The Value of Edge Computing for Sustainable Innovation

I recently joined an industry panel at the 2020 CleanTech Forum to discuss the benefits of edge computing in energy. During the session, I highlighted how power utilities and other energy organizations are implementing edge computing technologies to enhance production, extend asset life, and reduce its carbon footprint.

To summarize, here’s why stakeholders in the energy market should be paying close attention to edge computing and how it can be utilized:
 
The vast amount of data produced by machines in sectors, like power and water utilities, oil and gas production, mining, and renewable energy, dictate the use of a new, edge-centric computing paradigm. By implementing edge computing to industrial IoT initiatives, businesses will not only minimize bandwidth costs but also address latency, reliability, security, and privacy issues, as GE did by leveraging FogHorn to detect and reduce defects in the production of capacitors.

Moreover, the green tech industry is leveraging edge computing deployments in efforts to take environmental responsibility by minimizing their carbon footprint. Per the CleanTech Group: “Globally, we are seeing an unprecedented accelerated pace of low-carbon technology being applied across the energy value chain. In terms of energy investment, 2019 was the highest year in the past six years, with a total of $3.95 billion in investments and 447 total deals over the 12-month period.”
 
For these organizations, edge-enabled solutions will deploy real-time measurement data and machine learning (ML) models to directly impact sustainability initiatives, including:
  • Oil and gas organizations will be deploying edge technologies to monitor flare stack health and better understand emissions output. Through sensor fusion technology, edge solutions will help identify issues with compressor health and alert operators about potential regulatory violations.
  • Fleet transportation organizations looking to begin deployment of driving green tech use cases to detect abnormal regen and idling events in real-time -- ultimately reducing billions of pounds of CO2 emissions per year. 
  • Steel manufacturers will look to edge computing to save millions of tons of CO2 emissions by identifying defective parts produced in steel manufacturing as early as possible in the process to reduce scrap and increase yield.
The CleanTech Group recently recognized FogHorn in its 2020 Global CleanTech 100 list, an annual guide that highlights leading companies and themes in sustainable innovation. 
 
To learn more about the recent accolade, as well as FogHorn’s work in sustainable innovation, download the 2020 report, or send us a note here.

WRITTEN BY Ramya Ravichandar, Vice President