How to cut several megacities' worth of carbon? The right tech helps
How much impact can smart-grid technology really have on our energy consumption and carbon emissions? How about enough to eliminate the equivalent of all the greenhouse gases produced by Berlin, Delhi, Hong Kong, Istanbul, London, New York, Singapore and Tokyo combined?
That’s how much global technology giant Siemens says it helped achieve in 2011 with all the different environmental technologies it offers. Its portfolio of smart-grid technologies, efficient rail systems, logistics solutions and building, power distribution and security systems enabled customers last year to reduce their carbon emissions by nearly 320 million tons, the company claims.
Among Siemens’ latest innovations is a smart-grid application that lets utilities access time-synchronous network information via advanced energy meters. The technology allows electric companies to measure power quality as a means of improving network stability and supply security, and can even deliver graphical displays via smartphones and tablets.
It’s also developed a new “Smart Grid Compass” consulting and analysis tool for utilities, cities and building operators. The solution is designed to analyze existing power systems before they’re transformed into smart grids, and to identify ways to create new intelligent networks affordably and securely.
