Chinese energy grid gets edge server layer
Embedded server technology for the edge of smart grids
Tencent’s energy IoT partner wants to change the way how distributed energy production and consumption are managed by implementing a new monitoring, management and control layer of distributed edge servers. These new small and rugged but nevertheless tough and powerful high-speed devices can connect in real time to all the decentralized devices relevant for energy management. First implementations of this new edge sever layer can be found in Shanghai Business Park. They are built on real-time capable Server-on-Modules from congatec, which offer a wide performance and interface scalability from Intel® Xeon® to Intel® Atom® C3xxx processors to meet the given local needs in a flexible and highly automated way.
Smart grid technologies get deployed in the power production, distribution and consumption sectors. Many new requirements occur in the power consumption sector right now due to regenerative energy as well as energy management demands. The new edge server platform is designed to manage everything needed within the power consumption segment – from microgrids up to smart cities that include various regenerative power sources and thus local load balancing.
The edge server hardware platform is scalable in terms of processor performance and I/O interfaces within a single system design due to the modular approach of Server-on-Module designs. They are based on the COM Express Type 7 specification, released by the PICMG standardization body. The hardware vendor is congatec, who – in cooperation with its Chinese VAR as well as Intel – is providing the entire hardware platform including all required tests and services.
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