Open systems have the potential to spawn industries. They harness the intellect of [...]]]> Open systems appear to have a huge advantage over traditional, closed systems. Witness Firefox 3.5 ascending to the most used Web browser, or Wikipedia revolutionizing the world of online encyclopedias.  The folks at Google recently outlined their understanding of the meaning of open.  This paragraph stood out:

Open systems have the potential to spawn industries. They harness the intellect of the general population and spur businesses to compete, innovate, and win based on the merits of their products and not just the brilliance of their business tactics. The race to map the human genome is one example.

Sustainability metrics are growing in importance as organizations attempt to better measure their environmental impact.  For more information, see the Aquinas College Center for Sustainability.  If you doubt the importance of these initiatives, have a look at the Walmart Sustainability Index and consider how the third largest company in the world might drive some new requirements in this area.

I believe that the need to share, compare, and aggregate sustainability data will drive the creation of open standards in sustainability metrics.  We need transparency, collaboration, and standardization in order to build meaningful measures.

Disparate IT systems typically store information in silos and surface that data in closed formats that cannot be aggregated or integrated across organizations. Measuring the percentage of recyclable/reusable materials, use of hazardous materials/chemicals, and carbon/energy footprint of a product will continue to be guess work without standards and protocols to collect and surface this data.

Blue Sphere experienced this dilemma first hand when we helped create a system to measure the sustainability of products consisting of parts supplied by many different manufacturers within a supply chain.  We quickly learned that without standards and open systems by which to communicate data, measuring the recyclable content or carbon footprint of an assembled product is almost impossible. 

Open standards, XML and Web Services could be the answer.  Manufacturers could require an XML schema for each part or piece of material supplied.  That schema could describe the relevant sustainability data, which would be consumed and aggregated by a standardized process.  Each supplier in the value added supply chain could feed sustainability data to the consumer of their product or material.  The end result would be the transparency we need, with consumers and businesses choosing sustainable products based on accurate data and a meaningful feedback loop.

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Detroit needs an [...]]]> Eric Schmidt of Google recently gave a speech at the New America Foundation (a post-partisan think tank) in which he outlined the need for an innovation bailout for the US. Instead of simply bailing out failing institutions, we need to take this opportunity to revolutionize our economy, particularly our energy and transportation infrastructures.

Detroit needs an innovation bailout in the worst kind of way. But innovation doesn’t happen when entrenched interests (such as the UAW and GM executives) are fighting to keep the status quo. As a resident of Michigan I have witnessed the gradual decline of our automotive leadership and we are now at a crossroads. Should we continue to prop up a dying business model, or start fresh with a new one?

With $25 billion in automotive bailout money at stake, we need to think about the future. A quick and well planned bankruptcy would be the best way to initiate the complete overhaul our auto industry requires. We need all aspects of government (federal, local and state), along with private and other public entities, to help with this transition.

The scope of this endeavor is mind boggling. But the importance of hope, that a new direction could bring, cannot be under estimated. It is time for us to regain the upper hand by making a coordinated, well planned, drastic change.

What might this drastic change look like? The Chevy Volt is a good start. It’s all about efficiency — getting from point A to point B safely with the least amount of energy and emissions, saving the most money and reducing impacts on our surroundings. We need to cut total cost of ownership in half and in the process reduce carbon emissions. Build plug ins with smart technology so that drivers can easily discern the most efficient route to travel by providing real time feedback on traffic conditions. Enhance our electrical infrastructure to handle the requirements of charging vehicles away from home. Feed our energy grid with clean sources of efficient, low cost power such as safe nuclear, wind farm, geothermal and solar technology. Make energy efficiency and sustainable manufacturing technology the cornerstone of our automotive infrastructure.

Update (12/10/2008): Tom Friedman seems to agree. He mentions “Better Place”, a new car company startup based in Silicon Valley. Apparently they’ve already inked deals with Japan, Australia, Isreal and Denmark. With the bailout now in place, Detroit has chosen a slow, painful death. Time to go to a better place: http://www.betterplace.com

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I like where Google is going with this:

In particular, [...]]]> Can we all agree that the culture of waste, excess, and inefficiency in America needs to die quickly? Becoming more efficient with our use of energy is critical to breaking the cycle of debt. Energy is at the root of our wealth creation system.

I like where Google is going with this:

In particular, I believe we need to centralize our energy infrastructure on the electrical grid as soon as possible, including automotive transportation. Efficiency is gained when systems share a common infrastructure.

An automotive electrical grid will allow us to enable wind, solar, geothermal, natural gas and (responsible) nuclear to be used for transportation energy. Our existing electrical grid will need to be revamped to handle new inputs, and vehicular connectivity. The technology implications are huge and there may be some pleasant surprises in this area. We need them.

Our gasoline infrastructure will enjoy a slow and painless death, as gas stations are gradually replaced by charging stations connected to the same grid that is already accessible to most vehicles where they park while not in use. Simple, clean and less expensive.

Google’s Proposal for reducing U.S. dependence on fossil fuels: Clean Energy 2030

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