Climate Protection by the Internet of Things
30.09.2020
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The environment benefits and consumers are grateful when companies reduce their CO2 emissions. Find out how the Internet of Things helps them to operate organically by using predictive maintenance and tracking.
It’s 2050. The climate crisis has been overcome and CO2 emissions have been reduced to a minimum. The electricity for Europe’s smart grids (see box) is not generated by coal-fired or nuclear power stations; it is wind and hydroelectric power from Northern Europe, biomass from Central Europe and solar power from Italy, Spain and Greece. Industry has completely transformed its processes, switching to entirely new production methods that are based on the use of climate-neutral hydrogen. Food in organic quality and from sustainable agriculture is a matter of course and the combustion engine in vehicles has become a thing of the past.
What is a Smart Grid?
A smart grid is an intelligent power network that connects producers, network operators and consumers with each other. Components share via the network details of their current operating status and their energy consumption and requirement. As a result the energy grid can be used more efficiently and local renewable sources of energy can be better integrated into the network and managed.
CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN PLACE OF THROWAWAY SOCIETY
It may sound remote and utopian but politics and business already have it on their agenda. With the Climate Program 2030 and the new Climate Protection Act – focused on a turnaround in energy policy – the German government aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55 percent by 2030 and so to help reduce global warming. Many companies are converting their production methods or prefer to develop new, eco-friendly business models. They aim to reduce their carbon dioxide output or even strike a climate-neutral balance. Customers and business partners pay increasing attention to the sustainability of products and services. As a consequence sustainability is no longer a cost factor but a competitive advantage and part of the brand identity and product design. The Internet of Things (IoT) makes an important contribution toward sustainability in Industry 4.0. An IoT application can boost efficiency while going easier on the use of resources.
GREEN LOGISTICS: LESS WASTE DURING TRANSPORTATION
Quehenberger Logistics is a good example of how the IoT makes transportation and logistics more sustainable. Quehenberger uses an IoT platform and the Cloud to monitor the condition along the supply chain of the goods entrusted to it. If a container equipped with IoT sensors and full of sensitive medications stands for too long at one location and the temperature rises worryingly, the solution sounds the alarm. The advantage is that those responsible must no longer rely on information from the shippers and thanks to the connectivity can undertake immediate countermeasures before the entire shipment of medications becomes unserviceable and has to be destroyed. Less wastage during transport means fewer replacement deliveries - and therefore less traffic and CO2 emissions. IoT technology also provides protection from theft and shows exactly where each container is.
PREDICTIVE MAINTENANCE REDUCES ENERGY AND FUEL COSTS
The IoT is also already proving its worth in respect of sustainability with predictive maintenance in many companies. On request, these companies can equip their machines with a Cloud-based IoT solution that uses connected sensors to continuously collect and evaluate the generator’s operational data. The provider examines and evaluates the IoT data. At what time of day is an especially large amount of steam required? Using predictive maintenance (see box) faults are visible before they impair a device’s performance or lead to an outage. The customer no longer needs services and maintenance at regular intervals and the manufacturer can resolve many problems remotely. If a technician is needed on-site he will—thanks to the digital system—automatically have the right tools and spare parts with him. As a result, machines are better maintained predictively and last longer. Customer service saves on vehicle and fuel costs too.
What is Predictive Maintenance?
Predictive maintenance is a way to monitor connected plant and machinery by means of their measurement and production data. The aim is to predict and remedy faults before delays or outages occur. Technicians service plant as required and not at regular intervals. As a result, machines are better maintained and production losses and machine downtimes can be avoided.
CUT DOWN ON CO2 AND INFLUENCE CLIMATE CHANGE FOR GOOD, BUT HOW?
From responsible global procurement of raw materials and green logistics via production conditions to packaging, sales and marketing, potential exists in all areas of corporate activity for measures to reduce CO2 emissions and operate more sustainably for the climate’s sake. Possible approaches are to hold video meetings instead of on-site conferences, to run a fleet of electric vehicle company cars and work bicycles and to choose an electricity provider with a focus on renewables. Telekom, for example, has launched the We care initiative to promote its especially sustainable products, services and initiatives. If recycled material is used, packaging is biodegradable or the product is particularly energy-efficient it gets a We care label. A good example is terminal device recycling of smartphones. Telekom takes back its customers’ old phones and recycles either them or their raw materials. The telco uses the We care label to target customers and business partners with products and services that provide ecological and social added value.
Further information:
Ariane Elena Fuchs
Product Marketing Manager
Ariane Fuchs has been passionate about innovative technologies such as the Internet of Things for a long time. Her enthusiasm for the topic relates to its potential to truly create a positive impact for society and for businesses as part of it. She joined the Deutsche Telekom group in 2017 and has since then specialized in topics such as industry, logistics, smart buildings, and digitally enabled sustainability.
Ariane Elena Fuchs
Product Marketing Manager
Ariane Fuchs has been passionate about innovative technologies such as the Internet of Things for a long time. Her enthusiasm for the topic relates to its potential to truly create a positive impact for society and for businesses as part of it. She joined the Deutsche Telekom group in 2017 and has since then specialized in topics such as industry, logistics, smart buildings, and digitally enabled sustainability.
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