What if your plant only transmitted when you wanted it to?

Many components in PV plants have a Bluetooth interface that is permanently active. That is convenient for commissioning and service. But it also stays reachable during operation, for anyone within radio range: at the fence, on the site or by drone above the park.

This creates an attack surface that serves no purpose in normal operation.

Radio connection only when needed

We have developed a solution for this, which we are currently rolling out. Instead of a permanently active Bluetooth connection, a Wi-Fi connection is switched on only when it is needed, for example for commissioning or maintenance. Afterwards it is deactivated again.

During regular operation, no radio interface is left open.

• Common today: Bluetooth always on. Reachable even in normal operation, by anyone within radio range.
• New from REFU: Wi-Fi only when needed. Briefly active for commissioning and maintenance, then off again.

“Security starts with the system design. You need a radio connection for commissioning, but nobody needs one during operation. That’s why we only switch Wi-Fi on when it’s needed.”

Matthias Reisenauer, CTO

Development is complete. Details to follow.

In a few weeks, we will show you how activation works in practice, which devices are included and what it means for your plants, with all the technical details and a full look at the user interface.

Until then, a question worth asking: Do you know which radio interfaces are open in your park right now?