IBM – Smart Grid
Power generation and distribution is
becoming a increasingly important
process, one that requires access to
vast
quantities
computational
of
data
power.
and
Energy
security has now become one of the
most important global challenges.
The increasing move towards nonrenewable energy generation is
applaunded
by
all
groups,
environmentalists, economists, and
world statesman, but this tranisition
over to renewable resource power
generation is not a short-term
strategy, most economies/countries will still depend on fossil fuels and the nuclearpowered power generation systems for decades to come. Utility networks around the
global are moving towards more intelligent systems, that allow them to optimize energy
generation
and
distribution.
http://www.ibm.com/smarterplanet/us/en/smart_grid/ideas/index.html?re=sph
IBM PLAYING A PART IN ALL ASPECTS OF ENERGY MANAGEMENT
IBM are providing the tools to help utilities manage their resources, by managing future
electricity load charging systems, overnight charging of electric cars, with the energy output
of these new renewable resources like wave power, wind and biomass. There are many
areas of the generation to distribution systems that are being targeted for more intelligent
systems of management, from optimization of power generators, through to the prediction
of preventive maintenance schedules.
IBM Smarter Energy Systems – MBA Case Study Project
BUSINESS CHALLENGE
The University of Hertfordshire (UH) and the Texas Tech MBA teams will look at the
below areas for London (UH team) and Lubbock, Texas (Texas Tech team):
PROJECT
The impact of residential micro-generation systems (such as solar-powered
technologies, ground/air source heat pumps, solar water heating and electricity
and micro turbines) on the public’s understanding and adoption of green
initiatives and technologies:
1. Identify the process by which consumers in the UK and the US find out
about energy-saving initiatives and how they evaluate the costs and
benefits of micro-generation systems for their homes.
2. Undertake a consumer survey to evaluate the awareness, understanding,
values, attitudes and behaviours towards purchasing micro-generation
systems. This should include a series of interviews with the suppliers of
micro-generation systems;
3. What changes would you recommend to the existing processes to drive
up future demand for micro-generation systems?
KEY DELIVERABLES
Each team will deliver a report that will combine together the findings from Texas
and London research studies for each of the topics above. A presentation will then
be given to an audience of IBM managers at either the Texas or London Offices.
IBM Smarter Energy Systems – MBA Case Study Project
Business Problem
IBM needs to better understand the consumers’, as well as suppliers’, level of
awareness towards energy efficiency in order to be able to provide them with
technologies that can change their consumption attitudes and behaviours. They
must be able to identify the motivations which will encourage them to adopt energy
efficient solutions.
In order to achieve this, the project team will first identify the consumers’
perceptions regarding the future scarcity of energy supply. In addition, the team
will recognize the drivers and barriers of smart energy acceptance among
consumers. The Team will then communicate with suppliers in order to better
understand their behaviours towards smart energy. Next, the project team will
identify how energy suppliers and consumers can benefit from IBM’s emerging
technology on smart energy.
Finally, the team will determine the market
opportunities for IBM
IBM Smarter Energy Systems – MBA Case Study Project