Evergy deploys management solution for its private LTE network

Evergy, which provides electricity to 1.7 million customers in Kansas and Missouri, is beefing up its private LTE network security through a deal with a private cellular network security.

OneLayer, which manages and secures enterprise private 5G/LTE Operational Technology (OT) networks, announced the selection of its OneLayer Bridge private LTE network device management and zero trust security platform by Evergy in a multi-year deal. 

Evergy recently completed its transition from pilot and testing to preparations for a rollout for operational use. Evergy’s “fast-growing” private LTE cellular networks use thousands of devices today, including Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, smart meters, OT, and other cellular devices. In the next few years, the number of devices is planned to scale to the tens of thousands, OneLayer said.

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“With this widespread rollout, we needed a way to manage the growing number of OT devices using our private cellular network,” says J.J. Stutler, manager, Wireless Engineering & Operations at Evergy. “We required automation and delegation of various device onboarding steps to different Evergy teams, alongside complete visibility to all devices at all times. OneLayer did all of that, in addition to providing operations and security frameworks for our private LTE networks and connected devices. With OneLayer, Evergy is now better equipped to deliver reliable power to customers and fulfill the potential of its strategic sustainability transformation plan for its customers and stakeholders.”

The implementation of OneLayer’s platform is meant to result in savings for Evergy in the areas of asset management, operations and network management.

OneLayer’s asset management capabilities include automating device onboarding, provisioning, profiling, classifying and activation. OneLayer also enables delegating onboarding steps to different teams, enabling users to scale their network by creating autonomy for different teams, alongside maintaining oversight of what devices are onboarded.

Visibility and tracking of all devices connected to the network – even non-cellular devices connected via cellular routers – will enable Evergy to assess performance and uptime of devices and routers, conduct vendor comparisons at scale and adjust Quality of Service (QoS) dynamically for different groups of devices or situations, OneLayer said.

OneLayer provides Evergy with end-to-end, zero-trust security that aims to extend Evergy’s existing security frameworks, established segmentation standards, and regulatory requirements to the private LTE domain.

“OneLayer sees Evergy’s team as visionaries, professionals, mission-oriented, and focused on their business needs,” explains Dave Mor, OneLayer CEO. “OneLayer is here to support Evergy’s journey to success. Our maintenance of strong relationships with private LTE vendors, like Ericsson and CPE vendors ensures continuous support for upgraded products and enhanced capabilities. This approach allows Evergy to benefit not only from existing efficiencies but also to stay prepared for evolving challenges and opportunities in the private LTE landscape.”

For years, utilities relied on networks owned and operated by the same third-party telecommunication firms that offer cellular service to millions: AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and US Cellular, to name a few. And they were sharing limited bandwidth with the masses and could be subjected to the same outages as their customers.

The energy transition demanded utilities take control of their telecommunication infrastructure. Many, among them San Diego Gas & Electric, Evergy, Ameren, Xcel Energy, Tampa Electric, and Southern Company, have turned to private LTE networks for internal communications, as well as the management of millions of devices in the field, like sensors, smart meters, and digital substations. And it’s not just the big investor-owned utilities, either: Last year, Lower Colorado River Authority became the first non-IOU to jump on board.

It’s estimated that private cellular networks for utilities will account for nearly $2 billion in cumulative infrastructure spending between 2023 and 2026, according to a report from ResearchAndMarkets.com, which shows private 5G/4G cellular networks are rapidly gaining popularity across a diverse range of vertical industries.

The utilities sector is no exception to this trend and the report forecasts global spending on dedicated cellular networks to grow at a CAGR of 15% over the next three years. The utility networks range from wide area 3GPP networks – operating in 410 MHz, 450 MHz, 900 MHz, and other sub-1 GHz spectrum bands – for smart grid communications, to purpose-built 5G and LTE networks aimed at providing localised wireless connectivity in critical infrastructure facilities such as power plants, substations, and offshore wind farms.

American utility companies have made substantial investments in acquiring 900 MHz and 3.5 GHz CBRS PAL (Priority Access License) spectrum within their service territories. Ameren, Evergy, Hawaiian Electric, LCRA (Lower Colorado River Authority), SCE (Southern California Edison), SDG&E (San Diego Gas & Electric), Southern Company, and Xcel Energy are among the growing number of utilities that are implementing 3GPP-based private wireless networks in support of grid modernisation programmes.

Originally published on power-grid.com