Smarter and secure remote operation and automation of Heathrow’s private wire electricity distribution network

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The project will comprise of a desktop study that will be carried out in the below four phases:**Phase 1: Analysis and review of Heathrow's existing remote operation technologies and processes**We will review and analyse the existing SCADA and remote operation systems at Heathrow Airport. We will identify under normal operating conditions how the technology is used for safe and secure operation, the processes involved, and the staff critical interactions with the systems. This will give a clear benchmark of what is normal practice at Heathrow Airport.**Phase 2: Identifying needs in constraint environment (COVID 19 etc.)**We will focus on the constraints that the COVID 19 situation is placing on the operation of Heathrow's network and the impact on critical staff for the operation of the network. The impact on normal maintenance operations will additionally be identified, and also consider scenarios where further impacts on staff could lead to detrimental impacts on operating the network at Heathrow.We will carry out this data gathering through telephone calls and video conferencing.**Phase 3: Innovative technology and market study -- review of commercially available solutions**The SCADA market has been continuously expanding and a number of suppliers are now offering remote applications for monitoring of programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and remote terminal unit (RTUs). More importantly, the desired solution should not only address the challenges identified in the COVID-19 environment but should also be useful in other restrictions for many years into the future.As part of this study, we would also focus on how the innovative solution could place Heathrow in a more resilient and competitive position. The options would include the following:1. Ability to operate the infrastructure with limited availability of control engineers2. Ability to carry out switching operations remotely or with the help from the control room3. Ability to switch off the electricity network to reduce losses and energy costsThe study would consider implementing the following technologies:1. The Internet of Things (IoT)2. Augmented Reality3. Virtual Reality4. Artificial Intelligence**Phase 4: Final Report**The final output of the study would be a comprehensive report that will recommend technologies, processes and tools which could be adopted at Heathrow along with a vision of what a smarter remote operation system might look for working through a pandemic situation such as being faced with COVID 19\.