The installation of a new utility metering system in Malta by IBM continues to generate interest internationally, and is being considered a template for greener water and electricity generation technology for the rest of the world.
The latest review was published on the website Smartmeters.com, which monitors the technology's global roll-out.
The €70 million project announced earlier this year is being considered as one of the major ICT-driven business projects ever in the Maltese islands. It was also featured prominently on IBM's main website shortly after it was announced.
"Soon (Malta) will be known as the only country on earth to have a fully functioning smart grid in place once IBM's project is completed there. IBM's work in Malta is a template that the computer giant could transfer all over the world to create an interconnected planet," the IBM-penned article said. The ICT giant explained how its new smart grid will identify and isolate water leaks and loss of electricity throughout the entire system so utilities can more accurately plan for the needed supply of both resources. Consumers could save money as well when utilities pass along savings generated by newly realised operational efficiencies.
Once complete, about a quarter-million smart meters equipped with the ability to pass information between consumer and supplier in real time will monitor the power supply in real time. Based on the level of supply and demand, the system will work to set the variable rate that consumers will pay.
Customers that are able to conserve water and electricity will be rewarded with lower monthly bills. For the first time, Malta residents will have the ability to precisely monitor how they are consuming water and energy. It will be up to customers to become active participants to become more efficient.
IBM said it hopes to ultimately use technology featured here in other projects all over the world. The result will be an interconnected planet.
"The world continues to get smaller and flatter," Jeffery Rhoda, vice-president of public sector growth markets at IBM, said. "But we see now that being connected isn't enough. Fortunately, something else is happening that holds new potential: the planet is becoming smarter."
Big Blue believes the world will become a giant instrument panel. "Imagine, if you can, a billion transistors for every human being," Mr Rhoda said. "We're almost there. Sensors are being embedded everywhere: in cars, appliances, roads, pipelines... even in medicine and livestock."