Water Use Technology in the Smart Cities - Essay Example

Smart Cities Water Use Technology The Smart of Dubuque, Iowa has embraced the use of smart water meters. The smart meters operate through measuring water consumption and thereafter transmitting the water data through a wireless medium to utilities. Through giving the residents and city management access to an integrated analysis of water consumption, the smart city aims at encouraging water use change; so as to realize conservation, cost efficiency and water system repair. This water project was a partnership between the IBM and Dubuque smart city (Yates, D. et al., 2013). Dubuque has already implemented a water meter upgrading program in the whole city; and it teamed with A. Y. McDonald firm in the manufacturing of equipment called Unmeasured Flow Reducer (UFR). This device supplements the ordinary water meter through measuring accurately, low flow usage. The new meter system helps residents in identifying water wastages and hence adopting corrective conservation measures. The smart water meter takes water measurements after every 15 minutes in each household, and then sends information to the IBM cloud; cloud computing involves internet computing where resources, software or information is given to computer devices on demand (Deakin, 2007). Cloud computing enables the most rapid decision making, in the water conservation measures; in the cloud the water data will be studied to check problems in the water system like leaks. Songdo IBD, South Korea is a modern environment which uses technology to continuously innovate so as to improve the lives of residents and visitors. There is a centralized waste management system which has capabilities of disposing wet and dry waste, hence completely eliminates waste collection vehicles and associated environmental hazards. The city also has the mechanisms of reclaiming treated grey water and storm water; for reuse in irrigation projects involving general and green roof farms. Vegetated green roofs minimize heat island effect that affects other coastal cities. Water efficiency is an important factor in Songdo’s development projects. Green spaces around the city employ indigenous plants which require no irrigation or minimal irrigation. Grey water from buildings must be collected, subjected to treatment process, and thereafter reused for activities like irrigation, cleaning and flushing. Low flow plumbing equipments are standard in the smart city. A water technology system will be installed to ensure that storm water is treated and reused, and black water is reprocessed and treated (Coe et al., 2001). The Central Park canal system is driven by technology through wind turbines; and the entire water in the lake must be refreshed after 24 hour duration. Computer systems are integrated in all buildings to ensure efficient water resource usage. Energy use Technology Dubuque, Iowa has a sustainability initiative where it encourages organizations to get low interest loans for which will finance energy efficiency initiatives in their buildings. The revolving loan fund is worth $200,000 and it is established through initiatives of the US Department of Energy. The loans funds energy efficient projects that assist in significantly minimizing emissions of the green house gas (Odendal, 2003). A single property owner is entitled to a maximum loan of $50,000 to implement energy efficient improvements in the; electrical systems, energy management systems, mechanical systems, hot water and information technology systems. Songdo IBD, South Korea; is a smart city at the forefront of energy efficiency. There is a superior Information Technology System that controls energy use in all buildings, plants and facilities. Energy savings is achieved by connecting all building subsystems together through technology. Buildings are built with low U value to reduce the level of sunlight coming in and hence maintain heat or cool energy within the building. Energy consumption is also reduced through lighting the buildings through LED lights. Also renewable energy sources are used in this smart city; solar and wind energy is currently used in the city; and human waste is recycled in a generation plant to produce the required energy. Energy generation facilities use natural gas to generate electric power. By 2040 the demand for electricity will be 80% higher than the level today; Songdo is a smart city striving to efficiently achieve this target. Future Challenges of Smart Cities Songdo IBD, South Korea has experienced an immediate challenge of implementing and managing appropriate technology infrastructure. Developing a technology master plan is a complex process which requires huge investments of resources. The master plan converged system should have one unified network. The integrated network should include; water system management, energy system management, video surveillance system, environmental management system, transport management system and street lighting system. A longer challenge of this smart city involves developing the city vision and implementing it practically. In developing the vision; developers of the city should explain how the city will embrace innovation, creativity and new ideas (Deakin & Allwinkle, 2007). Also resource inputs should be increased as to cater for innovation or new ideas. Offering all technological services at once is a complex task; service delivery should be prioritized but this will slow down the achievement of the vision of the smart city. Measures must be put in place by the smart city developers to minimize, control or remedy the risks or challenges experienced. The city must first develop a blue print which will act as a guideline on how to meet vision effectively and efficiently. This guideline will explain the priority of technological services and infrastructure (Deakin, 2007). The guideline will also explain the integrated computer network that will manage all the activities of the smart city. Competent technology experts must be involved in the management of the technology master plan throughout the smart city stages. This is because experts are in a better position of solving technological problems which may arise in the process of implementation of projects of the smart city. Dubuque, Iowa also has challenges of sustainability in the smart city project. Financial resource for the project is limited. Smart city projects are massive and therefore finance must be available in order to acquire technological software, technological hardware and competent experts who will maintain its operations (Berry & Glaeser, 2005). A longer time sustainability issue involves pressure on infrastructure to be created by the projected population growth of the smart city. The smart city has programs which will attract an influx of people; for example workers, tourists, sports men and women, business men and political leaders. This influx is as a result of superior socio-economic and political amenities and infrastructure. References Berry, C. & Glaeser, E.L. (2005). "The divergence of human capital levels across cities". Papers in Regional Science 84 (3): 407–444. Coe, A. et al. (2001). "E-governance and smart communities: a social learning challenge". Social Science Computer Review 19 (1): 80–93. Deakin, M (2007). "From city of bits to e-topia: taking the thesis on digitally-inclusive regeneration full circle". Journal of Urban Technology 14 (3): 131–143. Deakin, M. & Allwinkle, S. (2007). "Urban regeneration and sustainable communities: the role networks, innovation and creativity in building successful partnerships". Journal of Urban Technology 14 (1): 77–91. Odendal, N. (November 2003). "Information and communication technology and local governance: understanding the difference between cities in developed and emerging economies". Computers, Environment and Urban Systems 27 (6): 585–607. Yates, D. et al. (2013). "Urban Sensor Data Streams: London 2013". IEEE Internet Computing 17 (6): 1. Read More