Market transitions take a solid vision and years of hard work to materialize.  But even early technology adopters can realize significant operational savings with the products available today.  CiscoLive presents a once a year opportunity for customers to meet with many of the world’s top ICT thinkers and innovators—all in one place.  Though the Cisco EnergyWise partner program has over 100 technology partners, not all are shipping products.  Visit the EnergyWise Pavilion or the Technical Solutions Clinic for a deep dive look at what’s possible and what’s coming.  Cisco EnergyWise and the partner ecosystem can make IT professionals heroes.

For an overview of all events, visit the daily show schedule here:  http://www.ciscolive.com/us/week-at-a-glance.php#monday

If you haven’t registered yet and just want to wander the world of solutions, admission is free if submitted in advance.  http://www.ciscolive.com/us/registration-packages/

Cisco EnergyWise Events

• Collaborate with us on Twitter using the #energywise tag or find us on the Smart Connected Communities Institute’s Cisco EnergyWise site.  http://www.smartconnectedcommunities.org/groups/cisco-energywise?view=overview

• See Cisco EnergyWise in action at the Cisco EnergyWise-UPOE Pavilion, booth 2776.

• For the most comprehensive look at Cisco EnergyWise solutions, visit the EnergyWise site in the Cisco Technical Solutions Clinic, booth 2906.

Tuesday

8 AM:  “IT Transformed: The Impact of Energy, Sustainability and LED Lighting Trends”, presented by EnergyWise creator, Matt Laherty.

BRKSPG-1403--This course is intended to provide a survey of energy and sustainability trends and show how these will impact the network engineer. The course will cover: sustainable defined, ICT trends, Smart Grid and Smart Loads, energy profile visibility, net-zero buildings, real-time 3D operating BIM, Converged System Operations Center (SOC), and much more!

Wednesday

8 AM:  “Cisco EnergyWise Fundamentals: The Network as the Platform for Energy Management”, presented by EnergyWise Architect, John Parello.  John has over 20 years experience building products to solve significant customer challenges.

With energy and environmental constraints in mind, Cisco has developed a solution that makes the network a control plane for energy management. Cisco EnergyWise enables the network to monitor and manage network and network connected devices. This includes Switching, Routing, PoE, and Endpoints devices such as PCs, Servers, PDU's and facility equipment. Cisco EnergyWise makes the network a control plane for energy management and gives IT and Facility organizations the ability to manage energy using the network. This session will provide an introduction to the fundamentals of Cisco EnergyWise including principles, configuration, and deployment with a focus on energy and cost savings. Finally, the session will provide information about current and upcoming industry standards to enhance energy efficiency.

Thursday

10 AM:  “Cisco EnergyWise Deployment & Practices”, presented by Luis Suau, owner and operator of the Cisco Innervated Building lab.  No one knows more about turning up EnergyWise than Luis.

          BRKSPG-2403 - The session discusses implementing EnergyWise on a network. The session will cover:           configuration suggestion, implementation issues, Cisco solutions, and partner solutions.

All Week in the World of Solutions (Booth Map):

https://www.ciscolive2011.com/exhibitor/reg/boothmap/boothMap.jsp

Technical Solutions Clinic, 2906:  Several EnergyWise team members will have video links back to the “Innervated Building Lab” in San Jose, CA.  The team can discuss and demonstrate how to capture whole building, sub system and device level power information and project it on to a lobby digital sign, phone or hand held device (and other energy related topics).  The demos use a combination of beta and shipping products provided by:  Cisco, 1e, CA, Cyber Switching, Eaton, FieldServer, Industry Weapon, JouleX, Lenovo, NuLEDs, Schneider Electric, Raritan, WTI and more.

CA:  818 and 2776, the EnergyWise-UPoE Pavilion:  .  CA Technologies (NASDAQ: CA) is an IT management software and solutions company with expertise across all IT environments—from mainframe and distributed, to virtual and cloud. Our products manage and secure IT environments and enable customers to deliver more flexible IT services. We offer innovative products and services that provide the insight and control essential for IT organizations and foundational elements to make the promise of flexible IT and agile business a reality. With over thirty years of experience in IT management, our deep expertise in diverse and complex environments enables us to solve the toughest IT management challenges. We collaborate with our customers to help them grow their businesses, offer new services, become more competitive, and achieve the business goals they have set. Relied on by the majority of the Global Fortune 500 to manage their evolving IT ecosystems, CA Technologies makes business agility possible.  Visit CA in the EnergyWise Pavilion to learn how to manage power across you’re an organization using ecoSoftware & Cisco EnergyWise.  To learn more visit:  http://www.ca.com/us/ecosoftware.aspx

CommScope:  2776, the EnergyWise-UPoE Pavilion:   CommScope has played a role in virtually all the world’s best communication networks. CommScope creates the infrastructure that connects people and technologies through every evolution. The CommScope  portfolio of end-to-end solutions includes everything our customers need to build high-performing wired and wireless networks. As much as technology changes, our goal remains the same: to help our customers create, innovate, design, and build faster and better.  Visit the EnergyWise Pavilion to see new Commscope products in action.  www.commscope.com

Cyber Switching:  2434: Cyber Switching designs and manufactures power distribution products that are value-added solutions, easy to use and innovative.

See an EnergyWise enabled power distribution unit and other products in the EnergyWise Pavilion.  The Cyber Switching team has a long history working with Cisco.  Ask about their EnergyWise enabled Plug in Electric Vehicle charging station…  learn more at www.cyberswitching.com

Eaton:  1846:  Eaton, a diversified power management company, has been providing energy-efficient solutions that help our customers effectively manage power for over 100 years. Our highly efficient UPSs support data centers large and small and our innovative software solutions enable IT managers to manage and monitor their environment, both physical and virtual. Our managed PDUs are Cisco EnergyWise certified and our portfolio of products includes racks, enclosures, airflow management and in-row cooling solutions.  Learn more at www.eaton.com/epdu

           
FieldServer, 2906.  A FieldServer representative will support demos in the Technical Solutions Clinic.  They have a unique offering that allows customers to translate legacy building protocols to or from Cisco EnergyWise.  Learn more at www.fieldserver.com

Graybar:  630.  Graybar has specialized in supply chain management services and distribution of high-quality components, equipment and materials for the electrical and telecommunications industries for over 80 years.  Stop by the booth and discuss how Graybar can help you construct an intelligent building using Cisco EnergyWise enabled products.  The secret to Graybar’s success is their ability to monitor technology trends and help customers through significant product and solution transitions.  After you speak with the team, I’m sure you’ll understand why they’re a leader in the industry.

http://www.graybar.com/applications/intelligent-buildings

Industry Weapon:  Various locations and 2776, the EnergyWise-UPoE Pavilion.   Industry Weapon’s software is used for streaming media content throughout the show.  The IW team will be wandering the WOS answering questions.  Industry Weapon's CommandCenterHD platform provides digital media administrators with a centralized content creation, management, and distribution system.  Learn more at www.industryweapon.com

JouleX:  1746 and 2776:  JouleX is the leading innovator in enterprise energy management systems. The JouleX Energy Manager (JEM), provides Global 2000 and government agencies the ability to monitor, analyze and manage all network-connected devices and systems across the enterprise including the distributed office network, data centers and facilities. JEM can save enterprises up to 60% of the energy costs and carbon emissions while providing robust energy usage reporting that supports corporate sustainability initiatives and compliance requirements.   Get a first-hand look at the JouleX Energy Management Software.  JouleX built the first application that takes advantage of the full range of EnergyWise functionality.  For more information visit www.joulex.net

NuLEDs:  2776, the EnergyWise-UPoE Pavilion:  NuLEDs is an innovative lighting fixture and controls company.  NuLEDs built the first network powered and controlled color LED fixture.  See their product in action in the EnergyWise Pavilion or the Technical Solutions Clinic.  Learn more at www.nuleds.com

Raritan:  437 and 2776 the EnergyWise-UPoE Pavilion:  Raritan is a proven innovator of power management, infrastructure management, KVM and serial solutions for data centers of all sizes. In hundreds of corporations worldwide, our hardware and software solutions provide facilities and IT managers with the control they need to increase power management efficiency and improve data center productivity.  Take a closer look at the EnergyWise enabled PDU.  To learn more visit, www.raritan.com

Server Tech:   634:    Server Technology’s experts produce the highest quality rack-mount power distribution and monitoring solutions that manage power capacity, reduce downtime and improve energy efficiency. Server Technology’s extensive selection of Sentry CDUs is 100% performance tested for reliability and accuracy and is adaptable, enabling quick delivery of solutions that meet customer-specific requirements.  To discuss EnergyWise enabled products, visit their booth or learn more online at www.Servertech.com

Schneider Electric: 1435 and 2776, the EnergyWise-UPoE Pavilion: Schneider Electric's motto is "Make the Most of Your Energy".  As an original EnergyWise launch partner and global supplier of electrical products from UPSs, PDUs, to switch gear and more, visit Schneider Electric to learn how the facility and IT worlds are converging.  They will also have a unique EnergyWise demo.  To learn more visit http://www.apc.com/site/apc/index.cfm/ww/

Verdiem:  2776 the EnergyWise-UPoE Pavilion:  Verdiem delivered the first IT Energy Management solution for Cisco EnergyWise. Verdiem enables customers to centrally control and reduce the energy used by PCs, Macs, and EnergyWise-enabled devices such as IP phones by up to 60 percent. Customers achieve the quickest ROI – 6 months or less – at the lowest TCO.  Stop in for a look at PC power management tools.  To learn more, visit, www.verdiem.com

WTI:  524:  WTI products provide Out of Band console port access and remote power reboot & metering for Cisco routers and switches. WTI is a leading designer and manufacturer of console servers and smart pdu solutions for networks at local and remote sites. WTI devices are included in the Cisco Borderless Network Portfolio and compatible with Cisco EnergyWise.  Take a closer look at the EnergyWise enabled PDU.  For more information, visit www.wti.com

Too often the answer is “not much”.  When smart cities support wealth creation, they become a powerful economic force.  Wealth is the engine that powers community prosperity.

Economically healthy communities are created when residents produce net wealth.  Without excess wealth, the tax base, local money supply and velocity drop.  This causes the community economy to contract.

Numerous smart city initiatives around the globe have a stated purpose to support economic development, but when they omit local innovators and the business community, I wonder if the plan leaders and supporters really understand how wealth is created.  So let’s do a quick review.

Wealth is created when an enterprise produces excess capital from a new product or process.  Distilled into its most basic parts, there are two ingredients for wealth creation:   financial and intellectual capital.   When combined correctly, they should produce excess capital—which is wealth.

Let’s exclude mineral wealth from the discussion.  That’s a story focused on mineral rights and control.  Though financial and intellectual capital is required to extract it, the wealth could be accessed by many players.  The intellectual property (extraction knowledge) can be purchased from extraction companies (so it’s a commodity—though some service providers are probably more clever than others).

In theory, the formula for wealth creation is simple.  An innovator thinks and applies a new approach to an old problem or product (or creates a new product category that addresses an unmet need).  Once finished, the innovator can extract a price premium for the effort.  The formula is (Financial Capital (+ interest)) + (old process/product + enhancements + innovators wages) = Market Price.  When the market price exceeds input costs, wealth is created.  The wealth can be reinvested in the business or spent by the innovator.  Wealth expands the local community’s tax base.

Turning back to global smart city plans, why don’t more plans involve the community’s wealth creators? Regardless of the reason, success of plans that lack participation from this group is a coincidence.  If economic development is really a goal, it makes sense to include and cater to the needs of the wealth creators. 

I challenge readers to ensure that smart community development efforts address the needs of local wealth creators.  Moreover, don’t equate “knowledge work” with “innovation”.  Many written plans associate knowledge work with sustainable business.  They are not the same.  Some knowledge work is innovative, but many knowledge workers provide a commodity service as individual contributors.  They don’t need expensive office space in which to work.  If you’re not sure whether a business service is innovative and can provide sustainable competitive advantage, look it up on www.crowdsource.com .  Knowledge work is global.  On the other hand, many individual contributor knowledge workers could benefit from face to face serendipitous encounters with other knowledge workers—this is a case for shared office space.  Think before you build.

February 1^st often marks the start of Maple Sugaring in the lower Midwest.  Maple sugaring is the process of collecting Maple tree sap and boiling it down to produce pure (and real) Maple syrup.   If you’ve ever wondered why real Maple syrup costs so much, it’s because the process is energy intensive.  Fortunately, nature does most of the work.

How to Make Maple Syrup

1. Find a tree that’s at least 18 inches in diameter.  (So nature has already been at work for 30 years).
2. Drill a 3/8” hole about 2.5 inches deep.  The hole should aim up slightly (to allow sap to flow down).
3. Carefully tap the tap into the tree.
4. Hang a bucket on the tap.
5. Collect the sap. It contains as much as 2% sugar.
6. Build a fire.  Boil the sap until it reaches 119 degrees (this indicates ~65% sugar).
7. Once the sap is boiled down to syrup, strain it and put it in a glass jar.  It will keep all year if refrigerated.  Of course, on fresh blue berry pancakes, it disappears quickly.

I started making syrup a few days ago.  Some new technology would improve the process.  I’d like to add a Maple Sap-level detection network (MAPSAP-Net).  Since the sap flow rate varies by day (temperature/sunlight etc), it would be useful to have the trees tell me when the buckets are full.  Some days the buckets only collect a cup of sap; some days each tap can produce 3 gallons…   I’d also add a wood stove temperature sensor to alert me when more wood is needed.  On the other hand, sometimes technology just adds more complexity than necessary...

Join me for a momentary break from work (and the insanity surrounding the unraveling events in the financial markets) while I reflect on the impact of open systems.  Given that it’s November 1^st and Fall harvest time in the Northern Hemisphere, many farmers are out in force using their open source platform and apps to bring in their crops.

As far as I know (and let me know if you think of another), the first example of a complex solution built on an open platform can be credited to the farming industry.  The three point hitch and PTO (power takeoff unit) spawned a huge and diverse industry of application developers.  Together the tractor and implement manufactures enabled the growth of large scale farming.  The tractor platform allowed many family farms to increase productivity while reducing the number of hands needed per bushel.

The tractor, with its engine, three point hitch (used to secure application devices to the chassis) and PTO (used to power some application devices), allowed developers to build a huge combination of solutions.  Attachments include:  bailers, cutters, rakes, blades, carriers, tanks, seeders, disks, harrows, plows, generators, spreaders, blowers, grinders, post hole augers, log splitters, log mills, wagons, lifts, chippers, etc…

Open source platforms in IT aren’t new; they’re just recycling an old idea.

On Saturday, October 15^th, 2011, I plan to visit with several innovators involved in renewable energy, hydrogen storage and hydrogen powered transportation.  Chris McWhinney, CEO of Millennium Reign Energy, is hosting an open house at the Dull family homestead in Brookville, OH.  The Dull family will provide the renewable energy (from wind and solar).  Chris will provide the hydrogen (with his generator and fueling station).  General Motors will provide the car.

I’m especially looking forward to lunch cooked on a hydrogen grill!

If you’re in the area, join us from 10 to 3 PM EST.  Rides are offered from 10 am till noon. 12:15 pm select speakers from GM and MRE will discuss the technology and a future with hydrogen. Rides will resume 1:00 pm till about 2:30.

The Dull Homestead is located at 10404 National Rd., Brookville, Ohio 45309

http://residentialhydrogenpower.com/

http://residentialhydrogenpower.com/2011/03/29/energy-center-dull-homestead/

Bison at Custer State Park, South Dakota, July 2011

The history of the American Bison and the people who relied on them stands as an example of what can happen to societies when resources are poorly managed or depleted intentionally.

Good Plans Start with a Powerful Vision

The world’s current debt problems coupled with the depletion of cheap and plentiful carbon based fuels marks the end of the second industrial revolution.  Cheap energy powered global growth for nearly 200 years.  As energy prices rise to satisfy growing demand, it is becoming apparent to those watching, that the economic, political and climatic bill cannot be repaid.  More debt cannot solve a debt problem.  A new path forward is required.

Jeremy Rifkin’s latest book explores the Third Industrial Revolution (TIR).  In his usual thought provoking way, Rifkin provides a positive narrative that describes a prescriptive blueprint for powering an equitable and sustainable global TIR.  Rifkin does not mince words when describing the extreme challenges we face.   Not only is our quality of life at stake, but also our survival as a species.  Inaction is not an option.

In addition to the changes required to reach a sustainable economy, Rifkin shares real-world examples and lessons learned from pilot projects.  Over the years, Rifkin has actively facilitated meetings between world and business leaders who join efforts on TIR pilot projects to test and enhance his blueprints.  As a first hand participant in the TIR communities’ process, I can attest to its value. Fortunately, the changes required are evolutionary.  Though in sum, they will lead to revolutionary social, economic and political change.

The Five Pillars

Success of the TIR requires implementation of 5 supporting pillars.  Though some are still incomplete, they can be implemented separately and integrated over time as the processes, technologies and policies evolve.  The 5 pillars include:

1.  Shifting to renewable energy technologies;

2.  Transforming buildings by adding micro-power plants;

3.  Adding Hydrogen and other storage to every building in order to store  intermittent energy;

4.  Using information and communication technologies (ICT) to transform the grid into a bi-directional energy-sharing “intergrid”;

5.  Transitioning vehicles to electric and fuel-cell power plants.

Pillar 4 Unifies All 5 Pillars; It’s Key to TIR Success

Pillar 4, the energy-intergrid, is critical to enable the other 4 pillars to work together.  The future intergrid will have full knowledge of energy generation on and off the traditional grid.  With the intergrid, users and producers will have real-time insight into electricity transmission and distribution conditions, and know consumers’ preference for energy demand, reliability, emissions and quality at any point in time, and at any price.   Real-time energy monitoring (of both consumption and generation) is required to ensure balance between energy supply and demand.

The developing smart grid will enable realization of Rifkin’s vision because it includes smart loads.  These smart loads are comprised of all the energy consuming devices, micro-generation, storage and electric transportation contained in a facility.  By using ICT to connect disparate systems, buildings will have an energy central nervous system.  These innervated buildings will enable users to set real-time conservation and consumption policies that match their needs and preferences.

Without interoperable intelligent building systems, it would be impossible to optimize energy generation and consumption.  The innervated facility enables users to know how much energy they produce and consume at any point in time.  The intelligent intergrid will also allow consumers to sell energy to others.  Finally, innervated buildings will not only act as isolated autonomous energy islands, but also as nodes on an interconnected web linking distributed micro generation capacity with other consumers.  This is a key development for the 4^th pillar.  Intergrids will accelerate the role of lateral power.

Pillar 4 and Lateral Power Will Transform Society

According to Rifkin, The Third Industrial Revolution “will lay the foundational infrastructure for an emerging collaborative age.”  Later he notes “we are in the midst of a profound shift in the very way that society is structured, away from hierarchical power and toward lateral power.” I agree.  The marriage of ICT and energy empowers consumers and makes it possible for them to benefit financially even without producing excess energy.  The intergrid enables consumers to time shift energy use to low cost periods.  On the other hand, consumers who continue to use energy at anytime will probably see their bills rise.  But the cost reflects real-time supply-demand constraints.

Lateral power balances the interests of consumers with large producers.  Anyone can be a producer.  This shift is dramatic when considered in the context of our existing model where energy is extracted from remote regions around the globe by large corporations. Oil exploration, extraction, refining, and transportation require massive amounts of capital and long complex supply chains. Several years ago, after a discussion about energy supply chains, a friend concluded “we’ve perfected fragility.”

Every system in our economy is connected and all of them rely on the energy network.  The TIR creates a roadmap to reduce complexity and dependence on long oil supply chains.  The TIR and lateral power puts more control in the hands of individuals so they can use it effectively.  Because energy is economic oxygen it’s important to keep it simple and closely connected to people who use it.

Implementing The 5 Pillars

The TIR is underway.  Though not all the necessary solutions are developed, numerous projects will drive change while saving money and transitioning users to a new economic/energy model.  In practical terms projects can start without the full roll-out or integration with the intergrid.  While distributed renewable energy, buildings as power plants (micro grids), hydrogen creation and storage, rollout of ICT, and plug-in vehicles can all be implemented as independent initiatives, their combined value grows when each part of the puzzle is connected to the others.

Conclusion

The Third Industrial Revolution presents a solid blue print that leads to sound economic development.  It represents tremendous opportunity for individual citizens, organizations, businesses and political leaders.  Though I’m optimistic, I don’t think we have much time to react.  The last large scale energy transformation project ended with the 1970s—over 30 years ago.  Our existing economic structure won’t survive without another round of plentiful cheap oil and credit—but those days are over.

Rifkin's book is available now from Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Third-Industrial-Revolution-Lateral-Transforming/dp/0230115217/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1317817706&sr=1-1

Given recent announcements, a number of people have asked me for clarification around Cisco's energy and smart grid strategy.  For consistency and simplicity, let me direct you to Laura Ipsen's recent blog post on the evolution of Cisco's energy strategy.  Cisco EnergyWise will continue to play an important role.  Laura is Cisco's General Manager of the Smart Grid Business Unit.

http://blogs.cisco.com/news/evolution-of-cisco%E2%80%99s-energy-strategy/

Last week in Las Vegas, Nevada,  Cisco hosted 12,000 customers at Cisco Live.  As part of the event,  the Cisco EnergyWise team asked EnergyWise partners to help us  educate customers about energy solutions and how they will affect the IT  and networking profession. As you may know from following my blog, I  know a few things about energy solutions and trends.  But I am not an  expert in every domain.  There is a lot to learn.  As new products and  solutions are developed, I hope to share deeper insight with you by  engaging the domain experts and seeking their guidance directly.

It is my great pleasure to introduce Morgan Langley, PMP, Energy & Sustainability Advisor at CA’s ecoSoftware Group.

Make Sustainability a Discipline not an Event

I have the privilege to spend lots of time with customers both large and small. Little by little companies are starting to take sustainability more seriously.  Sometimes they do it for brand reputation, cost savings, or carbon footprint reduction as a few examples.  Many of these companies report to the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), Carbon Trust, or one of the many non-governmental organizations and feel that’s enough.  This reporting cycle is a yearly event that people dread and when they’re done, the outcome is a surprise to most involved.

The question is, how do we make it a discipline, save money, and drive good decision making as a company?

1. Treat sustainability just like any other discipline in your business.  A sustainability program that is well managed is the key to success.  As business people, we spent years honing processes and leveraging every efficiency we could find to drive out cost and become more profitable.  Treat sustainability the same way; put your efforts in a portfolio to track them, engage in a governance process before allocating money, and pay for results. 
   
2. Manage your energy (electricity, natural gas, fuel oil, etc.) just like you would any other asset or liability in your company.  It’s beyond paying the bill and complaining about the cost.  Understand where and how we use these resources just like any other tool.  As they say, “You can’t manage what you can’t measure.”
3. A part of sustainability is carbon management.  This is a result of all the other projects and programs you undertake; it’s one of your KPI’s, not THE end result.
4. Measure and control the other byproducts of your business, landfill waste, recycle, hazardous materials, and water fate and measure them as KPI’s to benchmark your success or challenges just as you do carbon.
5. Managing risk to the business usually comes from non-compliance to governmental regulations however; there are many other types of risk to consider.  They may be the lack of natural resources in the geography you operate or unknown premiums the company will have to pay for carbon credits in the future.  As resources become scarce and regulations grow, prepare your business to thrive in this evolving climate. 
   

You can draw a number of conclusions from the list above.  It’s time to take a programmatic approach to sustainability; tracking metrics on a timely basis, comparing those metrics to project/efforts under way while leveraging your resources to return the biggest bang for the buck.  All of this enables your business to react to markets, changes in regulations, and resource constraints because you are getting the most out of everything available to your company.

Morgan J. Langley, PMP| Energy & Sustainability Advisor | ecoSoftware Group | C 858.945.2343

To learn more about CA ecoSoftware: http://www.ca.com/ecoSoftware

Read CA’s blogs: CA Sustainability Perspectives

Follow CA on Twitter: @CAecoSoftware

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