When infrastructure gets smart, benefits are measured in people’s lives, says Wafa Jafri, associate director in the Power & Utilities Deal Advisory team at KPMG  

When infrastructure gets smart, benefits are measured in people’s lives, says Wafa Jafri, associate director in the Power & Utilities Deal Advisory team at KPMG

In a world that is overflowing with data, we need to manage the flow of unstructured ‘materials’ to be processed and organised so as to make it meaningful, i.e. information. This is key in ensuring a smarter future.

By generating and sharing this information on the nature, location and progression of specific threats, digital technologies promise to help emergency teams respond quicker, safer and more effectively -- better protecting both the public and emergency staff, while deploying teams and equipment exactly where they’re needed.

During emergencies, situation managers often have to make crucial decisions using the sketchiest of information. Smart infrastructure could dramatically improve both their access to reliable, real-time data, and their ability to collaborate with other public servants.

When infrastructure assets can change their operation to support the work of emergency crews, threats can be more effectively contained and closed down.

This all sounds very theoretical, of course, but the potential benefits are measured in people’s lives.

Wafa Jafri is an associate director in the Power & Utilities Deal Advisory team at KPMG. She advises clients on strategy, regulation and deals in the UK energy market. She started her career at RWE and joined the Department of Energy and Climate Change in 2013 for two years designing policy to ensure security of supply. She is passionate about the energy market transition towards a smarter and consumer driven energy system.

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