Big Data represents an immense source of information, which is also useful in the management of power plants. To harness the potential of this distributed intelligence, it is necessary to use technology capable of analysing and translating this wealth of information. This needs to be done in a way that makes the management of power plants (both conventional and renewable), the distribution grid and final consumption more efficient, thereby generating value-added services for smart cities.

The Israeli company n-Join has developed plug-and-play solutions capable of monitoring raw data streams within a network in order to identify mechanical interactions and transform the received data into meaningful information. This data can be used to create management and behavioural analysis models, with the aim of predicting how to maintain efficiency in management and diagnostic operations. The system is able to analyse both historical and real-time data.

Thanks to the data that n-Join gathers, it is possible to structure more flexible processes and production lines, with a focus on sustainability. This unique technology has led to the design of a device capable of autonomously analysing the various operations of a production plant. What’s more, by recording all the data, this tool makes it possible to “learn” continuously and adapt to the different situations that occur over the years.

For Enel, and in particular for its renewable energy plants, Big Data is one of the key elements, alongside smart grids, electronic meters, sensors and the Internet of Things, that make it possible not only to predict daily production from renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, but also to estimate consumers’ energy needs, and thus balance supply and demand.

A solution like n-Join is perfectly in line with the Group’s objectives: collaboration with the Israeli startup has led to the development of software for the analysis of production plant and machinery data. The results provide information for predictive maintenance, as well as taking a snapshot of the status of production facilities. With its application to Enel power plants, this technology, which until now has been implemented only at factories, is also being adapted for the first time to power plants