New ‘library’ of blueprints to accelerate the adoption of IOT technology by Scottish councils

Scottish councils will have access to technology blueprints to “accelerate and scale up” their adoption of IoT (Internet of Things) technologies.   

Five technology blueprints will help authorities embrace the potential of IoT technologies, enhancing their efficiency and delivery of public services. 

CENSIS – Scotland’s innovation centre for sensing, imaging, and IoT technologies – has partnered with the Digital Office for Scottish Local Government to showcase successful applications of the technology and inspire others to follow suit.    

Stephen Milne, director of strategic projects at CENSIS, said: “Across the public sector there are pockets of really exciting and impactful technology adoption and there is a clear opportunity to communicate this with the rest of Scotland. There is already a general awareness of IoT, but we now need to work together to take ideas one step further – beyond pilot schemes – and roll them out at scale.”   

Funded by the Scottish Government, the how-to guides will outline both the opportunities and challenges authorities could face when introducing the innovative technology.    

Amongst successful applications of the technology featured in the guides are its uses for social housing, monitoring concerns such as dampness, energy usage and smart waste management.   

Air quality in schools, water monitoring for bacteria such as legionella, and winter weatherproofing also form part of the new blueprints.   

The scheme may also bring financial opportunities by unlocking “new markets” for “high-growth tech companies” CENSIS works with, Milne added.     

“These businesses can provide the technology councils will need to make plans a reality, using networks and equipment developed and made in Scotland.”   

This is the latest from a string of attempts by the partnership to boost IoT adoption across Scotland, which is an “important part of plans for a fair, green and sustainably growing economy”, innovation minister Richard Lochhead has said.   

In 2020, East Renfrewshire Council installed a smart gritting system to measure road temperatures across the outskirts of Barrhead. An IoT network then allowed for the data to be viewed along with weather data so the council could target resources and make the roads safer for users. 

Since, other authorities, such as Perth and Kinross Council and Highland Council, have also taken part in projects involving IoT technologies to manage and optimise their services and infrastructure.