IIoT and Sustainability – A New Industrial Pattern
Published on : Thursday 05-03-2020
IIoT aligned with Sustainable Development Goals should be an inclusion in the industrialprocess roadmap, says Titli Chatterjee.
The traditional industrial process and environmental sustainability are intertwined, and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) plays a crucial role in building a sustainable framework. Industrial production process and organisations embracing sustainability goal could drive green consumerism aligning itself to environmental upgrades. Therefore, the nascent transformation of industrial production due to IIoT is a growing trend at the industrial front. The global sustainable development policy inclusion pertaining to the “Green Economy Concept” and the “Sustainable Development Goals” would be driven by the adoption of digital technologies and a shift from legacy industrial systems. IIoT would be a key enabler in addressing SDG 9, aiming at “Building a resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation”.
The digitalised interconnected industrial production enables the exchange of real-time data between machines and product components allowing for monitoring and inferring decisive insights through analysis of data at every nodal point of production process. Policy interventions and business models have so far mainly focused on economic benefits and adoption of IIoT solutions. However, IIoT for sustainable development can drive enterprises to gain profitability, reduce the global impact and seize the competitive advantage by becoming climate leaders.
Research indicates that in 2018, the World Economic Forum (WEF) published the “Internet of Things Guidelines for Sustainability”, which reveals that 84% of IoT use cases could potentially address the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Environmental dimensions that can be impacted due to sustainable development and digitalised industrial process are data transparency, resource efficiency and sustainable energy. One of the significant features of IIoT is the availability of data throughout the value chain. This readily available information drives environmental management by enterprises from shop floor to warehouse. IIoT technologies also offer potentials for resource efficiency. One of the much talked about advanced technology as a part of resource efficiency is 3D Printing that can be resource efficient for manufacturing systems and applications such as prototypes, products with variances, quality control checks, etc.
Sustainable energy is another key aspect that is strengthened by IIoT both in terms of energy efficiency and renewable energy. In regions where energy infrastructure is a challenge, IIoT technologies enable to set up mini grids. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), a mini-grid system comprises of distributed energy resources, interconnected storage appliances integrating an energy infrastructure which can operate in parallel with the main grid.
Research indicates improvement in resource efficiency can be attained through implementation of IIoT technologies in industrial production. Also, the IIoT enabled real- time data on environmental indicators drives organisations be a climate leader by adoption across the industrial value chain.
Sustainable IIoT Around the World
- SeWatch, a wastewater and sewage wireless monitoring system provides a system- wide water-sensor reporting solution
- China has come up with "Sensing China" strategy – environmental protection and overall industrial pollution control system
- Artificial Intelligence and green algorithms contribute to improved energy efficiency at BBVA HQ
- UPS developed real-time data analytics system optimising driver routes saving fuel and reduce emissions
- Autodesk collaborated with Volkswagen for an electric infused technical showcase vehicle to save energy
- SAP teamed up with Phillips in Buenos Aires to bring the city 91,000 smart lights. Adjustment protocols and data visualisation allow the engineers to adjust the lights in real time, increasing efficiency and reduction in energy consumption, and
- The Environmental Défense Fund has kicked off multiple efforts to combat natural gas waste by implementing gas line monitoring systems.
China Setting the Context in Sustainable IIoT
Transformations in China set a probable roadmap for sustainable development, considering the potential environmental impacts. A sample study by MDPI suggests a more resource- efficient production through digital technologies has higher demand among the Chinese enterprises while the digitisation and sustainability developments are considered interconnected across the industry. However, the Chinese organisations remain hesitant regarding the digital inclusion of suppliers. This is a crucial factor for generation of data used to address sustainability potentials. Digitisation paves for new possibilities of integrating renewable energy in the production systems, in addition it can also throw immense possibilities to reduce emissions building an IIoT-enabled digitised industry.
The Future of IoT in Support of Sustainability
IIoT aligned with Sustainable Development Goals should be an inclusion in the industrial process roadmap. With higher demands for this technology from both public and private sector in terms of energy distribution and consumption, quality checks, reduction of emissions, etc., the overall adoption of IIoT is expected to shoot up. It is obvious to the current scenario that the manufacturers will find ways to make it more useful and accessible, addressing the barriers and concerns regarding the digital inclusion.
Titli Chatterjee has been leading the ER&D/Industry 4.0 research initiatives of NASSCOM, having experience in research and consulting in the areas of emerging technologies and engineering services. In her current role as Manager – Research Titli is closely working with industry leaders, startups and other stakeholders to highlight how technology can be a game changer on the industrial front, and developing a roadmap in disruptive technologies for Indian IT-BPM industry.