Evaluation of 5G Campus Network in a Solar Heliostat Field

Kurzfassung

Wireless communication is undergoing a fundamental change as a result of the deployment of 5G technology. The world is witnessing a revolution as 5G technology which offers enough data speeds, incredibly low latency, and compatibility for a large number of connected devices. Apart from its primary function of allowing fast mobile communication, 5G technology has an increased range of applications, potentially opening up the prospect of utilizing 5G in many industrial settings. 5G network adaptability encourages creativity and opens doors for new services across a range of sectors, such as manufacturing, smart cities, healthcare, education, and, in this case, renewable energy. Concentrating solar power (CSP) plants are an important part of providing a climate-neutral energy supply to the world. The ability to store hightemperature heat leads to a cost reduction in the electricity mix with photovoltaics and wind energy. Concentrating solar systems depend on direct solar radiation, which is economically available in the Earth's solar belt. But if CSP installations have become increasingly common, both effort and cost must decrease. The cabling cost can be reduced by using wireless communication. The best possible solution, considering all the pros and cons of using other wireless technologies, is the 5G campus network because of its vast possibilities and latest technical properties. Wiring heliostat fields for solar tower plants is a cost consideration that becomes a priority when the main end target is to reduce the overall cost. Wireless heliostats with radio communication and autonomous energy supply have been proposed in the past. However, none of the communication systems examined so far could feasibly scale to commercial-sized plants with tens of thousands of heliostats. Furthermore, the digitization of CSP facilities, including numerous mobile and permanent sensor systems, necessitates appropriate data connectivity. The latest generation of mobile radio communication, the 5G network, is capable of handling a wide range of end users, including a large number of units with low data rates such as heliostats and a small number of units with very large data volumes such as drone-based camera systems, as well as a tablet in case of any activity that can be done in the field rather than always returning to the control station to change the heliostats. Therefore, this thesis aims to perform validation and evaluate the combination of infrastructure for renewable energy and the 5G campus network, or the current wired network. In recent years, the global shift towards sustainable energy solutions has led to the establishment of solar heliostat fields as one of the most efficient means of collecting solar power. The background of this thesis lies in the potential transformative impact the 5G campus network can have on the communication between the control station of the Heliostat field and all the end users. By evaluating the usage of both the current wired network setup and the new 5G campus network, we can validate and check if the 5G campus network is really a solution. Another goal is to assess the performance and efficiency of a 5G campus network in facilitating communication in the solar heliostat field. This includes evaluating network resilience and coverage range to determine whether the network is appropriate for real-time monitoring and control applications. Validation of both wired and wireless networks helps us investigate their economic feasibility while increasing their utility and advantages.