Fixed IP Data SIMs

We all see wind turbines on the hillsides, usually with the blades turning and generating electricity for the National Grid. Each of those wind turbines are connected via the internet to software based control systems, often in another country. For example, some turbines are monitored and controlled from head office locations in The Netherlands. The control systems are constantly changing the operational aspects of the turbine to maximise the power output based on the wind strength and direction. So, when the wind speed is low the gearing is reduced so that the blades still turn and when the wind increases the gearing goes up and the blades generate more power per revolution. There is a safety aspect to this as well which is to prevent the blades from turning so fast in high winds that friction causes the turbine to go up in flames. So, if the wind turbine loses its internet connection, the turbine shuts down for safety reasons. This loses the power generation and consequently the revenue from the generator. Now, wind turbines, in common with most renewable energy sources, are most likely to be located some distance from the nearest BT Openreach cabinet and installing a fixed line for internet connectivity would be prohibitively expensive. In most cases there would need to be digging in and running a dedicated cable and if roads were in the intended path, wayleave permissions would also be required. So, the timescales as well as the expense would be a major problem.

The solution is to install a 3G/4G router with an Anvil Fixed IP SIM card and an external antenna mounted on the mast. The external antenna is always required as the masts are of a metal construction which blocks the mobile signal in the control room of the turbine. A 3 gigabyte per month data allowance is sufficient to support the remote management and monitoring of the turbine. The result is that the wind turbines are on-line and both the revenue generation and clean energy keeps flowing.