Just imagine the AC switching off for the washing machine; or dishwasher shutting down for you to put on the mixer-grinder. Internet of Things (IoT) and connected appliances can help appliances communicate and coordinate for optimal and efficient operations. Let’s see how this system works.
Smart appliances are fitted with sensors. Data collected by sensors is transmitted to central grid. Collected data includes variables from electricity load at specific times to availability to individual requirement of appliances. If green energy sources like solar are used, the smart grid takes the temperature in solar panels or blade resistance of wind turbines also into account.
Internet of Things for green energy
All data is recorded and monitored and then uploaded to the cloud for processing. There is a large amount of data processing involved. The process can’t be carried out manually. Automation and IoT are required for optimization. This particularly true in the situation where energy requirements are dependent on renewable sources of energy including solar, wind and water as they usually have an issue of consistency of supply.
“The Internet of Things, smart appliances and data processing in cloud could run a dishwasher on the basis of whether it is sunny or windy outside. The systems could switch off energy-hungry appliances like air conditioners when other devices are at work. This technology can provide the breakthrough that the world had been waiting for to improve power conservation,” said Shashank Dixit, CEO, Deskera, a global leader in cloud technology.
Power wastage in India is the highest in the world
Millions are without electricity, 40% households are powerless, and 400 million are in the dark. A chunk of power is wasted and rarely reaches consumers. According to World Resources Institute, power loss in India is 27%—highest in the world. There is great power wastage in the form of usage and transmission. Moreover, millions of tons of natural gas and coal was used to generate the wasted power that resulted in pollution and environmental degradation.
Internet of Things is critical for India’s plans to cut power wastage
With India’s fuels depleting fast, the country needs to find ways of energy conservation, for initiatives such as Digital India and Smart City. For example, the concept of a smart city is totally dependent of electricity and energy sufficiency. Internet of Things could be the key to power conservation and this technology can assist in cutting down carbon emissions and environmental degradation.
IoT and smart appliances optimize green energy use
IoT and connected appliances are very handy when power is not consistent, like the situation in India. It is imperative every bit of energy is put to optimum use. Optimization is also a must for a shift to green sources of energy. IoT, smart metering, wireless and connected sensors, and cloud-computing could be just what the world needs to fight power shortage, global warming, climate change and environmental disaster. Let’s pledge on the occasion of this World Environment Day that all available resources with humanity, including technology, would be put to use to restore our planet to its pristine self.