DUBLIN, IRELAND and ARMONK, NY, June 16, 2008 -- IBM and the Industrial Development Agency of Ireland (IDA Ireland) have announced the establishment of an IBM Centre of Excellence for Water Management. Located in Dublin, the new facility will focus primarily on innovative research and services for monitoring, managing and forecasting environmental challenges such as the movement of pollutants in fresh water, marine and oceanic environments.
"Ireland's track record in developing research and development projects, combined with its ongoing innovative approach to new business creation, makes it an ideal location for the Centre's research-based services," said Dr. Sharon Nunes, vice president, IBM Big Green Innovations.
One of the Centre's first projects is a collaboration with the Marine Institute, Ireland on its national research SmartBay project, which is under development at Galway Bay.
SmartBay is a research, test and demonstration infrastructure for monitoring and managing aquatic environmental data such as tidal flow, wave heights, temperature, and phytoplankton via an integrated network of sensors, robotics and computational technology distributed throughout the Bay.
IBM will develop an advanced sensor network, use real-time monitoring technologies, data analytics and next generation content delivery to provide scientists, commercial fishing & aquaculture, monitoring agencies and the public with access to environmental information in a similar way that we forecast and report the weather.
"The Marine Institute's aim is to create a mind shift in the way we view our marine sector in terms of economic opportunities through the application of knowledge. Our collaboration with IBM is a good example of increasingly sophisticated technology being applied to marine stewardship and management activities -- the research and development of which offers a significant new opportunity for Irish industry," said Dr. Peter Heffernan, CEO Marine Institute Ireland.
"The novel environmental technologies that will emerge from the collaborations around the SmartBay platform will create new business for Irish technology companies as well as enhancing the viability of the seafood, shipping and water monitoring sectors."
The Dublin Centre will also foster collaboration across Irish small and medium enterprises (SMEs), Government agencies and key academic collaborators including Dublin City University, University College of Dublin, and the Tyndall Institute at University College, Cork to improve water quality and water system performance.
Speaking at today's announcement Minister for Finance, Brian Lenihan T.D said, "Choosing Ireland as the preferred location for this global research centre is a significant strategic win for IBM Ireland and IDA Ireland. It enhances Ireland's reputation globally as a research and development location for emerging 'Green Technology' investments and is in line with the IDA's strategy of winning high-value knowledge-based research and development investments from leading technology companies. It also positions Ireland at the centre of IBM's emerging business strategy. This investment by IBM is extremely important for Ireland, ensuring further diversification of IBM'S Dublin Technology Campus Operations."
IBM Water Management Milestones
IBM is expanding its water management capabilities around the world. Earlier this year IBM established a Centre of Excellence for Water Management in Amsterdam where the primary focus is on flood management and levee systems. In 2007, IBM announced with The Beacon Institute, New York a technology-based monitoring and forecasting network for the Hudson River and estuary.
In addition to advanced water management capabilities, IBM is focused on several areas related to energy and the environment, including energy efficient technology and services, sustainable supply chains, solar technology, carbon management services, intelligent utility networks and intelligent transportation systems, visit http://www.ibm.com/green for more information.
For more information about IDA Ireland, please visit http://www.idaireland.com
For more information about Marine Institute Ireland visit http://www.marine.ie
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