RFID for energy and utility industries

Although radio frequency identification (RFID) has been used for decades, the technology is just now gaining momentum in the energy industry. Power plants can employ RFID for everything from security for the workforce, tracking fuel consumption, and even monitoring plant exhaust. The applications for RFID are endless, and the technology is applicable in nearly every field. Lead authors Dipankar Sen, Prosenjit Sen, and Anand Das bring years of entrepreneurial experience with RFID technology to this primer for plant foremen, system engineers and those decision-makers looking to enhance operational efficiency.

Illustrations	p. xiii
Introduction	p. xix
1 RFID Technology	p. 1
Introduction	p. 1
Applications of RFID	p. 4
Architecture of an RFID System	p. 5
RFID Tags	p. 9
Active or passive tags	p. 12
Operating frequency	p. 13
Read only or read/write tags	p. 15
Kill or disable tags	p. 16
Security in tags	p. 16
RFID Readers	p. 17
RFID reader components	p. 18
Antenna	p. 19
Microcontroller	p. 22
Network interface	p. 24
Power source	p. 24
Stationary or portable readers	p. 24
Communication between Tags and RFID Readers	p. 27
RFID Printers	p. 29
RFID Middleware	p. 30
Applications	p. 33
Data integration	p. 35
Database	p. 36
Analyzing and reporting	p. 36
Presentation	p. 37
Security	p. 37
Security and Privacy	p. 38
Privacy issues	p. 39
Security considerations of an RFID system	p. 40
Physical security	p. 40
Malicious attacks and threats	p. 41
Authentication	p. 42
Encryption	p. 42
Firewall	p. 43
Disabling a tag	p. 43
Manageability and System Availability	p. 44
NFC Technology	p. 46
References	p. 48
2 Wireless Networking Technologies	p. 49
Introduction	p. 49
Categorization of wireless networks	p. 49
Evolution of wireless networks	p. 51
Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPANs)	p. 53
Architecture and components	p. 53
Relevant standards	p. 57
Cost considerations	p. 59
Typical applications	p. 59
Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs)	p. 60
Architecture and components	p. 61
Relevant standards	p. 63
Cost considerations	p. 64
Typical applications	p. 65
Wireless Metropolitan Area Networks (WMANs)	p. 67
Architecture and components	p. 67
Relevant standards	p. 68
Cost considerations	p. 70
Typical applications	p. 71
Wireless Wide Area Networks (WWANs)	p. 72
Architecture and components	p. 73
Relevant standards	p. 74
Cost considerations	p. 76
Typical applications	p. 77
Summary	p. 78
References	p. 78
3 Application of RFID and Wireless Technologies for Mobile Asset Management	p. 81
Business Process Challenges Addressed by Mobile Asset Tracking	p. 81
Tools and parts management	p. 81
Materials management/shelf-life management	p. 82
Hazardous materials (hazmat) management	p. 83
Lot control (tracking and traceability)	p. 83
Personnel tracking	p. 84
Fleet management	p. 85
Assembling an RFID Solution for Mobile Asset Tracking	p. 86
Site survey and RFID readiness	p. 86
Using EPCglobal Network for RFID data management	p. 89
EPCglobal Network software architecture components	p. 90
EPC Information Service (EPCIS)	p. 91
Object Name Service (ONS)	p. 91
ONS local cache	p. 92
Solution components	p. 92
Using RFID for Improved Warehouse Management	p. 93
Shelf-life management, hazmat control with RFID	p. 93
Powerful lot control	p. 93
Better warehousing and logistical operations	p. 96
Countering counterfeits and thefts	p. 98
Using RFID for In-transit Visibility	p. 99
Using passive RFID for in-transit visibility	p. 101
Global and local wireless communications	p. 103
Yard- or facility-based wireless communications	p. 104
Enabling software for in-transit visibility	p. 105
Conclusion	p. 105
Summary	p. 106
4 Application of RFID and Wireless Technologies for Fixed Asset Labeling and Locating	p. 107
Introduction	p. 107
Existing Technologies	p. 108
Development of an RFID-based Fixed Asset Labeling and Locating System	p. 109
Problem	p. 109
Solution	p. 110
Asset labeling for unique identification	p. 110
Asset location	p. 111
Repair and maintenance	p. 113
Example of an implementation	p. 115
Summary	p. 119
References	p. 120
5 RFID and Wireless Applications for Asset Management in the Water Utility	p. 121
Introduction	p. 121
General layout of assets	p. 121
Structure of this chapter	p. 123
Description of Assets within a Water Utility	p. 123
Water supply	p. 124
Water treatment	p. 124
Water distribution	p. 127
Wastewater collection	p. 128
Water treatment plant and water reclamation/reuse	p. 129
Mobile assets	p. 134
Monitoring	p. 136
Assets in solid waste collection and public works operations	p. 137
Analysis of Problems and Solutions	p. 138
Fixed assets	p. 138
Mobile assets	p. 142
Access management and infrastructure security	p. 147
Monitoring and recording	p. 148
Costs and Benefits and Improving the Return on Invested Capital	p. 151
References	p. 152
6 RFID and Wireless Applications for Asset Management in the Electric Utility	p. 153
Introduction	p. 153
Description of Infrastructure	p. 154
Power generation	p. 154
Coal supply and consumption	p. 155
Boiler and associated equipment	p. 156
Turbine	p. 157
Condenser	p. 157
Boiler feed water deaerator	p. 159
Generator	p. 159
Exhaust gas treatment system	p. 160
Power transmission	p. 160
Power distribution and retail	p. 162
Analysis of Problems and Solutions	p. 166
Fixed assets	p. 166
Mobile assets	p. 172
Monitoring and recording	p. 178
Costs and Benefits and Improving the Return on Invested Capital	p. 179
References	p. 180
7 RFID and Wireless Applications for Asset Management in the Natural Gas Industry	p. 181
Introduction	p. 181
Description of Infrastructure	p. 183
Production	p. 183
Processing	p. 188
Transmission	p. 192
Storage	p. 194
Application of RFID and wireless technologies	p. 196
Distribution	p. 197
RFID and wireless applications-distribution and retail	p. 202
Mobile assets	p. 203
Monitoring	p. 205
Analysis of Problems and Solutions	p. 206
Fixed assets	p. 208
Mobile assets	p. 212
Monitoring and recording	p. 218
Costs and Benefits and Improving the Return on Invested Capital	p. 219
References	p. 220
A Evaluating the Business Proposition of an RFID Project	p. 221
Evaluation of an RFID Project	p. 221
Understanding Risks Associated with an RFID System	p. 225
Improving the Return on Invested Capital (ROIC)	p. 227
B Industry Acronyms and Abbreviations	p. 233
Index	p. 239
About the Authors	p. 263

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