Long Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN) is a wireless technology used worldwide for data transmission in the Internet of Things (IoT) environment – a connected world of smart devices. The technology is known for its extremely high energy efficiency, large range (2 to 15 km) and the highest security standards. It enables data transport even in areas where conventional mobile network standards such as GSM or Wi-Fi are unavailable.
Potsdam is set to receive the digital radio network known as LoRaWAN. This independent infrastructure is being developed jointly with the Potsdam municipal utilities for the entire city area. Sensors from various urban stakeholders will provide real-time data that can also be accessed by the public. The network will help drive innovations in supply and disposal, traffic and climate/environmental protection. The data collected will be visualised in the Urban Data Platform (UDP) – the central data marketplace – thereby closely linking both sub-measures.
Since the project began, the following use cases have already been tested:
- Innovative water management for climate adaptation and the preservation of green spaces and historic parks in Potsdam (InnoWasPo)
- Climate monitoring, i.e. measuring soil moisture, air and ground temperature, solar radiation and CO2 levels (in cooperation with the Biosphäre Potsdam)
- Indoor climate monitoring in schools and other public buildings, monitoring of parking spaces with charging stations
As the project progresses, a further focus will be placed on water-related issues. To this end, sensors have been acquired to measure groundwater and surface water levels, as well as water quality, and additional gateways (nodes or transition points from one sensor network to another) have been installed and integrated into the existing networks.
Contact AG Smart City: AG-Smart-City@rathaus.potsdam.de
