It takes a step up in quality collaboration between Snam and Cisco. The partnership, which began in 2010, was implemented with the creation of a new multiservice optical network. This network, that will be completed by 2024, will connect the control and monitoring points of the national gas transport network more quickly and efficiently. The collected data will be used to manage the infrastructure remotely and offer advanced services, such as predictive maintenance of the plants, through the application of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms.
The next generation optical network will make use of Cisco RON technology (Routed Optical Networking) and will be able to offer bandwidth capacity equal to 400 Gigabits/second: 40 times more than the current network, based on the more traditional technology called DWDM (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing).
The opportunities of the new multi-service network
The new multiservice network offers performance comparable to that of the networks of large telecommunications providers. Based on aunique infrastructure, supports Snam's different needs in various ways:
- Control and management: guarantees the safe transport of the data traffic necessary for the remote control of the main gas transport network, which includes around 12.000 km of main gas pipelines and 1630 control points distributed throughout Italy.
- IoT data collection: collects data from Internet of Things (IoT) systems and sensors located at 1630 control points and transmits them to management and monitoring systems.
- Strengthening of the corporate communication network: enhances the communication network owned by Snam, connecting around a hundred offices throughout the country to connect all company activities.
All these different types of data collected will conveyed securely to i two Snam data centres, its headquarters and the cloud.
The new optical network offers opportunities for integrating further new services to meet the future needs of Snam and its strategic partners. In terms of cybersecurity, these solutions separate the data transport layers and allow the most critical information to be transported in one direction, i.e. only towards the devices and nodes that actually need to receive it.
"The connectivity infrastructure represent an essential element for our operations, we have found in Cisco a valuable partner who has accompanied us with technologies and people in a profound transformation journey, knowing how to balance innovation, sustainability and safety" he commented George Veronesi, Senior Vice President Digital Technologies and Innovation of Snam.
Advantages in terms of efficiency and energy saving
The new Cisco network with RON technology offers important advantages in terms of efficiency and energy saving compared to previous optical networks. Thanks to the miniaturization and direct integration of the optical part in the routers, the network architecture is simplified, the number of devices to be powered is reduced and a significant reduction of energy consumption for every gigabyte of data transported. This makes the network more sustainable and ready to face the future challenges of the sector.
“A significant portion of the electricity we consume in Italy is generated from gas, so this project is an essential step in meeting the needs of the country's citizens and businesses, and Snam's attention to sustainability is good for the future of our planet. Cisco hardware and software technologies help to operate efficiently, continuously and safely. The complete digitization of the gas transport infrastructure makes it possible to have the information and tools that help manage high-level functions in a safe way, and at the same time accelerate the energy transition that Snam is pursuing, for example with research on use of hydrogen,” he said Gianmatteo Manghi, Chief Executive Officer of Cisco Italy.
