Serena Energia and Harbor IT: fostering connection and automation in the renewable energy sector
Urban and industrial growth also drives an increased demand for energy sources. However, it is well known that the supply of fossil fuels, which are non-renewable energy sources and the foundation of Brazil's energy system, has been declining. In this context, the use of clean energy becomes increasingly important—not only for environmental preservation, as it utilizes natural, renewable, and abundant resources, but also for economic reasons. The implementation of renewable energy can enhance the competitiveness of companies and the country, as these resources are more affordable and plentiful.
Serena Energia is a company dedicated to the generation of electric power, focusing on renewable energy sources that enable sustainable growth. Founded in 2008, it operates under strict ethical, operational, economic, and sustainability standards, without compromising on excellence in service execution. The company has projects in Maranhão, Piauí, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, and Rio de Janeiro, currently operating with an installed capacity of 476.2 MW of energy.
With a complex of 8 operational plants, one under construction, and a new solar plant acquisition, Serena requires impeccable interconnection between its energy production centers, its administrative office in São Paulo, and the regulatory bodies of the sector. To achieve efficient connection and automation, an extensive project was developed by Harbor IT in collaboration with the company's CFO, directors, and managers. Everything was carefully planned and developed in close partnership with Serena Energia's internal stakeholders to ensure the company's real needs were effectively addressed.
The major challenge of this project was the lack of infrastructure in the implementation locations, which are generally far from urban centers. In addition to the difficulty of finding suitable links and providers in these regions, the logistics of transporting equipment and deploying professionals on-site also presented significant complexity. These challenges were overcome thanks to the commitment, availability, and expertise of everyone involved.
Harbor IT conducted action planning based on an assessment of the existing networks and the development of an equipment script. In alignment with the client's demands and expectations, Cisco LAN, WAN, and security networks were implemented across the 8 operational plants, and the same technologies will be used in the new units. To ensure the necessary interaction, switches were used to connect the collector network, and an ASA firewall was deployed to redirect information traffic between the satellite link and a backup VPN. After installing and configuring all the equipment, including the site-to-site VPN with the relevant regulatory bodies, countless tests were conducted to ensure the system's efficiency.
As a result, Serena Energia achieved increased productivity and efficiency, improved internal processes through digitalization, and cost optimization, leading to reduced expenses.