Intelligent CIO Europe Issue 01 | Page 34

PROJECT UPDATE LATEST REGIONAL PROJECT UPDATE FRANCE In order to support the growing business demands of higher voltage testing, Nexans has decided to significantly enhance its testing capacity by building a new state-of-the-art direct current (DC) laboratory in Calais, France, that allows for the simultaneous testing of three independent qualification loops. This new laboratory is dedicated to HVDC cables, a market of primary importance for high-capacity links and connection of renewable energy sources, such as the Dolwin 6 offshore wind farm. For this large project brought to life by TenneT, Nexans Germany was recently awarded a contract to supply and install two 90-km- long HVDC cables that will transport up to 900 MW of wind power, enough to transmit the required amount of electricity to almost one million German homes. Dirk Steinbrink, Nexans’ Senior Executive Vice President, High Voltage and Underwater Cable Business Group, said: “With its new laboratory, the Calais Center of Excellence will be positioned as one of the leading hubs for helping our clients address the challenges of the future.” ITALY With the objective of building a ‘City 5G’, Open Fiber, a 50%stake in Enel and Cassa deposits and loans, and Wind Tre, will carry out an experimental project on 5G technology in the cities of Prato and L’Aquila, after winning the September announcement by the Ministry of Economic Development. Specifically, pre-commercial testing 5G will cover the 3.6–3.8 GHz spectrum portion in Prato and L’Aquila 2 area and will last up to December 31 2021. “The evolution of telecommunications is a fundamental step in the economic and social development of today’s Italy,” said Tommaso Pompei, Managing Director of Open Fiber. “The city of Prato inaugurated our 5G City model: a broad ecosystem open to citizens, public authorities, industry, universities and research centres with the aim of improving service efficiency and creating new opportunities for growth. That’s why we are proud to take part in this experiment together with Wind Tre, the numerous partners and centres of excellence that participate in the project.” 34 INTELLIGENTCIO www.intelligentcio.com