Enterprise Systems

Green Information Systems Concepts and PrinciplesDr. Dwyer Fall 20121What is IS?Information and communications technologies (ICT) are driving a continuing evolution of innovation for all human activities, transforming the ways we do things, at home, at work and in the larger society.The field of Information Systems (IS) studies the design, development, implementation, use and impact of information systems, which are complex socio-technical artefacts defined as integrated and cooperating sets of people, processes, software, and information technologies to support individual, organizational, or societal goals (Watson)

2What is Green IS?Development of information systems that provide the digital infrastructure for sustainable business processes. Examples:Monitor emissions and waste products to manage them more effectively. Dynamically route of vehicles to avoid traffic and minimize energy consumption. 3What is Green IS?Support distributed teamwork with telecommuting, collaborative work systems, group document management, and cooperative knowledge management.Provide information to consumers so they can make green choices more conveniently and effectively.

4Information as a resourceThe success of an organization depends on its ability to collect and analyze relevant information to make strategic decisions to seize opportunitiesThe success of a professional depends on their ability to collect and analyze relevant data in order to recommend and implement strategic actions5Applied to SustainabilitySmart grid and distributed power can make the electric grid more robustCentralized system is vulnerable, distributed system is more robust (Internet)Green supply chain uses resources more efficiently (UPS, Walmart)6Energy Informatics Framework7

Systems perspectiveSystems Theory - interaction between sub-systems (technology systems & organizational system/social system)Derives from biological systems, where components interact with each other (predators v. prey)Interacting components that affect each otherDynamic (always changing) non-deterministic8Relevance of Socio-technical Systems TheorySocio-technical Systems Theory argues that technological systems contain messy, complex, problem-solving components, Hughes, 1989Technological systems have embedded social components is central thesis of IS researchApply Socio-technical systems theory to impact of human activities on the earths environment9

Based on Hughes, 1989System goal: overarching objective or purpose for the system (example: deliver electricity)

Feedback loop: actual behavior of system is compared to system goal in order to make adjustment10Examine System GoalGoal of global economy is consumption and efficiency (profitability)Reinforced by economic measures such as GDPNeed to align system with goal with sustainabilityWill also require metrics to measure and support this re-alignment (see Evaluation and Indicators section)11Applied to Green ISSustainability -> risk and business continuityCell towers only eight hours of battery back upNew York Hospital put its backup generator in the basement which floodedAlso lost millions of dollars worth of medical imaging equipment and research materials12We are at a critical turning point13

19412004The Retreat of Muir Glacier, in AlaskaSuper Storm Sandy

14NYC Has to Plan for More Storms Like SandyNYT: Bloomberg Describes Plans for NYC Post-Sandy

Text of Mayors speech hereWill require infrastructure hardening, partly publically owned (roads and parks), part privately owned (grid and phone networks)In an age of fiber optics, we cant be so dependent on traditional copper wiring. Verizon I think learnt that lesson during Sandy, which took out an astonishing 95 percent of its copper network in downtown Manhattan. They are now rebuilding better and smarter with fiber, but full restoration will take months. Mayor Bloomberg, Dec. 6th

15Reaching limits of Nine Planetary Boundaries16

A safe operating space for humanity, Nature, September 2009

We estimate that humanity has already transgressed three planetary boundaries: for climatechange, rate of biodiversity loss, and changes to the global nitrogen cycle.The Synergy Between IS and SustainabilityThe IS skill set ports over directly to SustainabilityWe (IS) analyze how systems actually work, not just how they are designedFundamental IS concepts are directly applicable to sustainability issues, and provide ways to measure and encourage workable solutionsSustainability requirements analysisSocio-technical systemsSupply chain planet earthInteroperabilityDistributed systems17InteroperabilityA real virtue in any information system, it can be very helpful if applied to energy consuming systemsMake them interoperable so they can work with any energy source wind, solar, ethanol, etc.Brazil is the leader in the use of flex-fuel, this concept can be extended to many other kinds of systems18IS and Brazil: Global Leaders for SustainabilityBrazil is a global leader in renewable energy sources (hydropower and ethanol)Not just talk in Brazil, it works!Solution depended on interaction of technology (flex-fuel engines), agriculture (ethanol), and public policy (ban of gasoline-only vehicles)This model works, and we need to deploy it around the globe19

Ethanol distillery, Piracicaba, So Paulo State.Distributed versus centralizedIS concept: advantages and disadvantaged of distributed versus centralized computing systemsAdvantage of distributed: more flexible, efficient, and more responsiveAdvantage of centralized: better consistency, quality assurance, and standardization20Centralized power generation21

Centralized power generation is very inefficient, converting only 30% of energy into electricityDistributed power generation22

Distributed power captures waste heat and uses it for other needs (heating, hot water), for ~80% efficiency

23Current project: Co-generation, or combined heat and power

Giant containers for hot water heated as a by-product of electrical generation24

These tanks will replace our use of 30,000 gallons of diesel fuel to make hot water25Critical themes for IS and SustainabilityGreen IT Minimize environmental impact of the data center, and running technology in generalGreen IS sophisticated information systems that monitor and optimize use of resourcesIS Educators develop case studies, exercises, and materials that give students a richer understanding of intersection of energy policy, technical design, and individual choicesGreen HCI (next slide)26Green HCIIt is much easier to monitor Facebook activity compared to daily energy useGreen HCI provide clear and actionable energy consumption interfaces, that enableusers to minimize their energy use

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Standard meterSmart meter

Feedback loop

28Embed Green Behavior in a Social Context (OPOWER)

29Design and Aesthetics 30

Solid Waste Transfer and Recycling Facility, Phoenix, Arizona, 1993Research on Attitudes and BehaviorClimate change is an urgent problemUse of fossil fuels is a large contributor to green house gas emissions (GHGE)Individual energy consumption choices are related to GHGENon-economic methods are needed to encourage voluntary reduction in energy consumptionThe Relationship Between Energy Literacy and Environmental Sustainability, Low Carbon Economy, 2011

31Designed Energy Literacy CourseDevelop conceptual fluency with the economic and social components of energy useTopics include differences between fossil fuels, renewable energy alter-natives, and the link between consumption decisions and environmental impactSubjects: 188 students from eight sections of Introduction to Computing course (pre- and post-course survey)

32Why energy literacy rather than climate change?33

Climate change is extremely complex, and hard to explain to non-scientists.Energy can serve as a proxy for all sustainability issuesData from Wichita, Kansas, USA

34Variability lowers publics belief in climate changeData from Bela Horizonte, BrazilThis outlier undermines climate change argumentAnalysis of Energy Use is more tangible, more immediate

Three Attitudes EmergedDenial - Individual denies climate change is real, and has no intention to change consumption behaviorAgency - Individual recognizes climate change as an urgent issue, believes their own actions can contribute to a solutionAnxiety - Individual expresses concern that climate change/energy shortages will lead to chaos and global destruction

35Attitude Analysis36PreNEPERBPostNEPERBDenial-0.402***-0.286***Denial-0.166*-0.037Agency0.446***0.226**Agency0.466***0.294***Anxiety0.204**0.163*Anxiety0.313***0.344**** p