Vehicle based internet access solutions for remote locations

The Innovation Exchange programme is working alongside SSE Renewables Hydro, the owner and operator of north Scotland’s hydro-electric assets. SSE is looking to engage innovators to provide solutions which enable the use of company vehicles as reliable communications hubs for their operational staff in remote locations.

Opportunity

Challenge opens

29/11/2022

Challenge closes

17/01/2023

Benefit

SSE Renewables Hydro is looking to use open innovation to find solutions which enable the use of company vehicles as reliable communications hubs for their operational staff in remote locations to access the internet. Successful applicants will be given the opportunity to pitch their innovation to SSE. Selected solution(s) will be trialled at SSE Renewables Hydro sites, with the possibility of further adoption upon successful trials.

Background

SSE Renewables Hydro is the owner and operator of eight hydro schemes in the north of Scotland, with a portfolio totalling 1,459MW, including 300MW of pumped storage and 750MW of flexible hydro. SSE Renewables Hydro are also developing the 1,500MW Coire Glas pumped storage scheme, should the project receive consent it would double the current storage capacity in Great Britain.

SSE Renewables Hydro’s assets are geographically dispersed, large in terms of ground coverage and often in remote or rural areas, which makes the problem of internet connectivity for staff particularly challenging. Currently SSE Renewables Hydro’s operations struggle with access to the internet when operating within the wider Hydro catchment areas . 

This lack of connectivity causes difficulty for the business to track staff & ensure safety, as there is not always reliable network coverage across the vast, remote areas in which their staff members work. Productivity is impacted as staff are not able to do their jobs as efficiently, due to having to travel to different locations to get a phone signal or internet connection to complete certain tasks. This extra travel in remote areas can also create additional risk for staff.

 

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