translated from Spanish: Launch experimental air quality measurement network via IoT technology

Before an audience of public and private specialists was presented the “Experimental Network of Air Quality Measurement”, led by the Mario Molina Research and Development Center, in collaboration with the Digital unit of Entel, Entel Ocean, and technology company Ericsson, during the Internet of Things – IoT seminar to meet the challenges of society, organized by the Swedish Embassy in Chile in the SOFOFA offices, on November 28th.
This first pilot in Chile takes the experience of a successful model implemented in Gothenburg, with the aim of expanding the information obtained from the measurement of air quality, incorporating mobility and new technologies IoT, with a significant impact on cost reduction to inform society of climate and environmental impacts.
How it works
This collaboratively developed solution has, in its first phase, a network of sensors tested and certified under a methodology of measurement of particulate matter and gases by the Mario Molina Center, which take and process samples collected from sources fixed and mobile.
Currently there are 11 sensors installed in different points, such as the Torre Entel in the heart of the capital, corridors with electric buses, precordillera areas, rural areas. With LTE Advanced’s new IoT technologies, the coverage of 4G telecommunication networks is doubled, and the measurement range could be expanded in places that were impossible to record.
This enabling technology made it possible to contribute with innovation by using sensors in motion, to add information about large areas throughout the country, with a single device, through vehicle routes such as Volvo buses from the Subus network of the Region Metropolitana and Scania trucks with routes from Santiago to Chiloé provided by the Ricardo Concha Transport.
For the transmission of the data obtained by the sensors, Entel provides the coverage of national connectivity with LTE Advanced technologies such as Narrow Band-IoT and CAT-M1, driven in a cutting-edge way by Ericsson. In addition, Entel Ocean provides kits that link air quality sensors to its Reef IoT analytics platform to transform data into information that delivers value for users, specialists and scientists.
In turn, this initiative is contributing to the global air quality sensing network, which began in Sweden and now has more than 500 municipalities providing data. This is an example of the triple Helix (three propeller) collaboration model linking the public, private and academic sectors united by social responsibility objectives to collaborate with a sustainable society.
“The main objective of this pilot is the democratization of real-time scientific measurements and methods. The experimental network measures particulate matter, CO2, temperature and atmospheric pressure among others, determining air quality indicators that could accompany and complement the traditional measurement tools we have today in Chile,” stresses Dr. Pedro Oyola Tapia, director of the Mario Molina Center.
At the same time, Frane Franulic, IoT Product Specialist of Entel Ocean states that “at Entel we have the necessary infrastructure, connectivity and platforms to power solutions under IoT technology, allowing us to join projects like this, which sustainablely develop the future of smart cities and smart metering, for the benefit of society.”
Volvo bus director José Antonio Margalet explained that “for Volvo, environmental care is a value that drives our actions. Today together with Subus and Ericsson we make available our urban buses in RED, so that through sensors the air quality is measured in real time and in mobile form in Santiago. With this project, still in the experimental phase, we confirm our commitment to sustainability in the transport industry.”
“Scania confirms its commitment to the environment to lead the shift towards a sustainable transport system. Our commitment as a transport company is to support the management of pollution risks in Chile, in order to generate real solutions that will give us a cleaner and more sustainable country”, said Alejandro Luchessi, Marketing and Communications Manager of Scania Chile.
Benefits
Climate measurement of air through IoT offers a number of benefits ranging from massification to real-time decision-making, including the ability to generate predictive models, supporting control measures for the benefit of environment and community. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are estimated to help with reducing global emissions by up to 15% by 2030. The carbon footprint generated by ICTs is only 1.4% of global emissions, however, these are key enablers to continue with environmental impact reductions.
“Over the years, Ericsson has stood out as an organization that combines technology, innovation and sustainability concepts, confirming every day that our business contributes to a better world. We are determinants that digitization can help address a number of global challenges, as well as being a driver of positive change in society, empowering a sustainable and connected smart world. With this experimental network presented today, we hope to create a value to the local challenges and technological solutions that have been created in this area”, says Roberto Cabanillas Acerbi, Director of Digital Services of Ericsson in Chile.
This partnership also reinforces the commitment to work together to achieve the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, contributing to several of the objectives set by the UN, such as SDGs3 Health and Welfare, SD9 Industry, Innovation and SDGs11 Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDGS13 Climate Action, and SDGs17 Partnerships to achieve the Goals.

Original source in Spanish