In response to the escalating climate challenges facing our planet, businesses worldwide find themselves ever more compelled to integrate sustainable practices into their operations.
Yet this critical move extends beyond merely reducing environmental impact—it involves mastering the delicate equilibrium between ecological responsibility and the need to sustain growth and productivity. Organisations need to strive hard to minimise their carbon footprints and enhance their developmental strategies - a task that seems daunting to leaders due to the complex demands these objectives impose.
Yet amidst this challenging scenario, the Internet of Things (IoT) stands out as a revolutionary influence poised to redefine traditional business models and out-of-date operational practices. IoT technology contributes to environmental sustainability but not as an afterthought; instead, it reshapes how companies interact with the natural world while enabling them to utilise their resources.
Shaping the future of productivity
By leveraging IoT, businesses harness real-time data to streamline processes, optimise energy usage, and drastically reduce waste. Smart technology enables the automation of various industrial operations including ensuring that machines work at peak efficiency and that resources are utilised judiciously.
At the same time, IoT can aid organisations in maintaining a razor sharp and highly competitive edge in a market that increasingly values eco-friendly practices - helping them to not only comply with tight environmental regulations but to thrive in the face of an uncertain economic outlook.
Efficient resource management
While IoT technology offers practical solutions to reduce power usage and waste significantly, it also leads to swift automation and optimisation of business processes.
For example, a mid-sized producer of electronic components can install smart sensors and actuators on machines to enhance sustainability and efficiency. These monitor energy usage and operational efficiency in real-time. Such implementation allows businesses to reduce monthly energy consumption, automate waste sorting, and decrease equipment failures. This significantly lowers overall cost and improves an organisation’s compliance with tight environmental regulations.
LitterCam uses IoT and AI to turn CCTV into cameras to specifically identify local littering in real-time. This revolutionary example shows how technology supports local authorities in creating cleaner environments for the community. This smart, cost-effective application has changed human behaviour towards littering while reducing the ecological footprint caused by expensive waste management systems.
Sustainable design and operation
From the outset, IoT devices must be engineered for sustainability if they are to embrace it. Carefully integrating robust hardware, firmware, and efficient connectivity solutions minimises the environmental impact across a device's lifecycle. Retail outlets, for instance, can track the entire lifecycle of products with IoT-led monitoring by asking customers to return used products for recycling. Another example is where devices operating in extreme conditions are built for durability and longevity to withstand harsh environments. This decreases the need for frequent replacements and maintenance.
Advanced connectivity solutions
Transitioning from traditional to advanced connectivity options like eSIMs and iSIMs not only reduces waste but also proves to be a cost-effective solution. These cleaner, more environmentally friendly solutions can provide seamless network connectivity using fewer materials and lowered energy consumption. iSIMs are the most eco-friendly for a business's carbon footprint as they eradicate the use of plastic SIMs on the printed circuit board.
Another major challenge for businesses deploying battery-powered IoT edge devices is ensuring the batteries last for the intended lifespan of the device. Predicting the lifetime can be difficult to manage, particularly when securing the lifetime of a 10-year battery becomes untenable if the batteries fail after only five years. This makes replacements financially and logistically impractical, especially if the devices are in hard-to-reach locations.
Therefore customers must ensure they select suitable batteries that utilise advanced technologies like eDRX (Extended Discontinuous Reception) and PSM (Power Saving Mode). These significantly boost the energy efficiency of LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) IoT edge devices by enabling them to enter low-power states when inactive, a cost-saving mechanism that significantly extends battery life. By safeguarding the overall business model in this way, maintenance costs are lowered and the system's reliability increased.
Another example is how IoT is rapidly expanding its role in EV ecosystems. IoT has been pivotal in optimising the infrastructure for electric vehicles, particularly in the management of charging stations around the world. Reliable IoT connectivity ensures the efficiency and security of charging point operations, a crucial aspect for the broader adoption of EVs, which is vital for climate goals.
As the global community grapples with environmental challenges, IoT emerges as a shining light, offering the tools needed for organisations to navigate headwinds effectively. IoT stands as a testament to the potential of technological innovation, allowing us to foster a truly sustainable future. In conclusion, IoT is an indispensable ally in the global effort to curtail environmental impact while promoting economic prosperity worldwide.
Paul Marshall, founder and CCO at Eseye
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