Smart systems offer the most promising path for Australia to lift its long-term economic potential, according to a new Access Economics report which found adoption of smart technologies in electricity, irrigation, health, transport and broadband communications could increase GDP by 1.5% within 10 years.

IBM Australia today announced the findings of the ‘The economic benefits of intelligent technologies’ report conducted by Access Economics.

Commissioned by IBM, the report reviews the potential economic benefits from the adoption of smart technologies and systems, and reveals that adopting smart technologies in electricity, irrigation, health, transport and broadband communications will contribute:

• A 1.5% increase in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) within ten years;
   
• An increase in the Net Present Value (NPV) of GDP by $35-80 billion ove the first ten years;
   
• An additional 70,000 jobs to the economy in 2014 alone.

Smart systems will allow us to use this data far more effectively, providing the potential to radically alter our economy and society for the better. According to Glen Boreham, Managing Director, IBM Australia and New Zealand, this research demonstrates that the investment in smart technology has significant GDP and jobs benefits.

“This type of investment should form part of any stimulus package or budget allocations into the future. This is why we are delighted to see the government’s announcement in the budget that it will provide $100 million in this next financial year for an integrated system of renewable energy, smart grid and smart meter technology and infrastructure.

“This is exactly the type of investment we have been calling for. It is an important step forward and we strongly endorse it. IBM would like to see this type of smart technology approach adopted in all infrastructure projects,” Mr Boreham said.

Whilst adoption of smart systems is encouraged by the Australian Government, deployment is still in its infancy, states Dr Ric Simes, Director of Access Economics.

“When you look at the large amounts of data that are collected on a daily basis and how that is being used, the benefits of investing in smart systems become extremely compelling. Given the improvements that could be made in terms of decision making and societal coordination, this will ultimately lift our economic efficiency and living standards,” Dr Simes said.

Key findings:

• Smart systems offer the most promising path for Australia to lift its long-term economic growth potential.
   
• Adopting smart technologies in electricity, irrigation, health, transport and broadband communications will increase GDP by 1.5% within ten years, increase the net present value (NPV) of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by $35-80 billion over the first ten years, and add more than 70,000 jobs to the economy in 2014 alone. In each of the five areas, the benefits far outweigh the initial capital costs involved.
   
• Smart systems will contribute to efficiencies and increase production throughout the economy – not just in the five areas selected.
   
• Investing $3.2 billion in smart grid technology over seven years will lower electricity use by 4%; increase the NPV of GDP by $7-16 billion over ten years; and create 17,600 jobs.
   
• Adopting smart systems through the irrigation areas of the Murray-Darling Basin will reduce water use by 15%; increase the NPV of GDP by $420-670 million over ten years; and create 800 jobs.
   
• Investing $6.3 billion in an integrated national electronic health records system will increase the NPV of GDP by $6-13 billion over ten years; and create 12,000 jobs.
   
• Adopting Intelligent Transport System technologies will increase the NPV of GDP by $12-26 billion over ten years, and create 30,000 jobs.

It is understood that the NBN will provide fibre-to-the-home on a scale never seen before in the world, so there is insufficient data to quantify the economic benefits of this rollout. Instead, Access Economics has estimated the benefits of a less ambitious agenda: investing $12.6 billion in national fibre-to-the-node broadband. This would: increase the NPV of GDP by $8-23 billion over ten years; and create 33,000 jobs by 2011.

Link to report