meeting
Understanding the specific connectivity needs in the North Sea is essential. To address this, CFNS, alongside Cisco, Nokia, Frontier, KPN, RWS, the Coast Guard, and other ecosystem partners, has developed a technical framework to systematically map these needs. CFNS invites you to participate in a collaborative session to explore this framework.
Join the online meeting on November 7, 2024, from 12:00 to 13:00, to connect with North Sea stakeholders and engage in interactive discussions.
You can register here.
Needs
Offshore wind farms, often spanning hundreds of square kilometers, require robust communication systems to maintain constant contact between turbines, substations, and onshore control centers.
Establishing reliable communication lines is crucial for both operational efficiency and crew safety on offshore wind farms. Installation and maintenance teams must be able to communicate with each other and with coordination centers onshore or offshore. Additionally, it's essential to locate workers when they’re in the field.
Alongside offshore wind farms, numerous parties operate in the North Sea, each with specific connectivity and secure communication needs. This is important both for internal connectivity within offshore wind farms and for broader communication networks linking various stakeholders such as operators, maintenance teams, and control centers.
Requirements
Here are the primary requirements for establishing a new communication network:
- Security - Since these wind farms are largely unmanned, a reliable and secure infrastructure is crucial. Systems must withstand cyber threats and meet both internal and national security standards. Companies like ABB, supplying telecom security for Dogger Bank, emphasize a systematic approach to cybersecurity to mitigate risks.
- Innovative Technologies like 5G - The rise of 5G offers complete coverage across wind farms, enabling real-time data processing and boosting park efficiency.
- Support for Critical Systems - Beyond operational communication, these networks support critical systems, including aviation and maritime navigation, safety systems (like CCTV), and alarms, enhancing safety for infrastructure and occasional personnel on-site.
- Support of critical systems - In addition to operational communications, these networks also support other vital systems such as aviation and maritime navigation, safety systems (such as CCTV), and alarms. This increases overall safety, both for the infrastructure itself and for the personnel who are on site from time to time.
Challenges
Establishing a stable communication network at sea is complex and faces several challenges.
Network Security
A top priority in building digital networks is ensuring security. For offshore wind farms using networks like 5G or fiber-optic systems, the focus is on preventing attacks or interceptions of sensitive information. This is essential, as these networks manage turbine monitoring, control, and the transmission of critical data between offshore and onshore facilities. Securing these networks is crucial to operational continuity and safeguarding sensitive data.
Cybersecurity is explicitly incorporated in developing communication networks for offshore parties in the North Sea, protecting them against potential threats like espionage and cyberattacks.
One of the main goals of the CFNS is to create a sustainable and secure maritime environment. Through digital monitoring of wind farms and other installations, incidents can be detected and resolved more quickly. For example, in the event of an accident, a buoy equipped with sensors can send real-time wave and wind data to rescue services, significantly improving the coordination of rescue operations.
Additionally, there are multiple challenges:
- Distance and Coverage - Communication at sea requires long-range networks. Traditional mobile networks perform poorly offshore, necessitating specialized technologies like LTE-M on the 450 MHz band, which offers extensive range with minimal infrastructure.
- Environmental Factors - Harsh maritime conditions, such as high winds, waves, and corrosive salt air, demand durable hardware that can withstand these elements.
- Multidisciplinary Approach - The North Sea hosts energy, fishing, conservation, shipping, and recreational activities, requiring adaptable infrastructure for all users.
- Economic and Technological Challenges - Connecting all offshore entities requires significant investment and collaboration among governments, businesses, and research institutions. New technologies, like low-frequency 5G and floating communication towers, are being tested but face financial and technical hurdles.
- Regulation and Standards - The EU and other bodies are enhancing cybersecurity in offshore energy infrastructure, including rigorous requirements in procurement processes and implementing the Network Code for Cybersecurity (NCCS) to protect electricity transmission and communication networks.
- Supply Chain and Systemic Security - Beyond direct connections, supply chain auditing is essential to identify vulnerabilities, as weaknesses in external systems can compromise the entire network's security.
The Role of CFNS
The Connectivity Fieldlab North Sea (CFNS) consolidates needs and challenges, playing a crucial role in developing innovative solutions to transform the future maritime industry. Aiming for full digital connectivity by 2030, CFNS leads pilots and innovative technology tests.
As a "mission-driven" innovation program, CFNS collaborates with universities, tech companies, and governments to test new technologies, including sensor-equipped buoys for communication testing, driving continuous innovation and IoT integration at sea.
CFNS aims to establish a sustainable, affordable, and secure network for North Sea activities, especially offshore wind farms, supporting the rising need for digital connectivity.
For more information, visit the CFNS website.
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