Apr 12, 2023

Astrocast, the nanosatellite IoT network operator, is participating in the EU-funded CiROCCO initiative, part of the wider Horizon Europe Programme. The CiROCCO research project aims to establish a low-cost and sustainable network of electronic sensing nodes in under-sampled desert areas and ecosystems in Egypt, Serbia and Spain. Sensing nodes It will collect data, through mobile monitoring devices, from both low-cost, stand-alone, electronic sensing nodes, and higher-quality, off-the-self, sensing stations and medium-cost portable sun photometers. Astrocast’s satellite IoT will be involved in CiROCCO’s Benban solar farm project in Egypt, a Renewable Energy Systems (RES) Planning pilot project. SatIoT connectivity will allow data transmission to take place in the remote location between the various sensors and their operational teams – enabling them to transmit, access and interpret the data they require, to manage energy and optimise production more effectively.. It includes tracking solar radiation measurements – to harmonise this with actual power production, for data assimilation into solar energy models and for forecasting purposes. Wind speed and direction will also be tracked – to help provide information about dust forecasting and load estimation – along with the temperature and humidity of the solar panels to help the operator to ensure optimal operating conditions and manage maintenance alerts relating to solar panel efficiency. CiROCCO The CiROCCO initiative has the stated aim of “Enhancing the In-situ Environmental Observations across Under-sampled Deserts” “We are proud to be part of the CiROCCO initiative, and to contribute our expertise to establish a low-cost and sustainable network of electronic sensing nodes in under-sampled desert areas,” said the Astrocast CEO, Fabien Jordan. “We believe that the data generated from this initiative will play a crucial role in enhancing climate change models and supporting the European Green Deal challenges.” “Furthermore, by participating in the Renewable Energy Systems Planning pilot project in Egypt, we aim to leverage our satellite technology to optimise energy production and contribute to developing a dedicated energy management system for the Benban solar project and beyond.” CiROCCO is coordinated by the Institute of Communication & Computer Systems (ICCS) in Greece and involves organisations from the EU members of Greece, Cyprus, Spain, and Luxembourg, along with three non-EU countries: Switzerland, Egypt, and Serbia). Comprising a mix of research organisations, commercial companies and governmental bodies, the project will run from 1 March 2023 to 28 February 2026, with a budget of €3.5M.