A lack of availability and access to the correct data is hindering the business community’s efforts to decarbonise, a new report by Siemens has suggested.
The report, entitled Digital Transformation, Sustainable Returns: The New Pathway of Infrastructure, explores the challenges and opportunities presented by digitalisation in advancing decarbonisation and resource efficiency.
It points to artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) technologies as having a transformative effect on the optimisation of energy, buildings, and industrial operations, however many firms still lack comprehensive and actionable data to drive effective decarbonisation strategies.
‘A powerful enabler’
“Digitalisation is a powerful enabler of sustainability, and decarbonising our buildings, grids and infrastructure is within reach with solutions that exist today,” commented Thomas Kiessling, CTO of Siemens Smart Infrastructure. “For example, with IoT driving down the cost of smart building technologies, we can connect systems, reduce energy use, and unlock massive savings,
“To accelerate decarbonisation and meet critical climate targets, we must harness digital technologies like AI and IoT in a more transformative way. The solutions exist, the savings are clear – there is no reason not to act now.”
Substantial potential
Based on a survey of 650 senior executives, the study notes that more than half of respondents (55%) see substantial potential for digital technologies to advance their decarbonisation initiatives and drive more sustainable businesses.
While 54% state that their organisations are ‘mature or advanced in the data-driven management of their operations’, some 44% of respondents say that they lack sufficient emissions data, 46% lack data on plant and machinery performance, while just under a third (30%) are missing critical energy consumption metrics.
Even when such data exists, businesses also face challenges when it comes to integration and analysis, due to fragmented systems and limited technical capabilities. According to Siemens, addressing these deficiencies is essential for achieving greater efficiency and sustainability outcomes.
‘Based on the results of the survey, it is clear that AI is the technology expected to have the most positive impact on decarbonisation and resource efficiency,’ Siemens noted. ‘33% of respondents believe AI to have the biggest impact in the next three years. However, for now, other solutions contribute significantly to emission reductions, including IoT, digital twins, smart grids, and edge technologies.’ Read more here.
