Barbara, a key player in EasyDC-FOS, delivering Edge Infrastructure for real-time data processing in High Voltage Power Transmission systems

‍EasyDC-FOS, a European-funded project, is revolutionizing High Voltage Power Transmission by developing advanced HVDC cables equipped with intelligent monitoring features based on fibre optic sensors. These include partial discharge sensing, temperature sensing, acoustic sensing, and vibration sensors.

The data collected by these sensors will feed sophisticated algorithms for cable aging prediction, transmission capacity assessment, and fault location, enabling predictive and intelligent management of the entire cable system.

All technologies will be integrated into a distributed Edge Infrastructure, significantly strengthening the cybersecurity of the monitoring environment and ensuring robust protection and fast, efficient responses to potential threats. ‍

Barbara’s Edge Platform plays a key role by orchestrating and managing applications and edge devices remotely while ensuring data sovereignty, security, and operational efficiency.

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Addressing Europe's Energy Challenges

As energy supply uncertainty and geopolitical volatility grow, reducing external energy dependence has become a top priority for Europe. EasyDC-FOS is designed to address these challenges by developing advanced HVDC cabling technologies that will enhance industrial capabilities in Europe and strengthen the Smart Grids value chain.

The performance of the new HVDC cables and monitoring technologies will be assessed under real operating conditions, thus laying the groundwork for future large-scale deployment across the EU.

These technological innovations will be integrated into a distributed edge infrastructure, significantly strengthening the cybersecurity of the entire monitoring system and ensuring a fast and efficient response to potential threats or vulnerabilities.

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EasyDC-FOS is a key step toward strengthening Europe’s energy independence and Smart Grid value chain, paving the way for large-scale, secure, and sustainable power systems.

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Barbara’s Role in EasyDC-FOS

Cybersecure Infrastructure for Edge Monitoring

Barbara provides an Edge Infrastructure that complies with critical infrastructure cybersecurity requirements, ensuring fast, efficient responses to potential threats and safeguarding the integrity of Europe’s energy transmission networks.

Edge Orchestration and Secure Management

Barbara’s Edge Platform orchestrates and manages distributed applications and devices remotely, guaranteeing data sovereignty and secure interoperability across partners and systems.

Intelligent Monitoring and Predictive Maintenance

Barbara delivers its Edge Technology to process data from advanced sensors in real time. This enables the creation of predictive aging models, allowing the system to anticipate potential failures and optimize maintenance operations.

The power of Barbara’s technology lies in its ability to process real-time data locally and securely, allowing AI models to be continuously trained and redeployed at the edge. This is essential for maintaining predictive accuracy and operational efficiency in critical infrastructures like high-voltage power transmission.

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At the heart of this initiative, Barbara provides the Edge Intelligence Layer that connects advanced monitoring technologies with real-time data processing and AI-driven insights. By powering intelligent, secure, and decentralized monitoring, Barbara is helping to build the digital backbone of tomorrow’s energy value chain — one that is more sustainable, autonomous, and resilient.

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A Collaborative Effort Across Europe

EasyDC-FOS is coordinated by Lumiker, a leader in passive photonic sensor technology and fibre optic monitoring solutions. The project brings together 13 partners across Europe, including:

• Barbara – Edge computing platform for distributed, cybersecure device management

• Nexans – Leading manufacturer of HVDC cables

• Ampacimon – Network monitoring solutions expert

• AP Sensing – Developer of distributed fibre optic sensing products

• Energinet – Danish electricity and gas transmission operator

• Statnett – Norwegian grid operator

• RDT Ingenieros – Specialists in thermal and fluid dynamic simulation

• GreenDelta – Sustainability consultancy and software developer

• University of Cantabria – Experts in modeling and predictive maintenance

• University of Valladolid – Developers of monitoring tools

• Zabala – Innovation consultants

• Basque Energy Cluster – Responsible for communication, dissemination, and exploitation

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Ongoing Progress and Technical Advances

In recent months, significant progress has been achieved within Work Package 7, where Barbara leads the development of the edge infrastructure and cybersecurity mechanisms that form the backbone of the EasyDC-FOS digital environment.

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‍Under Task 7.1

‍Cybersecurity Mechanisms, compliance with the IEC-62443 standard has been completed and fully documented. The cybersecurity framework developed by Barbara includes a comprehensive requirements analysis based on feedback from Transmission System Operators (TSOs). It also integrates specific considerations for AI security, ensuring the trustworthy deployment of intelligent algorithms at the edge. Furthermore, the team has completed an extensive review of applicable cybersecurity standards and implemented key functionalities to enhance system protection.

These include strengthened Edge Gateways, advanced data encryption methods, robust device identity management using certificates, and a secure provisioning and boot process with TPM-based firmware verification. Additional mechanisms such as Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), system integrity monitoring, and data sovereignty assurance have also been incorporated. To ensure real-world alignment, a compliance checklist and structured feedback process have been established with TSOs, enabling continuous improvement of the system design and implementation.

Within Task 7.2

Orchestration Mechanisms, the laboratory infrastructure for orchestration testing is approaching completion and is expected to be finalized by the end of the year. Integration work is progressing steadily, including the deployment of connectors to facilitate communication with the LMK interrogator, AMP PD, and AP Sensing systems. Additionally, AMP’s virtual machine has been deployed within the Edge Environment, marking the beginning of application orchestration activities.

The deliverable for this task outlines the design of the Edge-to-Cloud orchestration agent, which defines the key system configuration and deployment functionalities, along with operational and environmental constraints, and details related to lifecycle management and maintenance strategies.

Finally, Task 7.3

MLOps/AIOps Techniques is focused on analyzing and preparing the deployment of machine learning algorithms within the Edge Infrastructure. Current efforts aim to understand the progress achieved by research partners in algorithm development and to identify the technical requirements necessary for efficient edge deployment.

This work ensures that AI models can be deployed, monitored, and continuously improved in a secure and automated manner, maintaining optimal performance and reliability throughout the system’s lifecycle.

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Real-World Validation in Norway and Denmark

By 2027, EasyDC-FOS will validate its outcomes at two demonstration sites in Norway and Denmark, with the support of Transmission System Operators (TSOs), Energinet and Statnett. These pilots will assess the new HVDC cables and monitoring technologies under real-world conditions, establishing the foundation for large-scale deployment across Europe.

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Looking Ahead

Barbara continues to lead the cybersecure edge computing and orchestration framework of EasyDC-FOS, paving the way for a resilient, intelligent, and sustainable European energy infrastructure.

The next milestones include completing the integration tests, finalizing cybersecurity compliance, and preparing the AI-based predictive models for deployment at the demonstration sites.

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