I had a discussion with a friend this week about how water will be so crucial over the next 50 years. How it will become the next major environmental, political, energy, and social industry.
Well, IBM realizes this too and is preparing for it accordingly. They have created the next generation of water management software and are prepared to install it in utility systems around the world.
It’s quite interesting, read up:
“Here’s how it works in a nutshell: Sensors are scattered throughout a water district’s infrastructure – from reservoirs to the pipes that deliver H20 to homes – and gather information on water quality, leakage and other conditions. IBM (IBM) software analyzes that data and organizes it on a computer dashboard so water managers can at a glance detect problems and balance supply and demand.”
Even better, they are building a worldwide water network with a system called SmartBay. It’s like the Internet, but for water. By managing the software they are connecting access to all sensors and water information out there to their specific protocol.
“The project also uses fishermen as “nodes on the network,” allowing them to text-message reports of floating debris on the bay. SmartBay crunches that data and sends back a map showing the likely position of flotsam over the next 24 hours so boats can avoid collisions.”
Keep an eye out. Water could be the next oil or silicon. IBM could be the next…IBM?
*image source: newsday.com
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This is very cool
There is a big smile on my face! These ideas at IBM are exactly the type of programs that Brett is working towards. There is a lot of efficient planning and conserving that can come out of these type of projects. Thanks for this!