ABB, Schneider Electric, IBM: IoT for Sustainability
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of connected devices full of sensors, software and other technologies that allow them to collect and exchange data.
From smart thermostats to industrial machinery, IoT technologies are everywhere and their data can be used to improve sustainability.
ABB’s “Making the most out of OpEx” report shows that whilst 96% of decision makers surveyed across 12 industrial sectors recognise the importance of digitalisation, only 35% have scaled industrial IoT implementations.
Stuart Thompson, President of ABB’s Electrification Service Division, says: “This gap presents an opportunity, and it underscores a broader narrative about digitalisation’s role in enhancing both operational efficiency and circularity.
“Right now, we have the chance to move beyond efficiency and productivity as sole primary goals, and reinforce our role as positive contributors to society more broadly.
“We can embrace digitalisation for better resource management and sustainable practices.”
Improving energy efficiency and management
Energy-related greenhouse gas emissions, including electricity, heat and transport, account for around 73% of global emissions.
The International Energy Agency estimates that improving energy efficiency could deliver an emissions reduction of 3.5 GtCO₂e – about 12% from a 2017 baseline.
In the industrial sector this makes an even bigger difference, with the potential to reduce carbon emissions by up to 34%.
Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure connects three layers of technology innovation, including IoT connected devices.
The company works with EcoDataCenter in Sweden to support energy management and improve efficiency in its data centres.
EcoDataCenter now has IoT sensors that generate analytic reports on the data centre’s operational efficiency and sustainability index and recycle heat waste back to the local grid.
Gwenaelle Avice Huet, Executive Vice President of Europe Operations and Member of the Executive Committee at Schneider Electric, says: “We're committed to helping our clients harness AI sustainably.
“We support our customers on their paths to energy efficiency and sustainability by integrating AI technologies into our solutions.
“A prime example is our collaboration with EcoDataCenter in Sweden which utilizes our EcoStruxure platform.
“This platform combines IoT, AI, and cloud computing capabilities to enable integrated energy management, building automation and industrial control, all while applying advanced analytics to optimise energy efficiency and maintenance for transformative operational sustainability.”
Managing waste using IoT
Around two billion tonnes of municipal solid waste are generated annually around the world including food packaging, bottles and electronics.
It is estimated that around 75% of all waste is recyclable, however only about 19% is recycled.
IBM supports leading Italian multi-utility Hera with waste management using IoT.
Hera treats 5.7 million tonnes of waste each year across 89 plants and is using AI to recognise materials that could be recovered and reused to increase recycling.
Using IBM Cloud Paks, Hera created an IoT system that can pull information from a wide range of sources including video footage from truck-mounted cameras.
The data collected by IoT connected devices helps the company to improve the cost efficiency of reclaiming waste for other uses by reducing the number of staff needed to manually pick recyclable objects out.
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