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IBM Bets on Water 'Smart Grid'

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 4, 2009 11:07 AM CDT
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(Newser) – IBM is developing a set of water grid technologies, designed to revamp the world’s badly outdated fresh water delivery systems in much the same way many countries are trying to upgrade their energy grids, CNET reports. IBM projects the water management business could be worth $20 billion within 5 years. “Water is the great sleeping crisis,” says the CTO of IBM’s green division, “and it is most definitely starting to wake up.”

In many developed countries, the physical infrastructure is so old that the IT grid may seem a lower priority. The US, for example, loses 25% to 45% of its water through old, faulty pipes. But IBM foresees governments and corporations wanting every water conservation tool available. “It’s something like greenhouse gases,” the CTO says. “Ten years ago, few people were talking about them.”

A buoy that uses sensors to collect data on water quality and sea conditions is seen in Galway Bay, Ireland. It's part of the SmartBay system, developed by IBM and the Marine Institute of Ireland.
A buoy that uses sensors to collect data on water quality and sea conditions is seen in Galway Bay, Ireland. It's part of the SmartBay system, developed by IBM and the Marine Institute of Ireland.   (AP Photo/Marine Institute of Ireland)
A freshwater testing complex is seen at the University of Wisconsin-Superior's Lake Superior Research Institute facilities.
A freshwater testing complex is seen at the University of Wisconsin-Superior's Lake Superior Research Institute facilities.   (AP Photo/Julia Cheng)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
cognitivefilter
Sep 5, 2009 8:55 AM CDT
i'm in...see you at wall street
Robert_Dada
Sep 4, 2009 6:39 AM CDT
Please don't hold your breath on that one. As population and development continue to run rampant along side of an environment, whose man made impact continues to reduce the availability of fresh water, water will become the oil of future generations, sparking conflicts and deals to do anything to get more of it. It's no surprise that Big Oil has been buying up water rights behind the scenes for years. They know where their next pot of gold lays.
schmidtkoff
Sep 4, 2009 5:34 AM CDT
IBM will NEVER hijack the great lakes water system. so i hope they don't even think about it. the great lakes compact encompasses, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and New York. i reallize that the artical has nothing to do with the great lakes compact - the article is speaking of water management. ibm BUT out of this discussion. ."In 1998, there was a Lake Superior-based company in Ontario that proposed to take water by tanker out of Lake Superior to Asia," says David Naftzger, executive director of the Council of Great Lakes Governors. IBM stick to your moniker: International Business Machines.

 
environment • greenhouse gases • IBM • infrastructure • water supply • Internet infrastructure • energy grid

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