The New York Times has an article today about “smart infrastructure,” the next generation of traffic controls, waterways and distribution networks that will use wireless sensors to collect and transmit information.
As with smart grid technology, what actually makes it smart will be how the system can then tweak its own operating levels to more efficiently response to current conditions.
Right now, development of smart infrastructure systems rests primarily with large technology companies, like IBM and GE.
“There will be a lot of hype and a lot of things that don’t pan out,” said Rosabeth Moss Kanter, a professor of business administration at the Harvard Business School. “But the direction is absolutely right. We’ve barely scratched the surface of how information technology can help control and conserve energy use.”
The article describes some of the model smart infrastructure projects underway at I.B.M., but none mentions a plan for powering the meters, sensors, relays and computer networks. The focus is on the energy savings generated by more efficient systems.
The city of Stockholm took a huge chance, installing a city-wide traffic congestion monitoring system, calling it a “pilot” and asking residents to approve the system seven months later after the benefits had become apparent. The system now generates $80 million annually for the city.
Read about more about smart infrastructure pilot programs and let us know if you have any suggestions for becoming a technology company’s go-to source for making vision into reality.