Employing Smart IT Seen Reducing Energy Use, Industry Study Says

An analysis by the industry trade research arm Electric Power Research Institute shows how IT smarts can help reduce electricity use.

In a web posting this week, the institute contends a smart grid could potentially reduce annual U.S. energy consumption by 56 to 203 billion kWh in 2030, corresponding to a 1.2% to 4.3% reduction in projected retail electricity sales in 2030.

In addition, according to the institute, a smart grid can provide the catalyst for greater integration of renewable generation resources and greater deployment of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The combined deployment of seven applications enabled by a smart grid could reduce CO2 emissions by an estimated 60 to 211 million metric tons in 2030.

A smart grid is one that incorporates information and communications technology into every aspect of electricity generation, delivery and consumption in order to: minimize environmental impact; enhance markets; improve service; reduce costs and improve efficiency.

(Click on image to enlarge)

The above diagram, from the institute, depicts the interaction between consumer devices with communication capabilities, energy providers and transmission and distribution functions enabled by smart-grid network operations.

Global Warming and IT Jobs, Part II

I’m not alone (read Global Warming and IT Jobs: A Lose-Win Proposition) in seeing the battle against global warming benefiting the IT profession.

Jack Santos, CIO executive strategist with the advisory firm Burton Group, in a post on the business-tech pub Baseline’s website, writes:

We are embarking on the greatest period of innovation the world has known. What does this mean for IT? Consolidated and more-efficient data centers (virtualized storage, processors, desktops and cloud computing), smart-grid energy-use alternatives and a push toward Internet-based work-anywhere options (which affect employment).

As economic incentives and energy policies kick in, business will quickly begin to take advantage of credits or incentives to think differently about its energy use. This will continue to put pressure on wireless and mobility options, new technologies in unified communications and innovations such as tele-presence video systems. IT is center stage in these innovations.

No doubt IT will play a significant role in helping companies reduce their carbon footprints, as I opined in this video and a CIO Insight Editor's Note.