Challenge
The constantly growing number of feed-ins by EEG plants into local power grids with the simultaneous increase in demand for charging points for electric vehicles poses great challenges for conventional power grids. In order to maintain an overview as a local network operator and thus increase the reliability of the network, LoraWAN gateways and "WLAN" access points are operated in local network stations in addition to mobile routers such as the Welotec TK815L. A not insignificant challenge with these additionally introduced technologies is to attach the required antennas to the widely distributed and publicly accessible ONS. When using these high-frequency wireless technologies, mounting the antennas in the stations is only possible with very strong signal levels. The alternative outdoor mounting of three to five rod antennas also has many disadvantages, both technically and visually. In this case, both the risk of sabotage / vandalism and an additional risk of injury are very high.Multifunctional antenna solution from Welotec
With the LPCA antenna from Welotec GmbH, Schleswig-Holstein Netz AG has chosen a future-oriented multifunctional antenna solution that significantly reduces the risk of injury and vandalism and at the same time enables optimised LTE, LoRaWAN and WiFi reception.
Thanks to the flat and robust design of the LPCA antenna, it offers no point of attack for vandalism and the antenna cables are also protected by a mounting thread, routed inside the ONS, and are thus inaccessible to third parties. The standard version of the LPCA antenna has a black housing. On request, however, it can also be adapted to the RAL colour of the stations concerned. This makes the LPCA antenna visually part of the station and therefore no longer perceived as an external antenna.
Using a selection of mounting extensions, the LPCA can be mounted directly on surfaces with a wall thickness of up to 163 mm. This allows a wide range of applications from simple steel control cabinets to concrete stations and old tower stations. In addition, the LPCA antennas can also be equipped with LTE450 antenna modules and thus realise the connection for the LTE450 network, which is still under construction.
About Schleswig-Holstein Netz AG
As the operator of electricity and gas pipelines in approx. 900 municipalities throughout Schleswig-Holstein, Schleswig-Holstein NETZ AG is responsible for the flawless and safe operation of the energy networks throughout the state. In the course of the energy transition, the company is also focusing on renewable energy generation plants, which is why several tens of thousands of plants have been connected to the grids in recent years. With 1400 employees, who are represented throughout the federal state as well as in the central grid control centre, around 48,000 km of high, medium and low voltage grids as well as 15,000 km of gas and 7,500 km of communication networks are operated throughout Schleswig-Holstein. In particular, the excellent networking of the specialists and experts across the entire state enables a smooth technical supply to the municipalities and communities - even during major storms and severe weather.
