[Satellite TODAY 09-13-10] SES Astra and Italian integrator Digitaria have partnered to develop an energy monitoring system using Newtec‘s Sat3Play technology for connecting remote sites in Italy, the companies announced Sept. 10.
    The Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system will connect about 5,000 renewable energy plants over satellite links to provide a sophisticated monitoring and forecasting capability for Italy’s gas and electricity authority.
    SES Astra provided the system’s interactive satellite broadband links via the Astra2Connect service to the Newtec Sat3Play hubs and terminals at the remote sites, to allow the system to collect data from wind, hydroelectric and solar plants through telemetry and video surveillance.
    The project is managed by a consortium of SES Astra; Digitaria, the Astra2Connect service distributor in Italy; and Calzavara, a system integrator specializing in telecommunications, with extensive experience in serving the renewable and alternative energy sectors. The program is controlled by the Italian government agency Gestore dei Servizi Energetici.