Reducing Germany’s Carbon Footprint with Cisco IoT Routers

Reducing Germany’s Carbon Footprint with Cisco IoT Routers

Renewable energy—wind, solar, and others—plays a crucial role in cutting greenhouse gas emissions. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, a shift to renewables cuts fossil‑fuel use, the largest source of CO₂ worldwide.

Germany has set ambitious targets: a 40 % reduction in emissions by 2020, a 55 % cut by 2030, and an 80 % share of renewables in gross power consumption by 2050. innogy, a leading utility based in Essen, is driving this transition.

innogy supplies renewable power to 22 million customers across Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Central‑Eastern and South‑Eastern Europe, making it one of the continent’s most extensive green‑energy providers.

Because wind and solar output can be unpredictable, innogy needed a reliable IoT solution to balance supply and demand while continuing to lower its carbon footprint.

The company deploys Cisco’s IR807 Industrial Integrated Services Routers in its remote utility sites and secondary substations—where high‑voltage power is stepped down for residential and commercial use. These routers enable secure, real‑time data collection and management in a highly regulated environment.

Even in these remote locations, data must be transmitted safely for off‑site analysis. At each substation, the IR807 captures transformer metrics, power quality readings, and real‑time status of renewable sources, then forwards the information to a central command center.

By integrating weather sensors with the industrial routers, innogy synchronizes live meteorological updates with its control system, turning raw data into actionable insights that help maintain grid stability.

Better Technology for a Better Future

innogy is already testing and deploying the rugged Cisco IR1101 Integrated Services Router to further strengthen its IoT network.

For a deeper look at how innogy is shaping Germany’s energy future, watch our new video here.