The Internet of Things (IoT) has been a topic of much discussion, owing to its potential to transform our daily routines. Through a network of physical devices that communicate with one another, processes can be automated, changing our perspective on the world around us.
With approximately 10 billion operational devices, the Internet of Things (IoT) has the potential to revolutionize society in countless ways. This technology is being integrated into various sectors, including transportation, manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, banking and retail. Furthermore, it is being adopted rapidly in the renewable energy industry, presenting innovative, effective solutions.
How can the growth of renewable energy benefit from the Internet of Things (IoT)?
The energy industry has already witnessed several positive use cases of the Internet of Things, such as:
Asset tracking
IoT technologies can be leveraged by enterprises to capitalize on renewable energy solutions. An instance of this is connecting smart roofs, rainwater harvesters and photovoltaic solar panels, which can then be tracked and managed conveniently through desktop or mobile applications. This not only saves time but also cuts down on manual labor, translating into cost savings for the company.
Remote monitoring
By utilizing interconnected sensors, IoT empowers organizations to track their assets remotely. This real-time monitoring is critical for identifying maintenance requirements, performance evaluation and forecasting. Additionally, any modifications to the surroundings can be promptly communicated to the team in charge of the equipment’s upkeep.
Through remote monitoring of energy consumption with the aid of smartphones, businesses can gain visibility into their usage patterns. This enables them to detect any wasteful practices and create an action plan to mitigate them.
Managing Distributed Networks
The Internet of Things has enabled large-scale processing facilities dealing with renewable energy to track numerous devices worldwide, including thousands of solar panels. This capability aids in managing demand and building capacity, leading to higher profitability and an expanded user base.
Smart devices can share data amongst each other, allowing businesses to utilize information from one sensor to optimize the performance of others for maximum efficiency.
Solving Problems
Integrating machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) into Internet of Things (IoT) devices can vastly improve scalability and risk management for businesses. The real-time insights generated by these technologies contributes towards better decision-making processes by leveraging the data gathered and analyzed by ML programmes.
IoT in the Media Spotlight
As businesses strive to enhance efficiency, achieve growth and advance their technological capabilities, many are adopting the Internet of Things (IoT). Vodacom is an excellent example of a company that has successfully implemented IoT to its advantage, utilizing the collected data to develop sustainable methods towards reducing their carbon footprint and in turn, cutting costs.
Infinitum Electric, Nobel Systems and WiseConn Engineering are among the many companies utilizing the Internet of Things (IoT) to gather and distribute renewable energy. In agricultural applications, IoT solar trees are being introduced in several countries. Employing IoT simplifies the management of energy production, maintenance of panel positioning and troubleshooting issues in intricate energy networks.
What are the Benefits of Using IoT for Renewable Energy Production?
Automation of Processes
By linking to the Internet of Things (IoT), businesses are empowered to improve operational efficiency and scale up production. With the help of sensors integrated into the IoT, solar panels are able to identify the best feasible conditions such as optimal orientation and height with no human intervention, ensuring maximum power production.
Integrating Internet of Things (IoT) technology with renewable energy can augment efficiency, minimize unplanned outages and increase reliability. Usage of IoT can also enable effective energy production regulation.
Elevating Productivity
Renewable energy has always been constrained by its lack of efficiency, as well as its intermittent and unpredictable nature. Nonetheless, the integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Machine Learning (ML) could enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the overall system. Engineers can regulate power production by monitoring and adjusting critical factors such as flow rate, efficiency, and storage capacity.
Elevating Safety Standards
Connected devices in the Internet of Things utilize authentication and access management measures to assure that only authorized users have access to sensitive data. Therefore, exclusive user access is granted to sensitive data and programs, significantly heightening system security.
Leveraging the capabilities of the Internet of Things (IoT) has the potential to save many lives. IoT devices permit remote monitoring and control of solar panels, which eliminates the need for perilous manual inspections of solar farms and wind turbines.
Cost-Saving Measures
Incorporating IoT technology into machinery monitoring offers a cost-efficient alternative to traditional maintenance practices, allowing organizations to increase productivity and decrease administration costs, resulting in lower monthly expenditure for the user.
Therefore, what is your projection on the developments of Internet of Things in renewable energy?
Revolutionizing Energy
The energy industry can undergo a significant transformation due to the advent of the Internet of Things (IoT), allowing for the development of more efficient systems. Dispersed energy generation is a key cause for congestion in this sector. Additionally, distribution and transmission of renewable energy could face challenges due to the current levels of unreliability resulting in considerable energy losses.
IoT-driven smart grids, with the ability to determine capacity levels precisely, can offer a potential remedy to this issue. Additionally, analytics can help evaluate the grid’s efficiency, enabling informed decisions that can be communicated across all connected systems. This results in reduced energy wastage, with a corresponding decrease in environmental pollution caused by the grid.
Smart Cities
Wide-scale implementation of the Internet of Things could pave the way for smart and eco-friendly cities that enable retailers to customize scales and counters to meet customers’ requirements. This could lead to reduced reliance on carbon-based fuels, facilitating the move towards a carbon-free energy system.
In the future, public services such as streetlights, surveillance cameras, and traffic signals could be powered by solar energy, eliminating issues like unlawful tapping and meter bypassing.
The Intersection of IoT and 5G
Governments worldwide are exploring the potential of 5G networks to facilitate the deployment of IoT technology, enabling cost-effective delivery of essential services to citizens. Besides, 5G networks could help businesses monitor critical infrastructure, enhance public safety, and optimise coordination of pedestrian and vehicular traffic across a broader geographic scope.
IoT and Renewable Energy
Several industries have adopted the Internet of Things (IoT) in recent years to enhance productivity and efficiency. It has enabled greater sustainability in the transportation industry and has made strides in the energy sector as well. With standardized networks and protocols, IoT allows businesses to remotely monitor their assets and troubleshoot issues, as well as optimize renewable energy production.
Renewable energy sources offer long-term environmental benefits, causing minimal pollution and risk. They are the way of the future, and businesses can consider integrating the Internet of Things (IoT) into renewable projects involving biogas, geothermal, and hydroelectric power facilities. IoT technology facilitates the safe and cost-effective distribution of green energy.
