About Social Media Today
Urban populations grow larger every day. Researchers predict that nearly 75% of the world’s population will live in cities by the year 2050. As a result of this continued growth, there’s a need — and a demand — for cities to build smarter infrastructures to ensure reliable operations and provide consistent, sustainable energy.
In the digital age, cities are finding technology can help solve problems more quickly.
One of the biggest advancements in this area is smart grid technology. In simple terms, the smart grid is an advanced type of power grid, which is the system used to distribute electrical power throughout a certain region. A smart grid is different, however, in that it actually allows consumers to participate in the distribution of energy, rather than just passively utilizing energy resources.
“When we’re talking about the smart grid, the focus is on information -– data -– and the new interaction, engagement and informed decision-making that data enables, as opposed to the technology itself,” says Michael Valocchi, vice president of global business services at IBM, one of the leading multinational technology and consulting corporations. IBM operates some of the most complex smart grid implementations in the world.
