PRESIDENT’S COMMENT
IMESA
The transition to
SMARTER INFRASTRUCTURE As a developing nation, South Africa faces complex challenges, par ticularly when it comes to addressing social infrastructure gaps.
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ne of the most pressing challenges is the rate of urbanisation and population growth. In this respect, the findings of Statistics SA’s Census 2022 will be invaluable in providing a more accurate picture of how our towns and cities are evolving, and the sustainable responses required. The advent of Industry 4.0 technologies now makes it possible to interpret, predict and model data in unprecedented ways. For example, a drone survey of a township – with its informal and formal mix – can be compared against census and municipal data to see where non-reported areas need further investigation. In this respect, the creation of digital twins – virtual models of the real-world environment – serves as an invaluable tool for testing urban planning and land-use optimisation scenarios within the context of a smart city evolution. A case in point is the future Lanseria development in Gauteng. Along the way, digital twinning also enables municipalities to progressively budget and shift informal communities to serviced and permanent homes away from known floodplains.
Internet of things (IoT) A major advantage of IoT is the way new information and communications technology innovations allow real-time management of resource consumption and allocation. Examples include smart metering and billing for core municipal services like water and electricity.
As is widely known, a high proportion of municipalities are in financial distress due to non-payment of these services by consumers. However, thanks to smart technologies, municipalities can now manage their revenue collection far more efficiently and shut off or regulate defaulters. This is crucial for local government performance in funding and rolling out infrastructure maintenance and new construction projects. Financial auditing and the monitoring of municipal expenditure also becomes easier to control and manage, with timely opportunities to step in if there’s a red flag. From a budgeting viewpoint, operations and maintenance become further enhanced through the remote monitoring and control of installations like pump stations, as well as water and wastewater treatment works. In our arid country, smart technologies will also prove invaluable going forward from a water security and demand-side management perspective. In fact, the smart possibilities are endless: from intelligent waste collection and recycling, to integrated public transport networks that foster e-mobility, and municipal wheeling agreements with independent power producers.
We’re pleased to report that the response to the conference continues to be exceptional, with delegates registering daily. Please note that our Early Bird delegate discount closes on 31 July 2022. In addition to the presentations, and our technical tours, there will be a wide variety of exhibitors at this year’s event displaying a fascinating range of cuttingedge products and ser vices, as well as a wealth of applied knowledge. Sponsorship and exhibitor slots are still open, but filling fast, so contact our conference organiser, Debbie Anderson, for more information via email at conference@imesa.org.za or phone 031 266 3263. Due to Covid-19, our last in-person conference was in 2019. However, it’s clear that the industry is fully behind the return of a highly engaging physical event where public and private stakeholders can map a smarter way forward.
85th IMESA Conference Smart technology concepts tie in well with IMESA’s November 2022 Conference theme – ‘Adapting to our Changing World’ – where our presenters showcase projects and innovation.
Bhavna Soni, president, IMESA
IMIESA June 2022
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