Smart cities and the internet of things (IoT) are defined by interconnectivity, and with both on the horizon, it could just be a matter of time before wireless capabilities become the key to the future of infrastructure. According to NetworkWorld, wireless technology will impact advanced metering infrastructure and produce a wireless world…that’s just around the corner.
Smart cities and the smart grids that supply them currently rely on advanced metering infrastructure (AMI). According to the Electric Power Research Institute, AMI is comprised of state-of-the-art electronic/digital hardware and software, which combine interval data measurement with continuously available remote communications. These systems enable measurement of detailed, time-based information and frequent collection and transmittal of such information to various parties.
AMI could become one of the defining aspects of the smart cities of the future. Its widespread adoption could lead to unlimited savings and greater ease of use for consumers of all income levels and suppliers of utilities, by harnessing real-time data collection and consumer consumption patterns.
Looking ahead, if smart cities of the future rely on wireless networks to meet their utility demands, they can expect lower costs and greater bandwidth. Wireless networks also have the capacity to collect data from devices which are digitally-dormant today, as the existing IoT has shown that virtually everything can eventually be connected to the grid, reported NetworkWorld.
As with any technology, challenges exist, including combating security vulnerabilities and building a durable grid more resistant to outside attacks. Overcoming these obstacles seems inevitable, as NetworkWorld predicts AMI will become a common acronym in the smart cities of the 21st century.
January 10, 2018
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