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A New Era for Energy Distribution in Brazil

Cemig, a prominent energy distribution company in Brazil, has entered into a strategic partnership with Huawei to deploy a private wireless network operating at 450 MHz. As energy distribution services become increasingly complex, Cemig's reliance on public networks for data transmission posed several risks, particularly in remote areas where coverage is limited. This collaboration aims to address those challenges, ensuring better service and reliability for the company's operations.

The Challenge of Public Networks

Historically, Cemig has depended largely on public networks to manage their distribution devices. However, this approach has introduced significant vulnerabilities. The coverage provided by operators in Brazil reaches only about 50% of the country's territory, leaving many distribution devices in uninhabited regions without connectivity for extended periods. This gap means that during outages, workers often need to travel long distances for repairs and regular maintenance, severely impacting operational efficiency.

Additionally, the SLA agreements concerning public networks were not tailored for the specific demands of the power sector. During the rainy season, adverse weather conditions frequently lead to base station failures and interruptions in microwave links, causing device availability rates to plummet from around 90% to approximately 60%. In cases of connectivity disturbances, remote control commands failed to reach devices, forcing technicians to intervene manually, thus delaying the restoration of power and increasing economic losses.

The Solution: A Private Wireless Network

To tackle these pressing issues, Cemig conducted a series of assessments and global case studies, ultimately selecting Huawei as its strategic partner. Together, they are implementing the first commercial private wireless network at 450 MHz tailored for the energy sector in Latin America.

After several field tests, Cemig quickly recognized the advantages of the private wireless network, solidifying its belief in the modernization of its distribution network. They expressed high expectations for future energy transformation, noting that Huawei's proposal not only met current requirements but also allowed for scalability with future renewable energy integration.

Benefits of the Implementation

The benefits of the private wireless network are manifold, and they significantly enhance Cemig's operational capabilities:

1. Enhanced Reliability: The private network increased the availability of distribution terminals to 99%, with communication reliability rising to an impressive 99.99%. This improvement greatly boosts the quality of electricity distribution services.

2. Business Risk Reduction: By minimizing network losses and improving SAIDI and SAIFI metrics, the private network helps Cemig avoid regulatory penalties and offers peace of mind.

3. Guaranteed ROI: The efficiency improvements facilitated by the private network enable compliance with ANEEL regulatory requirements while also yielding favorable returns on investment.

4. Expanded Applications: Serving as a core communication infrastructure for energy production operations, the network ensures reliable last-mile connectivity essential for today's automated power distribution. Moreover, it accommodates critical future applications, such as the mass integration of smart meters, rapid deployment of distributed photovoltaic installations, and comprehensive microgrid management.

Conclusion

Cemig's partnership with Huawei signifies a groundbreaking move towards a more resilient energy distribution framework. As the company transitions from a traditional energy generation model to a dynamic integration of sources, networks, loads, and energy storage, this private wireless network will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of energy in Brazil. The collaboration exemplifies how technological advancements can transform an essential service, bringing about improved reliability and operational efficiency in the energy sector.

For more information, visit Huawei's case study.