Environmental monitoring becomes more important. The need to comply with regulatory requirements and intensive activities to reduce pollution is increasing. IoT sensors can give accurate, near real-time data on the environment around us and help us understand how we are affecting the environment.

The cost of environmental sensors has come down in the last few years. Sensors are readily available and new technologies allow them to be installed anywhere in the city. Something that was not practical just a few years ago. NB-IoT connectivity has transformed the opportunity for environmental monitoring. Narrowband IoT is a low-power wide-area network that enables environmental sensors to operate for years on a single battery.

The value of environmental monitoring

IoT sensors need to be connected, managed and installed in order to collect the required data. A reliable communications network is a necessity to ensure that everything can be transmitted effectively. Environmental monitoring devices must also be calibrated before use. Calibrate the IoT sensors for local conditions, such as temperature and humidity ensure correct measurements. You need to understand the performance of the sensor under different environmental conditions so that you can adjust the data and model accordingly. You can then combine a small, properly calibrated NB-IoT sensor with high-quality environmental monitoring stations to get a good image of the entire area. More sensors allow you to explore the exact location to understand the environment at that point in time.

Combining data from many devices with lower accuracy will produce more accurate results. This process is sometimes called data fusion. Different IoT devices that measure different things, such as air quality and wind speeds. Adequacy of environmental monitoring is important to ensure accurate data acquisition. In this example, wind can play an important role in changing air quality, so you should consider wind speeds near or at the time of an air quality measurement. Inexpensive and portable devices can make a big difference in urban environmental monitoring and effectively complement existing environmental monitoring stations used in the past for regulatory reporting by providing enhanced insights.

Reliable connectivity is essential for managing devices and sensors. Ensuring all sensors and devices are working properly and can offload data generated to environmental monitoring services.

Narrowband IoT makes it easy to scale and deploy devices around cities. The infrastructure is already in place to support citywide rollouts from the start.

Environmental monitoring use-cases: 

NB-IoT can play a role in improving the quality of the environment. Municipalities and cities can deploy smart strategies to improve quality of life by monitoring air quality, water and energy. It contributes to a more sustainable city. Let’s have a look at these examples:

• Air quality Monitoring 

• Water monitoring 

• Energy Monitoring

Air quality monitoring. The air must be clean and healthy in order to breathe. Unhealthy air conditions can lead to health issues. NB-IoT-powered environmental monitoring solutions can be installed at locations to identify particulate matter in the air. Continuous air monitoring can inform quick decision making in the event of a decreased air quality. 

Water quality monitoring. Clean water is the most important resource in the world. IoT technology enables real-time monitoring of water usage patterns by installing smart water meters in buildings. Advanced sensor equipment can measure pH, oxygen levels, and impurities. Insuring the quality of water for drinking purposes. 

Energy quality monitoring

Sensor-based technology supports saving energy-related costs by providing the right information for decision making and energy consumption awareness. Intelligent environmental monitoring systems provide all the details about energy consumption patterns, making it easier to reduce energy consumption. Renewable energy is leading the future of sustainable energy. Knowing grid capacity in real-time is crucial for reliable power in cities. Smart meters and or IoT-powered solutions offer remote control over energy consumption and allow saving resources.

Benefits

Environmental monitoring is a highly beneficial IoT application. It uses advanced sensors to identify anomalies in the air, water and energy. Promoting better sustainability. You can keep the premises safer and cleaner by utilizing a smart environmental monitoring solution. Key benefits is that this technology connects IoT monitoring in all city environments and also creates important secondary benefits including economic growth and reduced traffic and pollution. 

Measuring the air quality of cities and industries is essential to comply with environmental regulations. Air quality information provides citizens with better resources to prevent respiratory illness and apply risk precautions. Environmental monitoring helps explain to the public the reasons for traffic regulation in the event of serious pollution. Cities that monitor pollution levels can take better steps to improve the air quality of their neighbours.

Benefits:

• Ensuring that the cities strategy around communications, data and financing is good;

• That cities could move forward with their investigations and procurement of environmental monitoring services;

• Air quality information provides citizens with better resources to prevent respiratory pathologies;

• Environmental monitoring is useful in explaining to citizens the reasons for traffic restrictions in the event of heavy pollution.

Conclusion

It is now possible to realize intelligent environmental monitoring through NB-IoT. NB-IoT can be a strong, long-term solution in an excellent position to meet all the requirements of an environmental monitoring use-case. NB-IoT also works in a licensed, managed spectrum. A robust and scalable choice for all city’s environmental management needs.

Cities that start environmental monitoring projects with NB-IoT Providers can share their experiences from previous deployments. Providing economies of scale and understanding the complexity of deployment In different environments.

Environmental IoT monitoring provides a new way for cities to stay in touch with the public. With secondary benefits as economic growth and reduced traffic and environmental pollution. The business model behind environmental sensors as a service is now achievable, affordable, and mature to the point of being profitable.