Modern lifestyles influence urban infrastructure, increasing the demand for convenient, safe, and sustainable cities. Construction professionals can build smart cities to meet society’s demands using the Internet of Things (IoT). Industrial IoT is improving various urban features, reducing general waste.
Professionals are also using autonomous technology to reduce energy loss and improve repurposing capabilities at wastewater treatment plants. Energy professionals can give waste a second life with smart water treatment technology. Before evaluating the benefits of IoT for treatment plants, individuals must assess the technology’s support for urban spaces.
IoT and Smart Cities
Barcelona started adopting IoT technology in 2012, increasing the efficiency and affordability of essential city features. City developers connected transportation, air quality, waste management, and agricultural technologies using a fiber connection. Connecting the systems effectively minimizes energy waste, improving ecological conditions and cost savings.
Barcelona can access advanced features using monitors and sensors, preserving vital resources. Cities around the globe may utilize similar IoT technologies to improve local water quality, efficiently and effectively converting wastewater into potable sources and sustainable electricity.
Industrial IoT for Wastewater Treatment
Individuals are using industrial IoT to support wastewater treatment processes, meeting consumers’ needs. As the global population increases, the demand for pollution processing systems follows. The need for abundant potable water supplies also rises.
IoT technologies can help smart cities convert wastewater into drinking water. It also helps treatment plants save energy, repurposing waste for electricity. Conventional plants use over 30 terawatt-hours of power an hour, creating a large carbon footprint.
Energy professionals can convert a portion of the wastewater into energy, creating a self-sustaining system. IoT technology also enhances the efficiency of filtration practices, creating an abundant and affordable clean water supply. The systems have three key functions:
1. Level Monitoring
One feature of water treatment technology is level monitoring. The monitors track the amount of water stored in different tanks using smart sensors. Tracking devices inform plant managers of overflowing during storms, preventing contamination and energy loss.
Level monitoring technology also tracks the intake and output of water, predicting future consumption demands. Additionally, workers can use the sensors to prevent low water levels from damaging a plant’s pump. The technology can identify decreases in a tank’s contents and shut the system down autonomously.
Industrial IoT systems also connect level monitoring devices to managers’ smartphones and tablets. Individuals can remotely manage the systems using the efficiency-enhancing feature, reducing transportation-related energy loss.
2. Wastewater to Energy
Smart technology additionally helps individuals convert wastewater into sustainable energy supplies. Treatment plants can use air quality sensors to track the production of methane on-site from the decomposition of wastewater. Advanced technological systems can capture the biogas and convert it into electricity, reducing atmospheric degradation.
Treatment plants may also reuse the biogas energy on-site to reduce processing costs, creating an affordable water supply. Industries using vast quantities of water can significantly reduce their monthly expenses by sourcing energy from their wastewater. Sending wastewater to repurposing centers also helps companies save money by preventing pollution-related fines.
3. Water Quality Management
In 2014, Flint, Michigan, experienced a severe case of water contamination. The polluted water supply caused 12 fatalities and 87 illnesses. High levels of undetected lead and poor monitoring systems caused the water crisis.
Smart cities can prevent contamination and adverse health effects by using industrial IoT technologies. Water quality management systems help treatment plants efficiently monitor a supply’s microbial properties in real-time, autonomously shutting down distribution streams when they identify contaminants. It also improves workers’ response times after detecting quality deficiencies.
Building Smart Cities
After evaluating the beneficial features of industrial IoT technologies, urban planners may feel compelled to construct smart cities. Connected urban systems start with identifying major energy loss opportunities and then adding sensors and monitors to improve their efficiency. After construction professionals develop smart cities, they can provide residents with convenient and cost-effective services.
