Wireless and the Environment pot

[...]... reducing environmental harm Wireless technology provides the data that informs this behavior change Taken together, these wireless applications have the ability to help improve the way we move things around the country so as to do it more efficiently, more resourcefully, and less harmfully ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY While rail, air, and shipping are key components of the transportation... waste receptacles and recycling bins with wireless alert technology The bins feature a closed chamber into which passersby place garbage, which is then shunted into the compactor As the level of trash rises, an electric eye detects it and initiates the compactor Once the compactor gets near capacity, the wireless monitoring system sends an SMS message to a central dispatch From there, the information... http://www.ibm.com/smarterplanet/us/en/traffic_congestion/ideas/index.html BSR | Wireless and the Environment 22 Powering Our Future Section Overview » Introduction: The Utilities Nervous System » Wireless and Energy Smart Grids » Wireless and Smart Water Management » Looking Ahead WIRELESS UTILITIES APPLICATIONS: POTENTIAL IMPACTS Fewer power plants required to meet peak electricity demand Reduced energy used by consumers Reduced water loss through household and infrastructure... much more limited and occurs slowly In traditional grids it might by extremely difficult or impossible to gather the information and mobilize the responses that the smart grid makes possible with the click of a mouse These smarter utilities offer powerful opportunities to improve environmental impacts With smart energy (and water) grids, utilities and consumers can gather new, myriad, and near real-time... greater financial and environmental impact Many utilities simply do not have the data to make pricing more granular Real-time smart meter data enables variable pricing and encourages off-peak use, thereby promoting better use of resources and reducing demand for peak energy BSR | Wireless and the Environment 23 The Smart Grid will be characterized by a two-way flow of electricity and information to... use goes on in the home; rather, they measure the total at the meter With wireless smart grids, though, utilities are gathering information from within the home to help consumers make better choices This brings great benefits, but is a new way of doing business for many utilities Furthermore, these systems are still nascent, and the long-term costs are uncertain As more utilities deploy wireless smart... large scale and gather longitudinal data, it will be important to evaluate the financial implications of the systems Additionally, not all providers are choosing wireless as the backbone of their smart grids These utilities perceive a number of benefits to their own build-outs, including coverage, reliability, data response times, the ability to control and prioritize transmissions and potential financial... http://www.smartgridnews.com/artman/publish/Technologies_Communications/Smart-gridcommunications-smackdown -the- cellular-companies-combine -and- conquer-strategy-3163.html; BSR | Wireless and the Environment 29 Ultimately, there are advantages and disadvantages to both public and private networks Depending on the particular utility and circumstances, different types of networks may be better for different customers As demonstrated by the wireless smart grid projects currently... municipalities, corporations, and residential communities are using these systems to gather information about users, landscapes, weather forecasts, and sensor data to regulate the amount of water dispersed To do this, the systems often rely on wireless technology to transmit data and enable user control For example, a system might use a wireless transmission to check weather reports and, if rain is predicted,... traffic conditions or other real-time conditions on the roads, one truck may be able to complete its scheduled deliveries on time, while another truck encounters significant delays throughout the day Real-time fleet management software can identify that the two trucks are actually near each other, and the most efficient solution is for the empty truck to help the stranded truck finish the delivery Both . track, and using on -the- fly information to increase efficiency, and reduce costs and environmental impacts. Addressing Environmental Costs While the expanding use of wireless technology in the. opportunities to protect the environment through better information gathering and citizen engagement. Wireless offers the opportunity to reduce these environmental costs, while enhancing the opportunities. | Wireless and the Environment 2 About This Report The purpose of this report is to explore environmental opportunities and challenges that arise from existing and emerging uses of wireless