Improving the environmental sustainability of their operations through the adoption of industrial internet of things (IIOT) technologies is a crucial priority for organisations in the energy sector, according to a new study by British satellite telecommunications company Inmarsat.
According to the study, energy companies are turning to IIOT-based solutions for two main reasons. The study found that 61% of respondents adopted IIOT with the goal of improving resource efficiency, and 54% did so to monitor environmental conditions (such as air quality, emissions and environmental contamination).
The research also highlighted that many energy organisations are realising their sustainability objectives using IIOT technology. 71% of respondents with fully deployed or trial-stage IIOT solutions stated that they were achieving environmental sustainability improvements.
Reported early successes in achieving sustainability objectives have been seen in the implementation of technologies that aid pipeline monitoring, leak detection and operational efficiency.Â
“The energy sector is faced with a multitude of challenges, tasked with reducing its impact on the environment and adhering to stricter government regulations, while grappling with a consistently lower oil price and increasing diversification towards renewable energy sources,” said Gary Bray, director of energy at Inmarsat Enterprise. “Our research shows that energy organisations are adopting IIoT to help them achieve these goals, and that many are succeeding in this aim.”
