7. Achieving our digital potential
7.4 Sustainability: Using advanced technology to achieve sustainable growth as a nation
Sustainability is about ensuring our quality of life and prosperity for current generations, without limiting the ability of future generations to meet their needs. In our digital future, we will see governments, businesses and individuals changing their production and consumption habits while becoming more energy efficient to slow the release of carbon emissions into the atmosphere.
The issue of sustainability is affecting every part of our economy and society. How can digital solutions be leveraged to help us achieve our sustainability goals? – Summit challenge
Smart, sustainable technologies
Digital technologies can make a significant contribution to improving New Zealand’s environmental sustainability. Redesigning ICT hardware and systems along with smart procurement policies are already a high priority and can improve efficiency. Digital technologies also provide essential tools for businesses to accurately assess, document and communicate information on the sustainability of their products and services to concerned consumers around the globe.
Digital technologies can:
- reduce the need for travel through broadband enabled teleworking and videoconferencing
- improve transport network efficiency with, for example, intelligent transport management systems that manage traffic flows using priority bus signals assisted by global positioning systems (GPS) and electronic ticketing that reduces boarding time
- help in developing smart energy networks for electric vehicle recharging
- improve the efficiency and reduce the environmental footprint of our largest production sectors such as food and beverage, pastoral systems and forestry.
Digital content and digital tools can enable us to do many things faster, with better quality information, using fewer resources. But we must also consider the increase in ewaste and electricity consumption created through the digital revolution. The challenge is to improve the environmental sustainability of the digital technologies we use and to use technology effectively to reduce resource consumption.
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SUSTAINABLE ENERGY MANAGEMENT //////
The next revolution in electricity management will bring digital solutions centre stage in New Zealand homes. New Zealand’s electricity system already relies on precise digital technologies to report instant changes in electricity demand throughout the country back to the central system operator, resulting in real-time increases or decreases in power generation from the country’s large hydro and thermal plants. It is a 24-7 balancing act to ensure a constant flow of electricity down the wires.
‘Smart meters’ are being developed and trialled by several companies in New Zealand homes that collect half-hourly electricity consumption information. Eventually, consumers will have real-time information about their electricity use – and possibly different price signals at peak and off-peak times of the day.
With information, price incentives and automated technologies on power-hungry devices such as dishwashers, consumers can spread out their demand. This will help smooth the nationwide daily peaks in electricity consumption, which at the moment are fuelled by carbon-intensive coal. This is only possible with digital technology solutions. |
Action table
The following table lists actions where the use of digital technology can assist in achieving sustainable growth. A couple of examples are included but your contribution is needed to fill out this table.
| Action |
Lead |
Timing |
Budget |
| Carbon accounting and greenhouse gas emissions measurement |
Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry for the Environment |
Ongoing |
Baseline |
| Advanced Metering Project to ensure that there is an appropriate regulatory regine to support the widespread introduction of smart meters |
Electricity Commission |
2007-10 |
Baseline |
| ... |
... |
... |
... |
| ... |
... |
... |
... |