Wireless Tech ‘Key to Energy Savings’

by | Oct 12, 2011

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An emerging wireless-enabled environment has the potential to drive billions of dollars in energy savings in a range of American industries, according to a report by BSR.

One example in Wireless and the Environment: A Review of Opportunities and Challenges, is that of wireless-enabled fleet management solutions, which could allow trucking and logistics companies to limit truck idling time. This could reduce fuel cost per truck by $3,600 and eliminate nine million metric tons of CO2 emissions annually.

The report, sponsored by CTIA-The Wireless Association sponsored, also says that, if rolled out nationally by the energy industry, wireless smart grids could eliminate 360 million metric tons of CO2. This is equivalent to the annual energy use of 30 million U.S. homes, the report says.

If the public sector were to fully utilize smart traffic technology, fuel consumption on urban roadways could be cut by as much as 20 percent, the report says.

Even rurally based businesses such as agriculture could lower their environmental impacts and costs by using wireless technology, according to the report.

Such technology is increasingly being used by farmers to ensure that they achieve the right mix of land, fertilizers, pesticides and water to boost crop and livestock production. Wider application of precision agriculture could reduce water use by 11 to 50 percent, the report says.

A white paper released by Groom Energy in June argues that as the world comes out of recession, smart grid technology is set to emerge with a far wider usage base.

In Enterprise Smart Grid – An Overview: Definitions Drivers and Vendor Landscape, Groom Energy argues that a convergence of policy, market and technical developments are driving the emergence of the “enterprise smart grid.”

Groom cites company policy as the major driver behind the grid’s expected emergence. Most firms broadly expect energy prices to rise, and as such, many are adopting a more comprehensive approach to reducing energy costs, the report says.

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