Digital solutions
Investment areas
• LoRaWAN network across Europe
• Real estate network
• Open Access 5G
• Fiber
Digital solutions
Digitization and connectivity are key in enabling a green transition in society. The underlying infrastructure is today one of the EU’s highest priority areas where we work to change to a modern, sustainable, and connected development of infrastructure assets such as water and real estate. A significant challenge lies in making existing infrastructure more sustainable and efficient. We see that measurability and smart control will be decisive for the green transition.
Changes in legislation have made it both practical and economically beneficial for property owners and communities to use local network infrastructure. In addition, the ongoing development of IoT and connected products enables property owners to become more energy-efficient and resource-smart.
The technology already exists, making it possible to use existing infrastructure in a more intelligent, green, and sustainable way. Moreover, the areas of application are almost unlimited. For example, within the real estate sector, smart buildings can help reduce energy consumption by 15-20%, and costs are reduced even further for the property owner.
When it comes to water supply, using smart meters can reduce the amount of water leaking from pipes, simplify repairs and give customers more control over their water consumption. Today, approximately 30% of all water in the mains around Europe leaks out. Until now, it has been difficult to monitor, locate and remedy these leaks, but smart meters make it possible. The result is that water consumption and operating costs are reduced while security is established for a critical resource such as water. We at Polar Structure want to build the best and most cost-effective IoT network based on LoRa-technology to enable these crucial societal applications.
Polar Structure is the majority owner of Netmore, a leading IoT operator that connects real estate, offers private and open 5G networks, and enables large-scale IoT through LoRaWAN (see fact box). Netmore possesses essential pieces of the puzzle to allow a modern and sustainable development of infrastructure assets such as water systems and real estate.
We have also founded European Connectivity Networks with Netmore, which builds and operates the network that enables the digital transition for cities and communities in Sweden, the Nordic countries, and the rest of Europe.
About LoRaWAN
LoRa = Long Range and constitutes the physical layer for communication that enables data transmission over long distances with very low power consumption.
WAN = Wide Area Network and constitutes the network protocol itself.
LoRaWAN makes it possible to improve and streamline several different social functions and save both time and money. The areas of use are almost unlimited. In addition to detecting leaks and saving water, the technology can be used for energy optimization in properties, asset tracking, and various types of smart-city applications, such as IoT-enabled garbage bins.
LoRaWAN is currently considered the fastest-growing IoT ecosystem in the world in terms of applications, sensors, and meters.
Smart meters can reduce water consumption and increase security for critical infrastructure assets
Polar Structure has invested in digital solutions to create measurability and security related to critical infrastructure assets with the help of IoT. In 2022, Polar Structure became the majority owner of Netmore, a leading IoT operator that connects real estate, offers private and open 5G networks, and enables large-scale IoT through LoRaWAN (see fact box to the left).
Netmore possesses essential pieces of the puzzle to allow a modern and sustainable development of infrastructure assets such as water systems and real estate.
A concrete example of how technology can be applied to ensure an efficient use of critical resources is a partnership that Netmore entered with Yorkshire Water Services in the autumn of 2022.
According to a report from the British regulator Ofwat, about 2.9 billion liters of water leak out daily in Great Britain. Per year, that’s a staggering 1.06 trillion liters of water, or the equivalent of 426,875 Olympic-size swimming pools. Here, the rollout of smart meters becomes an essential tool to detect leaks, save water, and make the best use of a limited resource such as water while simultaneously reducing the climate footprint.
In short, the deal entails installing smart water meters for Yorkshire Water’s customers. The meters enable Yorkshire Water Services to detect leaks early and thus remedy ongoing leaks immediately. Furthermore, customers will be able to monitor their water consumption in real-time, making it possible to make better decisions regarding when and how much water they use.
The project opens doors to other useful IoT applications. Furthermore, it is a concrete example of how technology can contribute to efficiency, measurability, and security for critical infrastructure assets.
Investment areas
• Train depots and railway yards
• Railroad switches
• Logistics development
• Combination terminals
• Transport hubs
• Ports
Sustainable transport
We invest holistically to contribute to transforming significant transport flows in society - from ports to end customers - to make these sustainable and more efficient. In addition, we initiate developing new infrastructure assets through partnerships with both private and public stakeholders. Polar Structure contributes with know-how competence and capital in several parts of the value chain.
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Investment areas
- Charging infrastructure for electric vehicles
- Energy storage system
- Renewable energy (e.g. solar energy)
- District heating and cooling
- Energy management system
Green energy
Energy is one of the sectors that have contributed the most to the increased emissions of greenhouse gases in Europe. As such, it is also one of the sectors with the most significant potential to reduce emissions. For this to happen, a continued expansion of green electricity production, the development of charging infrastructure for electric cars, and a reinforced transmission system with smart electricity grids and energy storage systems are needed.
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