How could 5G
help to redefine
and transform
Industrial IoT?

Industrial IoT (IIoT) is the future of heavy industries in the digital era. It encompasses the use of prolific smart sensors, connectivity and data analytics to transform "dumb machines" into "smart" data-harvesting ones for improved efficiency, customer experience and much more. The potential of industrial IoT will be unleashed by the superfast speeds and, crucially, low latency and higher bandwidth that 5G can provide. Together, IIoT and 5G can bring about a new era of industrial automation and efficiency for real, quantifiable benefits in a number of sectors. Let's explore how.

Due to decentralization, decarbonization and digitization, utilities are undergoing unprecedented change. Thankfully, industrial IoT and 5G can help offer new solutions to help with challenges they are facing.

Omnipresent Internet-connected sensors can enable advanced monitoring, mapping and control of grid infrastructure—including creating digital twins—to provide granular data that utilities can then use to derive actionable insights. This could include critical maintenance and where weak spots can be impacted by extreme weather events. For example, in power plants and for pipe infrastructure, sensors can help identify issues before they fully manifest.

Fully connected grid infrastructure, with IoT devices deployed throughout the grid, can also help support the shift to a more decentralized energy system by enabling such detailed oversight that more granular shifts of energy flows (depending on real-time and anticipated energy supply and demand factors) are possible. This can help to shore-up security of supply and maximize storage. Access to this high quality data also supports greater automation for improved efficiency and productivity.

Here are a few innovative IIoT use cases in utilities:

• Sensors to provide near-real time monitoring for end-to-end power grid infrastructure.
• Methane sensors are able to instantly detect a gas leak in the basement of a home, including during a hurricane.
• Load disaggregation solutions can offer preferred rates to customers who charge electric vehicles at certain times to balance the use of the utility grid.

The complexity and vastness of utility infrastructure that often spans across remote locations can benefit from a wireless, high-bandwidth solution, such as 5G, which can help support the management of a large number of devices and reach the areas that optical fiber can't—often called the last mile.

Manufacturing perhaps holds some of the greatest promise for implementation of industrial IoT. Connecting and automating the factory floor can increase productivity, efficiency and, in turn, annual turnover.

In fact, according to analysis by Global Data, the manufacturing sector already accounts for around 31% of 5G and private network deployments. As the analytics and consulting company notes, 5G and private cellular networks highly benefit mission-critical digital applications that require guaranteed bandwidth and low latency. This can include self-driving forklifts on the factory floor and fully automating machines and reassigning some people to safer, more efficient operations.

Remote monitoring of machinery with 5G connected sensors can support machine analytics that drives predictive maintenance, avoiding costly shut-downs that are only worsening with long supply chain delays for critical parts. 5G private networks can also free machines from costly physical cable connections, making it easier to change assembly lines for new revenue opportunities, such as making car customization cheaper and easier.

5G and massive IoT could offer a variety of new functions to distribution and logistics companies, including granular tracking and traceability.

Together, these technologies could enable real-time tracking of parcels and pallets for both distribution companies and customers. This is night and day compared with the current process of parcels only being logged at several few-and-far between locations. Not only should this provide an up-to-date picture of distribution and help to address the challenge of last-mile logistics, but it could flag bottlenecks and other issues before they become major problems. High-value or precious goods could be used to authenticate their origin so that customers can be reassured they are getting the real deal. They could also be used to monitor a variety of critical factors, such as temperature and other conditions.

Additionally, as one pallet of goods is in transit, 5G connected sensors could send back real-time information about journey times, traffic surge spots or changes in ambient temperature. Such information is particularly pertinent for just-in-time deliveries and can also be shared with partners within the supply chain.