Month: February 2018

Keeping an eye on carbon footprint, retailers have a part to play, by managing their stores with waste reduction in mind together by an efficient energy management. Carbon footprint in the retail industry relates to energy consumption through heating, lighting, air conditioning, ventilation, cooking (e.g. bakery) and refrigeration. In retail where margins are low and revenues are high Internet of Things (IoT) has the potential to offer “Smart” environments in the retail space as well.

Reducing energy wastage in the retail store is a big step towards a smart environment

Traditional stores and shopping malls face a challenge when it comes to operating sustainably. The sheer size and long opening hours together with large physical footprint, temperature controlled interiors and lighting make energy composition for retails high. From the number of people insides stores to the weather outside there are many variables to be considered and thus apportion energy appropriately is not easy.

By making stores ‘connected’, retailers can more efficiently manage energy and utilities to meet actual demand and avoid unnecessary waste.

IoT is the option for an efficient energy management for retails.

• Connected Sensors:- Creating a connected retail outlet embedded with sensors is the solution that can measure data like occupancy in real-time, and transmits it to an IoT platform. The connection between the platform to operational systems like heating and lighting within the stores make it possible to manage energy efficiently according to actual, not anticipated, need.
• Predictive Maintenance:- IoT predictive maintenance solution can help fix your faulty fridge. This means that a flaw or fault is spotted as soon as it happens – or better yet, when it is about to happen – so that it can be attended to. The IoT platform is notified through sensors that detect flaws in the machinery and automatically trigger a work order for a technician to investigate the issue. No manual investigation is required.
• Data visualisation and dashboards:- The  IoT platform helps in monitoring consumption by sector and across properties, devices and also identify if there is any sudden increase in consumption, catch wastage and improper billing. This helps in making smarter and intelligent energy efficient decisions by monitoring the energy consumption by different devices and appliances in the store and implementing controls in an automated or manual manner.

Intelligent actions for energy efficient retailers can take:-

• Implementing Smart Lighting Technology helps in monitoring and controlling the ambience lighting intensity remotely
• Implementing Motion activated lights with sensors optimises the use of energy by the lighting system depending upon the occupancy in the store.
• Implementing Smart HVAC system for a store helps measure occupancy levels, indoor air quality and humidity to fine-tune its program and control comfort set points, fresh air and energy usage more effectively
• Automatic doors with low power consumption, controlled by store manager, avoid energy loss due to air exchange from outside.
• Control and monitor store refrigeration, digital signage etc. helps energy saving in real time by communicating with these devices through gateways that understand protocols from far off locations.

Today we are living in a world where technology is helping different sectors to be more profitable and efficient, so why not the water infrastructure. Water network is no more the traditional way of only installing pipes that provide water but rather, today we talk about Smart Water Network embedded with Internet of Things sensors. For an efficient water distribution network, smart water infrastructure is the option. It entails a reliable delivery network at a lower cost, benefiting both operators and consumers.

About Smart Water Network

• Integrated set of products
• enable utilities to remotely and continuously monitor
• diagnose problems, prioritise and manage maintenance issues
• use data to optimise all aspects of the water distribution network

The smart water network takes advantage of real-time data, from pumps, tanks, valves and other vital distribution network points, to automate process control and support real-time operations decisions as needed. It operates with an information management system with open channels that also makes operations data available accurately, securely and in a timely manner to business processes across the utility.

IoT device helps to manage and plan the usage of water turning the existing static network of water pipes and pumps into adaptive and connected networks that provide huge benefits towards efficient water management.

Integrating IoT for Smart Water Network

• Smart sensor nodes
• Smart sensor nodes mobile sensing platforms
• Provides information for Improving cost-effectiveness of water treatment processes
• Ensuring safe, secure delivery to end users
• IoT-enabled smart water meters help reducing water loss and support water conservation
• Water leakage detection
• More efficient systemic water management
• Water quality and safety monitoring
• Quality control on water reserves
• Transparency on consumption
• Preventive maintenance on infrastructure

Success Stories

Smart Water in Shenzhen: Shenzhen Water, China Telecom, Ningbo Water Meter, and Huawei jointly launched the world’s first commercial NB-IoT-based Smart Meter Reading project. 50,000 water meters have been deployed as of October 2017, and 500,000 water meters are expected to be deployed by 2020.

Smart Water in Yingtan: By October 2017, Huawei, together with Sanchuan Water Meter, had already released 20,000 NB-IoT smart water meters and achieved an online rate of 99.2%. They are expected to deploy 100,000 water meters in 2018.

Cutting edge technologies to make Grid smarter that render electricity more reliable efficient is the solution to reduce the frequency and duration of power outages, reduce storm impacts, and restore service faster when outages occur. On the consumer side a better self management of energy consumption will be appreciated as data will be available. Modernized grid , including improved security, reduce peak loads, increased integration of renewables and lower operational costs are key points attached to smart grid.

A brief about the facts on smart grid

It is a two way communication technology plus control system and computer processing. Advanced sensors known as phasor management Units (PMUs) allows operators to assess grid stability. A smart meter is a component of smart grid which uses digital technology is the tool that provides information pertaining to outrages .re-route power to outrages. There is also batteries that store excess energy and release the energy is release on to continue the energy afterwards when it is needed to meet the consumer consumption requirement.

Opting for Smart grid for better energy management and much more

• Inaccurate metering will be eliminated as metering data can be accessed remotely and real time charging is also available. Thus electricity suppliers do not need to move to collect data.
•  Reliability — by reducing the cost of interruptions and power quality disturbances and reducing the probability and consequences of widespread blackouts
• Economics — by keeping downward prices on electricity prices, reducing the amount paid by consumers as compared to the “business as usual” (BAU) grid, creating new jobs, and stimulating the gross domestic product (GDP).
• Efficiency — by reducing the cost to produce, deliver, and consume electricity
• Environmental — by reducing emissions when compared to BAU by enabling a larger penetration of renewables and improving efficiency of generation, delivery, and consumption
• Security — by reducing the probability and consequences of manmade attacks and natural disasters
• Safety — by reducing injuries and loss of life from grid-related events

Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology that overlays 3D digital content seamlessly onto the real world, using specialized hardware and software.  AR holds merit in the world of construction technology, especially when it comes to educational, architectural, and field engineering processes for both students and professionals alike. Augmented reality consists of a live, imitative version of the real world – with the capacity to add certain elements to the simulated landscape. Digiconsult Under the Anglo African Telecommunications practice ensures technology not only meets the requirements of its users but that it is implemented and managed to realise the promised benefits.

Augmented Reality in the construction space

Augmented Reality works by overlaying stunning virtual data and imagery onto an existing physical space or object. A very basic example lies in professional football. If you ever caught a game on TV and viewed the enhance lines on the field marking the downs, then you have experienced AR. If you take the idea of overlaying graphics on a physical space, and apply them to a construction site, imagine creating an AR experience that renders a completed building (or step-by-step phases of construction) on any screen pointed towards the work zone. The construction industry is already catching on to the uses of AR during the building process.

The construction and architecture industries (among others) could benefit from using AR while designing, presenting or executing a project.

1. Having a real-time visualization of the finished product leads to better team collaboration & communication during the phases of construction.
2. Crews will see increased safety benefits for workers by having visuals for each phase of construction in-hand (or think Google Glass), and not having to look away from the work zone while studying blueprints.
3. Projects with AR visuals are more likely to be completed on-time and within budget because they’re backed by a proven model.

Benefits Of Augmented Reality Technology To The Construction Sector

Augmented reality is not the same as virtual reality. While virtual reality (VR) replaces the real world by creating a simulated environment, augmented reality (AR) can create exact replicas of the real world while also enhancing it. In the construction industry, AR can benefit architects, designing teams, project managers, engineers and owners too. It can allow anyone to walk through the proposed building plan, compare it with the plan and propose changes.
There are many different ways that augmented reality can help builders and owners.

• Easy Plan Modification: Augmented reality allows architecture models to be displayed in a way that you can easily modify the 3D plans with just a few taps. Your building interiors can be changed before construction while keeping the exterior design intact. You can move or remove walls in the design with just a few taps. AR can allow clients to create custom residential and commercial buildings to the tiniest detail.
• Increased Savings:Another benefit of using AR for architectural designing is that it helps save both time and money. Creating architecture plans can be both time intensive and expensive. Augmented reality provides a cost-efficient way to replace your plans with 3D models across all aspects of planning.
• Ability to Visualize Plans: You can visualize the architectural plans with an immersive experience. Replace 2D blueprints for the structure with augmented models and get a more useful and effective way to view the project’s designs.
• More Effective Collaboration: AR helps you to communicate the creativity and ideas in the form of the design. Designing teams and architects have always been looking for creative ways to present their ideas or turn their clients’ ideas into models. Augmented reality is one of the most perfect things to happen to the construction industry as it allows it to effectively showcase to clients what the designers want to portray. The resultant interactive graphic user interface allows both the designers and clients to communicate and collaborate effectively to achieve the desired goals.