THE CHALLENGE
Energy Developments Ltd is a global producer of sustainable, distributed energy playing a key role in the world’s transition from traditional energy sources to a decarbonised solution. The power generation unit at Mucking Marshes Landfill Site harnesses landfill gas to produce 8 MW of energy. When EDL approached us in 2017 to restore their damaged fibre optic cabling link, we had no idea that it would lead to becoming a dedicated leased line relayed from Mucking, to a golf course in Kent, finally to Canary Wharf! The 400m fibre optic link to the power generation unit at Mucking Marshes Landfill Site needed to be replaced as traffic movement had irreparably damaged all of the fibre optic cables. We also discovered that the power source required to run the active equipment was also no longer in situ, meaning that if we had progressed with our sizeable order to run new cabling, it would not have worked. We therefore provided a suitable alternative, albeit at a considerably lesser commercial value to us!
THE SOLUTION
With our partners Skyline Networks, we carried out numerous surveys to try and establish a robust connection from Mucking to a point of presence (‘POP’) nearby. Skyline have many POPs in Thurrock and Basildon but do to the nature of the steep escarpment in Thurrock (that’s a word you haven’t heard since Geography lessons), no link could be guaranteed. Skyline’s team spotted one of their customers in Erith (a golf course) who turned out to be willing to bounce EDL’s signal off a mast by the 9th tee, up to Telehouse North in Canary Wharf. After considerable work within the exchange, a solid 100mbps connection was brought into service.
THE RESULTS
After a full year of having no leased line internet, and having to rely upon a 4G dongle for all data requirements, EDL have enjoyed a full 100Mbps dedicated leased line service for almost three years. Although we advised that the service could theoretically be affected by bad weather, there have been no interruptions during the service provision. The Service Level Agreement of 99.9% up-time has been achieved each year since installation.