Divyanshu Kamboj for Zondits, March 16, 2015
The Internet of Things (IoT) has consistently proven that technology adoption is no longer a hindrance in solving many business-related challenges. As cost and scalability concerns for IoT solutions have steadily subsided, it has now become a key enabler in extracting business value from connected “things.” Envision Energy is the maker of the Smart Wind Farm System, which collects data from various sensors to aid in preventative maintenance of wind turbines and solar panels, optimizes the efficiency of energy production, and accurately forecasts energy output in a timely way. Data latency has remained a critical component in driving business intelligence, and Envision Energy’s business model pivots heavily on urgency of sensor data availability to forecast production from their energy assets, and streamline operations to provide better services to the market. Asset remote monitoring is now just the tip of the iceberg, as companies like Envision Energy have fused together IoT and advanced Big Data analytics to induce time-sensitive decision-making into their business models. In the process of this they have discovered new services and revenue streams that had not existed prior. The IoT approach will continue to disrupt the way business has been typically conducted in the foreseeable future, and it is now becoming increasingly imperative for firms to investigate similar opportunities to remain sustainable and strategically relevant.
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Envision Energy Leverages IOT Technologies To Optimize Renewable Energy
Forbes, February 13, 2015
I keep coming across amazing use cases for IoT that radically change, enhance, or transforms industries. This week’s use case focuses on renewable energies like wind and solar power. I had the privilege of talking to Guido Jouret, president of the Digital Innovation Center at Envision Energy. Envision Energy is the maker of the Smart Wind Farm™ System which collects data from various sensors to aid in preventative maintenance of wind turbines and solar panels, optimizes the efficiency of energy production, and accurately and timely forecasts energy output.
The Business Problem
Wind farms are comprised of large, expensive wind turbines. These turbines are massive, complicated machines that are 15 stories high with blades that are bigger than an Airbus 380. The bigger the turbine, the more power it is capable of producing. These wind farms are frequently located in remote areas and require high reliability. To maximize the output, wind turbines must be adjusted to deal with wind direction and wind speed. Whenever a turbine is down for maintenance, it is not producing energy which lowers output, increases costs, thus decreasing profitability. If the angle of a blade on a turbine is off by a few degrees it can have a substantial impact on the output of that turbine. As wind speeds and conditions change, the blades need to be adjusted in real time to compensate.
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