IoT focus turns to industry applications for sustainability
Concentration is moving from consumers to industries that would benefit from the flow of information delivered by the Internet of Things (IoT). Focusing on eco-friendly possibilities the IoT is being recognised as a way to drive sustainable practices as part of an overall movement to reduce carbon emissions and drive down overall energy consumption. The view is that this technology has the potential to be a force for good in respect of sustainability and green business, as opposed to just linking up devices for consumers' convenience.

After the initial buzz surrounding The Internet of Things (IoT) has died down, lately there has been a shift in focus. Whereas previously the attention has been placed on the number of devices that are connected to make up the Internet of Things, the focus instead has shifted to the end product; namely the service or experience that the connected devices can enable. Moving forward we are likely to see more emphasis put on the value and usefulness of the technology.

One way to do this is to move away from the consumer market and focus more on the industries that stand to gain from the increase in information flow that IoT enables.

One field in which we could see real and tangible results from the application of IoT is the sustainable market. The Internet of Things has the potential to be a disruptive force for good when it comes to boosting sustainable processes across the world. Because of the interconnected nature of IoT, there are endless possibilities when it comes to using the technology to learn ways to drive down energy consumption and reduce global emissions. Below we explore three ways in which the technology can be used to enable and promote sustainable practices:

1. Promoting green business practices – Whereas previously the IoT has largely dominated the consumer sphere, it also has the potential to send shockwaves through the corporate world, and help to promote green business practices

One way that IoT can be used to advocate sustainable systems is by allowing businesses to learn more about the energy consumption in the workplace. IoT unlocks the potential to analyse large amounts of data recorded about the efficiency of energy sources, such as lighting and heating, and can clearly identify any inefficiencies.

Energy costs for businesses, especially if that business is quite energy intensive, can be very expensive. However with the creation of technology called Smart Grids, which functions by analysing data sent through many IoT devices, allows energy consumption to be measured much more accurately. The Smart Grid acts as a dashboard from which all energy usage can be carefully monitored and typically includes a range of sophisticated sensors, which keep careful track of all energy sources. By carefully monitoring energy usage it is possible to adjust and readjust the dashboard to achieve the optimal delivery of energy at the lowest cost.

The vast amount of data that Smart Grids collect can also help to educate businesses on how to achieve optimal energy delivery. And this in turn can help incentivise businesses to use energy in the most sustainable way possible. Identifying the energy consumption patterns of buildings can pinpoint precise times of day and point in the calendar when energy usage is at its highest. This can allow businesses to moderate their behaviour to work towards a more sustainable outcome.

2. Driving down emissions – Another way in which the IoT can be used to boost sustainability is by helping to reduce carbon emissions.

According to a report released by Ericsson, IoT technology could help cut global emissions by as much as 15 per cent by 2030. To support this statistic the report states ‘recent studies show that in OECD countries with high ICT use, the total energy footprint (and consequently the carbon footprint) has started to decrease’. So how can information recorded from these interlinked devices be transferred into actionable ways to protect our planet?

As we all know, a major contributor to carbon emissions is from the amount of fossil-fuel driven vehicles on the road. However, moving forward IoT can be used to reduce the emissions that these vehicles produce and, in addition, help to change people’s driving habits at peak times e.g. during commuting times. For example, in the Netherlands, a bus company is utilising connected devices to share information about the driving efficiency of 1,500 of its bus drivers. By delivering this feedback straight back to the drivers, the bus operator, Connexion, expects to improve fuel efficiency by more than five per cent a year, making an overall saving of around £2m.

Similarly the Spanish carmaker SEAT is also trialling an app called Parkfinder in Barcelona to inform drivers of ways to cut emissions. It works by gathering data via the city’s iCity platform and indicates to drivers where there is an available parking space in the nearby vicinity. By alerting the driver to the closest available space, the app is helping to reduce congestion and in turn limit unnecessary carbon emissions.

There are many ways that carbon emissions can be driven down using smart technology, however to supplement the technology a certain amount of collaborative spirit is needed. IoT is only capable of recording information and detecting patterns, it cannot however, change behaviours. And so in order to really make a difference IoT needs to be supplemented with initiatives to get people talking and sharing ideas to work together to reduce emissions. Social media can play a major part in this and can be used to create a dynamic community approach.

3. Aiding agriculture – The widespread use of IoT within manufacturing has been heralded to bring about the next industrial revolution. One sector which stands to benefit enormously from this revolution is agriculture, as interconnected devices could be used to help improve productivity and dramatically reduce waste.

According to a recent report by UNEP and the World Resources Institute (WRI), at present around one-third of all food produced worldwide gets lost or wasted in food production and consumption systems. Moving forward, IoT can be used to reduce this phenomenal level of waste by helping to inform more efficient farming practices and educate businesses and consumers of ways to minimise waste.

For example, farmers are trialling the use of aerial drones equipped with IoT sensors to monitor and improve existing agricultural processes. These drones can be used to monitor from the air large expanses of land where crops are growing. Footage taken from the drones can then be fed-back to the farmers who can then clearly monitor the state of the land and identify any problem areas.

Looking beyond the actual production of the food, IoT technology can also be used to help enrich the food itself. For example, Fujitsu has engineered a lettuce which contains 80 per cent less potassium in it than normal. The reason behind this modified lettuce is that high levels of potassium are very unhealthy for people on dialysis or suffering from kidney problems. The lettuce was grown in a carefully monitored test bed, where IoT sensors are used to control minute changes in conditions. This controlled environment can then produce the optimum conditions for the lettuce to grow in a potassium depleted state. This could signal the start of a food revolution, where IoT can be used to grow foods that are more nutrient dense and better for us.

In the next few years, we are likely to see IoT move away from a consumer market and instead move into the realms of business. IoT is so much more than a novelty technology and can be used to promote sustainable business practices. By carefully monitoring energy consumption and recording vast amounts of data we are able to utilise IoT to inform green practices and reduce our carbon footprint.

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