MARCH 20179Disconnect between utilities/governments with customers/citizens - In most cases, governments or utilities are not able to promote inclusive participation from the public at large. How Can Mobile Apps Help in Overcoming the Above Challenges?Enabling estimates of costs and benefits from anywhere - Wind energy production depends on wind characteristics at a location. Previously, investors/developers would go to technical consultants to get a feasibility analysis done with respect to the expected power generation from a particular location. Now apps like Wind Scout that calculates the expected earnings for a wind turbine at a selected location. These apps save time and enable quick decision making.Cutting down customer acquisition costs - During a site visit, a typical sales rep interviews the customer, takes measurements, performs necessary calculations and takes notes. Compare this cumbersome process against sales mobile app like the one offered by EasySolar which works in sync with a cloud based software.A sales representative creates a module layout directly on a rooftop picture captured during a site visit. The use of a GPS function makes it possible to check solar radiation data for a particular location. The process becomes streamlined, thereby reducing sales cycle and customer acquisition costs.Increasing productivity through better Operations and Maintenance (O&M) - Water treatment is a tedious and resource intensive process. But there are mobile apps today that make this easier through accurate notifications for the O&M personnel. Apps such as Wateropol is also make the work flow more efficient through the presence of formulas, look-up tables, and calculators for volume conversion, flow conversion, pressure conversion, liquid feed rate, solid chemical dosing, and more.Ensuring energy efficiency through data analytics - Tracking energy usage is challenging. This is far better managed with a mobile app such asSmappee. Smappee provides information people need to track their energy usage, and understand the costs associated to that usage. All information is provided to users in real time, and the app displays energy costs for the previous 30 days. Users can also control different energy elements from the app, so wherever they are, adjustments are only a few clicks away.Optimized communication between governments/utilities and the public - Recently, the Environmental Pollution Authority, introduced the HawaBadlo App to improve the air quality of Delhi and NCR. The mobile app allows residents to report incidences of air pollution. The application, which also includes a section for officials to resolve cases and upload evidence of work done, enabled active participation from the public to effectively reduce a public menace.The above examples provide a glimpse of what mobile apps can do for the cleantech sector. The actual scope for mobile technology is more diverse. With the ever improving digital technology, one can clearly infer that mobile apps will play a critical role in the future of cleantech and consequently, in ensuring a clean and sustainable world. The development of clean technology is touted as one of the most effective ways to tackle climate change and other environmental issues
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