Author: Wang Feipeng Internet of Things Think Tank Original green and low-carbon development has become a global consensus. Major economies, including the United States, the European Union and Japan, have adopted the circular economy as an important strategy to address resource and environmental constraints, respond to climate change, and promote economic growth. These countries have deployed comprehensive circular economy action plans to accelerate their development and address new challenges to global resources and the environment.
At present, China is facing continuous growth in resource and energy demand, as well as a high degree of external dependence on some major resources, which makes resource security face great pressure. Therefore, the development of circular economy, improve the efficiency of resource utilization and the level of renewable resource utilization have become urgent problems to be solved.
At the heart of the circular economy is to optimize the post-circulation of used products and reuse valuable materials.
The development of the circular economy is of double importance to China. First of all, from the perspective of "dual circulation", it will help improve the efficiency of internal circulation, while enhancing China's position in the international industrial chain and reducing external dependence on scarce raw materials. Secondly, from the perspective of achieving the "dual carbon" goal, the circular economy helps to reduce the carbon emission intensity per unit of product by reducing the processing of raw materials with high energy consumption.
In the context of a new round of scientific and technological change, AIoT technology has shown great potential in accelerating the transformation of various industries. By combining the deep analytics capabilities of artificial intelligence with the broad connectivity capabilities of the Internet of Things, AIoT can not only significantly improve the efficiency of resource use, but also optimize waste management processes. This convergence of technologies provides strong support for the development of a circular economy.
What is the circular economy? What industries and industries are involved? What are the potential benefits of developing a circular economy and how big is the market? How will AIoT play a role in the development of a circular economy? What are the challenges? These issues will be discussed in this article.
Since the Industrial Revolution, people have adopted a linear mode of production and consumption: raw materials are extracted from the natural environment, industrially processed and manufactured into goods, which are consumed and discarded, and finally buried or incinerated.
This model continues to consume the limited resources of the earth to create products, on the one hand, it leads to the scarcity of resources, and the cost of extracting raw materials and commodities will become higher and higher. On the other hand, it also creates a lot of garbage and pollution, destroying the ecological environment of the earth.
Concerned about this vicious circle and its potentially undesirable consequences, some scientists are thinking about how to deal with it. Walter Stahl, known as the "father of permaculture", is one of them, and he proposed it in the late 70s"Cradle to Cradle".ideas.
This concept is a buzzword associated with national welfare policy"From the cradle to the grave".The essence of the proposal is to introduce the concept of biomimetics into the design of products and systems, regard the human industry as a procedure in nature, and regard raw materials as nutrients that can be circulated in metabolism.
Unlike the linear economy, which will cause the depletion of resources and the destruction of the environment, the circular economy is based on the continuous recycling and utilization of materials, forming a cycle of "resources-products-renewable resources", so that the whole system produces very little waste, or even zero waste.
The philosophy is also adhered to"There are only misplaced resources, no real waste".This aims to fundamentally resolve the conflict between economic development and environmental destruction.
The Circular Economy Promotion Law of the People's Republic of China defines circular economy as:In the process of production, circulation and consumption, the collection or general name of the reduction, reuse, and resource utilization activities drive economic development through the infinite circulation, transformation and value-added of materials, and adopt the mode of reversible circulation, multi-directional transformation, multi-stage utilization and no waste discharge, so as to reduce the overexploitation of natural resources and pursue "zero discharge" without ecological environment damage and pollutants.
The scope of the circular economy encompassesTangible and intangible products, ideas, models and behaviors, including products, infrastructure, equipment and services. This concept applies to all industries, including "technical" resources (metals, minerals and petrochemicals) and "biological" resources (food, fiber, wood, etc.).
As can be seen from the "14th Five-Year Plan" for circular economy, the development of circular economy covers a number of important areasIt involves multiple aspects of industry, society and agriculture.
First of all,The plan emphasizes the construction of a resource-recycling industrial system and the improvement of resource utilization efficiency. This includes promoting green design of key products, strengthening cleaner production in key industries, promoting circular development in industrial parks, strengthening the comprehensive utilization of resources, and promoting the co-disposal of municipal waste. These measures are aimed at achieving a more efficient and environmentally friendly mode of industrial operation.
Secondly,The plan emphasizes the need to build a recycling system for waste materials to build a resource-recycling society. This includes improving the best network of waste materials, improving the processing and utilization level of renewable resources, standardizing the development of the second-hand commodity market, and promoting the high-quality development of the remanufacturing industry. Through these measures, circular economy planning promotes the efficient reuse and continuous recycling of resources.
Finally,The plan emphasizes deepening the development of agricultural circular economy and establishing a circular agricultural production mode. This involves strengthening the resource utilization of agricultural and forestry wastes, improving the utilization efficiency of waste agricultural materials, and promoting the development model of recycling-oriented agriculture. These initiatives aim to promote the sustainability and resource efficiency of agricultural production.
In addition, the plan mentions a series of key projects and actions, such as:The construction of urban waste materials recycling system, the recycling development of the park, the demonstration of comprehensive utilization of bulk solid waste, the demonstration of resource utilization of construction waste, etc.
These projects not only cover the key technologies and equipment innovations of the circular economy, but also include specific actions on the high-quality development of the remanufacturing industry, the best utilization of waste electrical and electronic products, the whole life cycle management of automobiles, plastic pollution control, the green transformation of express packaging, and the recycling of waste power batteries.
Together, these projects and actions form the framework for the implementation of the circular economy plan, which aims to promote the efficient use of resources and the sustainable development of the environment.
In developed countries such as Switzerland and Germany, the circular economy is highly valued. According to the relevant data of the Swiss Federal Ministry of Environmental Protection**, of the 17.5 million tons of construction waste generated in Switzerland in 2018, nearly 12 million tons (cement, gravel, asphalt, etc.) were reused, and more than half of the municipal waste was recycled; In Germany, beverage bottles and waste paper can also be carried out uniformly through special channels**.
Within the framework of the circular economy,The increased service life of the product not only protects the environment, saves resources, but in many cases saves consumers money and opens up new business opportunities for companies that reuse resources.
During the "13th Five-Year Plan" period, China's circular economy has also achieved remarkable results: the output rate of major resources in 2020 has increased by about 26% compared with 2015, and the water consumption per unit of GDP has decreased by 28%. In 2020, the comprehensive utilization rate of crop straw reached more than 86%, and the comprehensive utilization rate of bulk solid waste reached 56%. In 2020, the comprehensive utilization rate of construction waste will reach 50%; The amount of waste paper used is about 54.9 million tons; The amount of scrap steel utilization is about 2600 million tons, replacing about 4 percent of the 62% grade (useful ingredient content in the ore) iron ore concentrate100 million tons; The output of recycled non-ferrous metals was 14.5 million tons, accounting for 23 of the total output of ten non-ferrous metals in China5%, of which the output of recycled copper, recycled aluminum and recycled lead was 3.25 million tons, 7.4 million tons and 2.4 million tons, respectively.
According to the "14th Five-Year Plan" for circular economy, by 2025, the output rate of major resources will increase by about 20% compared with 2020, the energy consumption and water consumption per unit of GDP will be reduced by about % compared with 2020, the comprehensive utilization rate of crop straw will remain above 86%, the comprehensive utilization rate of bulk solid waste will reach 60%, the comprehensive utilization rate of construction waste will reach 60%, the utilization rate of waste paper will reach 60 million tons, and the utilization of scrap steel will reach 3200 million tons, the output of recycled non-ferrous metals reached 20 million tons, of which the output of recycled copper, recycled aluminum and recycled lead reached 4 million tons, 11.5 million tons and 2.9 million tons respectivelyThe output value of the resource recycling industry reached 5 trillion yuan.
In the practice of exploring the circular economy, AIoT technology has shown its key role in promoting sustainable development and resource recycling. It is mainly reflected in the product strategy, service-oriented support and industrial ecological construction, providing innovative solutions for economic, social and environmental sustainability.
Support for product** policies
AIoT technology greatly enhances the information management of product operation by providing real-time product status and remaining life information, thereby facilitating the decision-making process of reuse, remanufacturing and material improvement. This ability to obtain real-time information reduces the risk of implementing a reuse strategy and improves the accurate assessment of product value.
The application of AIoT technology is not onlyIt helps the accurate tracking and management of materials, and promotes the effective utilization of waste, providing technical support for the realization of the closed-loop chain. By tracking the entire lifecycle of products, components, and materials, AIoT technology improves the efficiency of waste** and reuse, while also providing businesses with a more holistic view of their resource reuse. The specific performance is as follows:
Promote remanufacturing activities. In the circular economy, remanufacturing activities are seen as a powerful means of extending the life cycle of products and materials. AIoT technology greatly improves the efficiency of the execution of remanufacturing tasks by monitoring the status, location, and condition of products in real time. Using embedded sensors, AIoT technology can effectively reduce the uncertainty in the remanufacturing process, optimize operation planning, and prevent damage in the product dismantling process, so as to maximize value in the remanufacturing process. In addition, AIoT also supports the design of products that are easy to maintain, upgrade, disassemble and improve, further strengthening the company's remanufacturing capabilities and extending the life of resources.
Improve the process. ** is a key link in the realization of a circular economy, and the implementation of AIoT technology can significantly improve the efficiency of waste sorting and **. By employing AIoT devices such as sensors, waste collection and reverse logistics processes can be optimized, improving decision support and efficiency in resource use. The combination of AIoT and other cutting-edge digital technologies heralds the possibility of improving the performance indicators of circular economy models, including the optimization of material circulation, product life and rate. With the data generated by smart products, users can get detailed information about the material composition of the product, which is essential for developing appropriate strategies.
Support servitization
In the context of circular economy, the concept of servitization is gradually becoming a key strategy for enterprises to add value and create competitive advantages. Servitization, the process of maximizing the value of a physical product through additional services, has been adopted by many industries and organizations as an important means for them to win the market. AIoT technology has played an integral role in this transformation, not only pushing the boundaries of manufacturing, but also:Facilitates the transformation of enterprises from a single product offering to providing integrated product and service solutions.
AIoT technology connects products and collects data generated throughout their lifecycle in real time, enabling companies to expand and deepen their services"Product-Service System".Integration. This integration improves the responsiveness of the business to customer needs and increases the overall value and longevity of the product.
AIoT technology enables companies to create more value for product refurbishment and end-of-life activities through precise product design, effective customer attraction, monitoring and tracking of product activities, technical support, preventive and advanced maintenance, and improvement of the product user experience.
The application of AIoT technology not only improves the service delivery ability of enterprises, but also ensures the efficient operation and maintenance of products, laying the foundation for the pay-as-you-go business model. Relying on AIoT technology, intelligent connected products have become the key to the success of the "product-service" business model, which provides strong technical support for the success of enterprise servitization strategy by improving the possibility of product application and increasing its value, and realizing real-time monitoring of product status, function and external environment.
This technology-driven transformation of servitization not only enhances the adaptability and flexibility of enterprises to the market, but also provides a new way to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
Support the establishment of an industrial ecosystem
In the process of advancing the circular economy, AIoT technology becameEnhance circular business modelswithFacilitate cross-industry collaborationThe key to two important levers.
The development of AIoT technology has led to the innovation of circular business models, which cover multiple fields such as regeneration, sharing, and optimization, and fundamentally broadened the application scenarios of AIoT applications.
The benefits of AIoT technology are the benefits of the proliferation of smart products, easy access to product data, and effective management of life cycle information, making it possible to move from a traditional linear business model to a circular model based on the principles of economic, social and environmental sustainability.
AIoT also plays an important role in driving product development in line with the circular economy. In the context of a new round of digital transformation, the application of AIoT promotes the integration of assessment tools and management systems, which can effectively collect and process process and business data.
In addition, AIoT supports the development of circular business models and design strategies through its tracking, monitoring, control, and optimization capabilities, providing technical support for maximizing the value of resources.
In addition, AIoT technology has also shown its unique advantages in establishing industrial symbiosis and facilitating connections between different stakeholders along the value chain. AIoT technology promotes the systematic development of collaboration mode, data sharing and resource sharing, and has become a key enabler of circular strategy and automation collaboration mode.
It enables industrial symbiosis to match and monitor the flow of synergistic interactions between materials, products, and companies, increasing parts sharing and reutilization.
From a customer perspective, AIoT technology enables companies to develop a strategic vision in product development that encompasses the entire production network and consumer behavior, facilitating a closed-loop lifecycle and improving customer satisfaction and well-being.
Connected AIoT devices also facilitate the development of cleaner production strategies and sustainable smart manufacturing, supporting energy-intensive manufacturing companies to make the best decisions.
From the local case of the Hongmiaoling waste treatment project in Fuzhou City, we can get a glimpse of the role played by AIoT in the circular economy. The project has innovatively implemented a series of measures by integrating cutting-edge technologies such as big data, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things, thus completely changing the traditional model of municipal waste disposal.
First of all, through the deployment of IoT devices and 5G communication technology, Hongmiaoling Park has realized real-time monitoring of the whole process of waste disposal. The application of these technologies enables park managers to comprehensively supervise and manage all aspects of waste collection, classification, transportation and treatment in the full time and space dimension.
This real-time data acquisition and analysis provides decision-makers with accurate information support, making the waste disposal process more efficient and transparent.
By analyzing the large amount of data collected, project managers are able to identify bottlenecks and problems in the waste disposal process and thus take targeted measures to make improvements. For example, data analysis can optimize waste collection routes, reduce processing time and costs, and improve resource utilization.
It can also realize the precise management of waste disposal. Including the accurate identification of garbage classification, according to the amount of garbage generated, resource allocation. In addition, through intelligent analysis, the park can monitor the operation status of waste treatment facilities in real time, find and solve problems in a timely manner, and ensure the safety and reliability of the waste treatment process.
Secondly, the project has also established a digital platformThis platform not only promotes mutual trust and supervision between internal collaborative entities, but also provides a channel for public participation outside the park. Through this platform, the public can inquire about the status of garbage disposal in real time and give feedback. This feedback mechanism strengthens the interaction between the public and the governance body, and ensures that waste disposal policies and measures can be understood and supported by all sectors of society.
Finally, the Hongmiaoling Park has built one using a digital platformThe pattern of multi-agent collaborative governance。This pattern includes not only enterprises, third-party professional service organizations, but also the general public. Through technical means, effective communication and collaboration between these subjects have been realized, and they can participate in all aspects of waste disposal. This collaborative governance model greatly improves the efficiency and effectiveness of waste disposal, and is a model of urban management using AIoT technology.
AIoT technology has shown great potential in the application of the circular economy, aiming to advance the progress of sustainability through improved monitoring and operational efficiency. However, this journey of innovation has not been without its challenges.
Although AIoT technology offers unprecedented opportunities for environmental protection and resource optimization, its integration in the circular economy faces significant obstacles at the technical and organizational levels.
First of all,The highly fragmented nature of AIoT technology presents challenges of scalability, interoperability, and service adaptability that exacerbate the complexity of the system。Experts have pointed out that achieving interoperability, adaptability, and upgradeability of AIoT devices requires innovation in hardware and software design.
In addition, cybersecurity risks, privacy protection concerns, low connectivity between devices, and difficulties in data access and management further limit the application of AIoT technology in the circular economy.
Environmentally, while the monitoring and efficiency improvements brought about by AIoT equipment have a positive impact on sustainability, the raw materials and energy consumption required to manufacture them cannot be ignored. Therefore,When AIoT solutions are deployed extensively, a comprehensive life cycle assessment is required to ensure that the pressure on the environment is mitigated.
At the organizational and strategic level, the development of AIoT technology-enabled circular economy systems requires secure interconnection between heterogeneous devices, end-to-end connectivity, and the creation of adaptive AIoT applications.
This requires an effective communication and integration strategy that takes into account both the needs within the company and the entire value chain. Understanding and meeting the needs of external stakeholders is equally critical, including customers, merchants, and others.
However, the inadequacy of existing decision-making methods and data management strategies, as well as the cost of advanced technology, pose a significant barrier to real-time data access for companies with limited budgets.
In the journey of exploring the integration of digital green, circular economy and AIoT technology are working together to outline a grand picture of the integration of ideas and technologies. The circular economy challenges the traditional mode of production and consumption, and opens up a profound change in the efficient use of resources and environmental protection. AIoT technology has played the role of a magician in this transformation, using its wisdom to guide the circular economy towards a more efficient and green future.
Although this journey is full of challenges, we still believe that with the continuous advancement of technology and the emergence of innovative models, the integration of AIoT and circular economy will become more and more close, and gradually lead us into a new era of efficient resource recycling and environmental friendliness.
Reference: "The 14th Five-Year Plan for the Development of Circular Economy", National Development and Reform Commission.
Digital Collaboration: A New Engine for Municipal Solid Waste Management: A Case Study of Hongmiaoling Circular Economy Industrial Park, Wang Huimin and Zhang Tingjun.
Research on the Integrated Development of China's Digital Economy and Circular Economy", Li Nana.
Opportunities, Challenges and Strategies for the Development of Circular Economy in the Context of Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality", Li Junfu.
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