BREAKING NEWS

Lockdown constraints amid second wave of Covid-19 a downside risk for electricity demand: ICRA

Lockdown constraints amid second wave of Covid-19 a downside risk for electricity demand: ICRA

Interview

EXECUTIVE VICE CHAIRMAN

( CYANCONNODE INDIA )

MR. AJOY RAJANI

Q.How does the company’s vision and mission align with the opportunities and challenges in the rapidly evolving IoT landscape?

 CyanConnode’s vision aligns closely with the evolving IoT landscape, particularly in smart metering and smart grids. In a world where energy management demands real-time data, interoperability, and seamless integration, our communication solutions are designed to address these needs with precision and reliability. Through innovations like the Omnimesh platform, we empower utilities to optimize their operations by ensuring secure, scalable, and efficient communication across diverse terrains and devices. This focus on smart metering and grid modernization allows us to directly tackle challenges such as energy efficiency, grid reliability, and data-driven decision-making. As IoT continues to reshape industries, CyanConnode remains at the forefront, driving the digital transformation of energy infrastructure and enabling utilities to meet the growing demand for smarter, more sustainable energy systems.

 

 Q.Could you give us some insights into the company’s strategy for scaling IoT networks in large-scale deployments, particularly in applications like smart cities or industrial applications?

CyanConnode’s strategy is focused on delivering reliable, adaptable, and efficient communication solutions. At the core of this strategy is our Omnimesh platform, which leverages a scalable, self-forming, and self-healing mesh architecture. This ensures that networks maintain consistent performance and reliability as they expand, even in complex urban or industrial settings. To address the unique challenges of large-scale deployments, we have developed long-range RF technology capable of providing robust connectivity across vast and challenging terrains. Our Unified Head-End System (UHES) also offers a unified platform for integrating and managing diverse IoT devices and communication technologies. These innovations simplify operations, enhance scalability, and ensure seamless interoperability for future expansions. With a strong focus on security, our solutions incorporate advanced encryption protocols and global standard compliance to safeguard data integrity and network resilience. By driving such innovations, CyanConnode is well-positioned to enable the efficient scaling of IoT networks, contributing to the success of smart cities and industrial ecosystems globally.

 

Q.How important is security in a company’s IoT solutions, and what measures do you take to protect both data and devices within your networks?

Security is a cornerstone of CyanConnode’s IoT solutions, ensuring the safety and reliability of smart metering and grid communication networks. We employ a Swiss Cheese security model, which uses multiple overlapping layers of protection to address potential vulnerabilities. This approach ensures that even if one layer is breached, others provide defence, creating a robust security framework. Our solutions secure data and devices through end-to-end encryption, ensuring that information remains protected across the network. Regular security audits and strict compliance with global standards, such as ISO 27001, further enhance trust and reliability. By combining advanced technologies with a layered security approach, CyanConnode ensures that its networks are resilient against evolving threats, enabling utilities to deliver efficient and secure services to their customers confidently.

 

Q.Will you shed light on some of your company’s applications, such as smart lighting control, smart electricity metering, and others?

CyanConnode specializes in providing advanced communication solutions that empower a range of smart applications:

• Smart Electricity Metering: Our flagship Omnimesh IoT supports utilities in deploying smart meters that enable real-time energy monitoring, reduce losses, and improve billing accuracy. These systems play a crucial role in modernizing energy grids, driving efficiency, and supporting the integration of renewable energy sources.

• Smart Lighting Control: CyanConnode’s communication solutions can integrate with smart street lighting systems, enabling remote monitoring and control. This allows cities to optimize energy usage, reduce operational costs, and enhance sustainability.

 • IoT-Enabled Applications: Our solutions extend beyond metering and lighting to other smart city initiatives, such as water and gas metering, electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, and environmental monitoring. Our technologies ensure seamless communication across devices, supporting efficient operations and data-driven decisionmaking. By delivering reliable, scalable, and secure communication networks, CyanConnode enables these applications to function cohesively, supporting the development of smarter, more sustainable cities worldwide.

 

Q.Could you share any recent developments or innovations your company has made in narrowband IoT technology?

CyanConnode constantly innovates to address utilities’ diverse needs and ensure reliable, efficient, and scalable solutions. Our latest advancements demonstrate our commitment to transforming smart metering and IoT ecosystems.

• In-Meter Gateways: In-meter gateways integrate communication systems directly into meters, dynamically adapting to network conditions. They can form part of a mesh network or switch to cellular backhaul when necessary, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity across varied environments. By eliminating external devices, these gateways reduce costs, enhance tamper resistance, and strengthen data security, making them indispensable for scalable deployments.

• Long-Range Radio Technology: Our longrange radio modules provide reliable communication over distances of up to 10 kilometers, ideal for rural and remote areas. This innovation minimizes infrastructure needs while ensuring seamless connectivity, enabling efficient and cost-effective deployments.

• AI-Powered Cellular Solutions: Equipped with dual-SIM technology, our AI-driven cellular modules ensure continuous connectivity by automatically selecting the strongest network. Features like store-andforward functionality maintain data integrity during outages, significantly improving reliability and service levels.

 • Unified Head-End System (UHES): The UHES platform supports RF, cellular, and PLC technologies within a unified interface, simplifying network management and ensuring seamless scalability. It enables utilities to efficiently manage diverse devices, reduce operational complexity, and futureproof their smart metering infrastructure.

 

Q.How does the company assess the long-term operational cost savings of its solutions for clients, especially in energy-intensive industries?

 CyanConnode’s solutions deliver significant longterm operational cost savings while offering additional value in revenue augmentation, environmental sustainability, and technological resilience. Here’s how our solutions create value for Discoms:

• Revenue Augmentation: Automating billing and accurate data collection reduces energy losses and improves cash flow through realtime and error-free invoicing.

• Cost Savings: Automation minimizes manual intervention, optimizes resource utilization, and reduces maintenance and operational costs across diverse environments.

• Operational Efficiency: Real-time monitoring and advanced analytics identify issues proactively, minimizing wastage, enhancing grid reliability, and lowering downtime. Automated disconnection/reconnection processes streamline customer management, improving service delivery.

 • Environmental Sustainability: Eliminating Manual readings and optimizing grid performance reduces carbon emissions and enables renewable energy integration, supporting a greener and more sustainable energy ecosystem.

• Technological Resilience: CyanConnode’s Omnimesh platform delivers over 99.5% uptime, ensuring unmatched reliability even under challenging conditions. It drives uninterrupted operations and instills confidence in smart grid systems.

• Proactive Insights and Anomaly Detection: Automated reports and analytics help utilities detect and resolve anomalies before they escalate, ensuring uninterrupted and efficient grid operations.

 

Q.What are some of the future goals or innovations your company is pursuing to maintain its leadership in the IoT industry?

 CyanConnode is committed to driving innovation and enhancing scalability, reliability, and sustainability. Our future goals and innovations include:

• Advancing Communication Technologies: We continuously refine our Omnimesh platform to ensure seamless connectivity across challenging terrains and diverse deployment scenarios.

• AI-Powered Solutions: We are integrating AIdriven functionalities into our communication systems to enhance reliability, reduce operational downtime, and improve decisionmaking.

• Global Expansion and Localization: We continue to expand our footprint in emerging markets by adapting our solutions to meet local regulatory and operational requirements, ensuring reliable communication networks for utilities worldwide