In this episode of IoT Unplugged, Lucy Barnard, Editor of IoT Insider, speaks to Valentin Keller, IoT Solution Engineer at Switzerland-based smart solutions firm Akenza and Hrafn Guðbrandsson, Director of Data Driven Solutions at Icelandic infrastructure specialist Rafal to explore how systems integrators and engineering firms use scalable Internet of Things (IoT) platforms to manage multiple clients and projects.
Guðbrandsson describes Rafal’s partnership with Akenza, which provided the reliability, flexibility, and ISO certification needed to monitor Iceland’s geothermal infrastructure—particularly Reykjavik Energy’s hot water distribution system.
Through the deployment of pressure sensors using LoRaWAN networks, Rafal gained real-time data from previously unmonitored areas. This data revealed unexpected pressure variations, improved maintenance, and optimised system balancing, ultimately setting a new standard for infrastructure monitoring in Iceland.
Keller explains that Akenza serves as the “glue” between physical devices and the internet, offering a low-code IoT platform that allows users to integrate devices and manage data with minimal coding. Its flexibility and protocol-agnostic design enable quick deployment, scalability, and reduced development time.
The conversation highlights Iceland’s unique sustainability landscape, where nearly all energy is renewable. IoT technology plays a key role in maintaining efficiency and minimising resource use across smart utilities, cities, and buildings.
Despite harsh environmental conditions—remote sites, extreme weather, and limited connectivity—Rafal’s use of solar-powered, battery-operated sensors and LoRaWAN coverage has enabled continuous, low-power monitoring.
Looking ahead, both Akenza and Rafal aim to expand and harden their IoT networks, ensuring long-term stability and resilience in critical infrastructure. Their advice for new IoT integrators is to start from the problem, not the technology: define the issue first, then choose the right IoT tools to solve it effectively.
To hear more about what they had to say, listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and at the link below.
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