IoT Framework Integration Supports Energy Digitalisation

Energy infrastructure operators are increasingly integrating IoT and edge computing to manage distributed assets and enable data-driven operations. In this context, SECO S.p.A. and Hitachi Energy have expanded their collaboration with a multiyear agreement to deploy the Clea framework within Hitachi Energy’s Energy Connect platform.

Consolidating energy data into a unified platform
Energy systems such as transformers, battery storage units, and electric vehicle chargers generate continuous streams of operational data across geographically distributed networks. Managing this data requires platforms capable of secure ingestion, aggregation, and processing in real time.

Hitachi Energy is consolidating its existing digital platforms into a unified environment designed for the energy sector. The integration of SECO’s Clea framework into the Energy Connect platform supports this transition by enabling structured data handling across distributed assets while maintaining system reliability and cost efficiency.

Role of Clea in device connectivity and lifecycle management
The Clea software framework is integrated into Hitachi Energy’s industrial IoT data acquisition and ingestion platform. It supports secure data transfer and lifecycle management of connected devices, enabling monitoring, configuration, and updates across deployed assets.

Lifecycle management functions contribute to improved asset utilization by enabling continuous tracking of device status and performance. This supports operational planning, workforce allocation, and maintenance scheduling based on real-time data inputs.

The platform is designed to operate across both cloud-based and on-premises environments, allowing deployment flexibility depending on infrastructure and regulatory requirements.

Hardware-agnostic deployment across energy infrastructure
The solution is designed to run on SECO-developed devices as well as on existing installed hardware and third-party systems. This hardware-agnostic approach enables integration across heterogeneous environments and supports retrofitting of legacy infrastructure without requiring full system replacement.

Such flexibility is particularly relevant in energy networks, where long asset lifecycles and mixed hardware environments are common. By enabling interoperability, the platform supports gradual digitalisation without disrupting existing operations.

Supporting data-driven operations in the digital supply chain
The integration of Clea within Energy Connect aligns with broader trends in the digital supply chain, where operational data from connected assets is used to optimize performance and decision-making.

By enabling continuous data collection and processing, the platform supports applications such as predictive maintenance, load management, and system performance monitoring. These capabilities contribute to more efficient operation of energy infrastructure and improved resource allocation.

Long-term collaboration and deployment scope
The multiyear agreement follows an initial development and integration phase lasting one year, during which the Clea framework was tested and aligned with platform requirements.

The expanded collaboration positions Clea as a core component of Hitachi Energy’s digital platform strategy, combining SECO’s expertise in edge computing and IoT software with Hitachi Energy’s focus on electrification and grid technologies. The deployment is intended to support the scalable and secure digitalisation of energy systems across multiple applications.

Edited by Aishwarya Mambet, Induportals Editor, with AI assistance.

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