Build infrastructure
- 1. Jan Softa @ somerco 2014-12-15 Enhance the EU member states competitiveness Part 20 – Build infrastructure Abstract Large - scale infrastructure is a corner stone for a functioning modern society. Therefore, it is important for Europe to be successful in building infrastructure clever. It has a tradition of being costly to build, but also to generate large incomes. I lift forward the necessity to build infrastructure safe and competitive in new innovative ways both in Europe and abroad. Besides, it is a large contributor to the balance of trade between nations, between EU and others. In addition, it is still one of the largest sectors for job employment. Background Helping geniuses! Our slogan sums up whom Somerco aims to help. Somerco are a company that target to help governmental and business professionals together with researchers and innovators so that these geniuses can create prosperity and jobs in society. Contemporary well maintained infrastructure is decisive for countries in order to provide a good service level in society. It gives states a competitive advantage over others. Therefore, to not stagnate economically it is necessary to rejuvenate old infrastructure and plan for building with emerging new technologies for infrastructure. It is important for EU that their member countries have companies who can build large-scale infrastructure. A high knowledge level among these makes it easier to get contracts abroad EU and will have positive effects on the balance of trade. In this paper, I discuss five large-scale infrastructures that can be modernised in EU and which knowledge can be used in order to get contracts in other parts of the world. I discuss electric vehicle networks, modernized ports, bio infrastructure and infrastructure for shale gas and 3D printed bridges.1 Introduction Throughout history, it has proven that those countries with a well-built infrastructure gain a competitive advantage. Historically, we find that the building of paved roads enabled more trade and more connections between the inhabitants of different societies. Later infrastructure was aqueducts and sewer systems. Each time in history has its new type of infrastructure that transforms society. The latest to cover earth is communication networks. Infrastructure is a foundation for modern society and the development of these comes in all sizes from small scale, to mid-sized and all the way to large international cross-border infrastructure. To be experts and build infrastructure well is important in order for new business opportunities to arise abroad. An example on this is Balfour Beatty whom has much knowledge of building infrastructure in many parts of the world.2 A positive effect is it creates jobs in Europe as well as at other places. Lately, we also find many examples of Chinese construction companies getting contract for building large scale-infrastructure in Africa that they specifically target. Bring to the table For all companies to have a competitive advantage they need to bring something to the table that is more valued than their other competitors. It is often a mix of being able to foresee new 1 I have discussed the importance of being in the forefront in the bio infrastructure in the paper Different types of infrastructure. In the paper Expansion options, I discuss the importance of the European ICT infrastructure reaching beyond EUs borders. http://www.slideshare.net/SomercoResearch 2 Balfour Beatty is the largest construction building company in the world. http://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/market-data/top-100-construction-companies/2013
- 2. trends on the market, a strong brand, a high knowledge level, a new innovative technology, great market position, to compete on price and quality and so on. In the five scenarios I have different focus on competitive advantages. When it concern electric vehicle networks the focus is on a high knowledge level, modernizing of ports is much about foreseeing new trends on the market (in trade), the bio infrastructure is about gaining a great market position, infrastructure for shale gas is about increased quality in a concept, large-scale building of bridges is about a new innovative technology. It is important for EU that these competences are developed among companies that build large-scale infrastructure. Thereby, it becomes easier for companies to compete on their home market but also export this competence and secure contracts on new markets outside EU. Electric vehicle network To state electric vehicles is more environmental friendly than vehicles with combustion engines is fairly safe. We already find that electric vehicles are a first option for many customers and to have industry that can meet the growing demand is important. We find this competence at an increasing number of car manufacturers around the world and the competition is becoming stiffer. What can be said about the infrastructure for the electric vehicle networks (EVN)? To have a high-knowledge level of how to build EVN among European companies will enable them secure contracts abroad for large-scale infrastructure. Besides the environmental effect it brings, it increases profit for companies and creates new jobs. When it concerns this competence there is less competition if we look into the future EVN. Moreover, it is an infrastructure that is rapidly developing with new innovative technology. A high-level of knowledge regarding electric vehicle networks is more than access to recharge the vehicle batteries in power plugs at homes, it is about understanding access to power sources and where to build EVN infrastructure besides at gas stations. In Europe, EVN is an infrastructure that is becoming increasingly important and we have companies like ABB that have a high-level of knowledge and are further ahead than many others.3 However, EVN will not just be found in Europe there are also a very large market potential outside EU. There are many new contracts to win abroad if European companies have a high level of competence in EVN infrastructure. It is not just about laying in the forefront in the car manufacturing industry, but also much about doing it when it regards the infrastructure it requires. In comparison to combustion engines, electric cannot move the vehicles as far. It means the usage of electric vehicles are more limited in sparsely populated areas, as in the north of Finland and Sweden, where access to EVN or power sources are few. Therefore, what can be done in order to improve this infrastructure in sparsely populated areas? 3 China rolls out the world's largest electric car charging network. https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=UkYHxiSrsHY ; 16 million people get access to electric car charging network https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFsAYxlcJyQ
- 3. Jan Softa @ somerco 2014-12-15 In the north of Finland and Sweden it is from time to time far between societies and even single neighbours. In these areas, it would be possible to place single rechargeable stations at rest areas on roads. To place these at rest areas enable also commercial heavy electric vehicles to benefit more from EVN. Perhaps, these can be recharged by small-scale solar power or wind turbines attached to the station. Other innovative ways to recharge these could also be used. Modernized ports In this scenario, I discuss the importance of foreseeing trends in trade and how this affects building of infrastructure. Trade is increasing due to people is achieving a higher living standard around the globe. Not everything we use can be locally produced and therefore we need to transport cargo by trains, on roads, and from ports. I focus on ports which are considered to leave less of a carbon footprint and the cargo that can ship between countries and continents by far exceeds what is possible on roads and trains. The living standard around the Black Sea has increased and will continue to do so and therefore more trade opportunities have arisen. It is very likely that this region will increase in importance for EU. Especially, it is an opportunity for ports in Bulgaria and Romania to upgrade their ports and modernize to highest standard. For EU to have two modern ports in the Black Sea will help trade between us and the countries around the Black Sea and also those countries further away.4 Therefore, to upgrade a port in Bulgaria and in Romania with the latest technology will be of interests for many. Either other European port owners, as Rotterdam, invest in an upgrade of ports here or their own government sees the opportunity and invest themselves in order to meet an increasing demand for trade. An increased knowledge about building and how to operate a modern port could then be exported to other parts of the Black Sea. I believe it is important for EU to have this knowledge so European owners of ports can build and operate whole or part of ports at strategic places of the world. The Black Sea is such a place. A little further ahead much more trade will take place between EU and Africa so to plan for this future demand is also important. To own and operate ports or part of ports abroad should be taken seriously by not just port owners as an important income stream for the future. It is beneficial if EU have a discussion about this between the Commission, Parliament, Bulgaria, Romania and port owners. It will help trade, job growth and brings an increased competence level of running state-of-the-art ports into new areas. Bio infrastructure5 Building bio infrastructure is an emerging infrastructure that companies in EU should have much knowledge in. To start, the entrance level is not very high. It is possible to build bio infrastructure with regular building methods. Therefore, it is important to gain a strong market position quickly due to competition. Gradually, these companies should include 4 China will send cargo trains between the Chinese coast all the way to Spain. 5 Bio infrastructure stem from bioengineering, biotechnology, biomimicry, synthetic biology etc and it has the purpose of supporting or creating infrastructure based on how nature works.
- 4. research from bioengineering, biomimicry and synthetic biology and implement it into building techniques for bio infrastructure. Bio infrastructure can be built by old building methods used by the constructing industry. The difference lays in that bio infrastructure relies less on “gray infrastructure” as huge pipes and sewage treatment plants. Green infrastructure techniques have another focus. Let us look into the difference between gray infrastructure and green infrastructure techniques during large rain storms. If we use gray infrastructure when a rainstorm comes it picks up contaminants that include bacteria, oil and grease, metals and so on, the runoff causes overflows from outdated sewer systems that combine both raw sewage and stormwater in a single pipe. This tide of pollutants ends up in surrounding waterways that serve as drinking water sources and recreational areas. This was the case in Philadelphia, New York and Portland before they implemented green infrastructure techniques. Instead of one facility or large underground tank to store water when a big storm hits, the idea is to eliminate the need for such storage through the use of green rooftops, roadside plantings, carefully landscaped parks, rain gardens, rain barrels, and other swatches of nature dropped down inside the landscape of modern cities.6 As exampled above, bio infrastructure has an important function to fill in a modern society and can be used as a supplement to gray infrastructure. We also find that the techniques to build these can be done by many construction companies around the globe. So for European companies to succeed internationally it is important to gain market position quickly. There is a growing demand for bio infrastructure in large and mega cities in for instance China. Therefore, it is important for EU to help companies and science projects who hold this know knowledge to meet the right people who plan for these large-scale infrastructures, both in EU and abroad. Shale gas infrastructure Fracking of shale gas is a topic that is discussed on some national levels and on an EU level. Large deposits exist in many European and other countries. There is a discussion about how this energy source and its infrastructure can be built in order to be less intrusive for society, its inhabitants and the environment. Much of the issues concern environmental aspects. The discussion revolves about that the technology for extraction of shale gas is contaminating the ground water. In addition, the discussion is about extracting it in a safe way for people and society by using new innovative technology and also continue research on these. Instead of focusing my discussion on the technology that extract the shale gas and its environmental impact I focus on its infrastructure. It is an infrastructure that follows where the shale gas exist, its placement is fixed and cannot be anywhere else. The infrastructure constitutes of pipes, drills, platforms for these and roads to these platforms. It can have quite an intrusive effect on the landscape with its roads in between these and will therefore have an effect on wildlife and fauna. So besides discussing innovative technology for extracting shale 6 To tackle polluted runoff, cities turn to 'green' strategies. http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Making-a-difference/ Change-Agent/2013/0129/To-tackle-polluted-runoff-cities-turn-to-green-strategies
- 5. Jan Softa @ somerco 2014-12-15 gas, it is also beneficial to look into example for conservation of wildlife and fauna where large-scale infrastructure is built. An obvious example is where oil is extracted, but also large-scale building of other infrastructure as airports might help to study. Both these are examples on locations where fossil fuel is very much present. I believe at airports there are a high level of knowledge about the effect of fossil fuels among rescue personal. Perhaps, it is important to demand that this increased knowledge about fossil fuels should not be too far away from the shale gas platforms. Are there any other measures to be learned from oil and airports that can be used that will help us reach EUs goal of a greener Europe? Are there lessons that can be learned from other large-scale infrastructure? Other aspects regarding shale gas platforms is that the drilling at these are used under a limited time and then the drills are moved to a new platform. Therefore, it is important to understand how it is possible to restore the ground where the platforms are placed and also the roads to them. Or should a few of these platforms be kept for a while before being turned into buildings for storage of goods?7 No matter if the thought is to restore these places or reuse a few of these for storage it could be decided before handing out permission for building infrastructure at these places. Perhaps, a percentage of 5-10% of this infrastructure could be used for new purposes and the rest is restored into its natural habitat. For nations and EU as a whole, to look into the effect of having companies who has the potential to build this type of infrastructure with a concept for how to use these places after the shale gas extraction ended will be of greater interest for people living in society. It could also be a competitive asset for companies when building at other parts of the world. 3D printed bridges Man could swim across water, but buses, tramways, cars and trucks do not carry very well in water. Also who does not like to keep their clothes dry? Therefore, we build bridges as a part of our infrastructure for transportation. There has been and are several techniques for building bridges that relies on assembling many different parts into a bridge. A bridge is more complex to build in comparison to a road and demands a higher level of knowledge and drives up costs. New technology in large-scale 3D printing can change the cost side of building a bridge. What special with 3D printing is it can make a product without a need to assembly many different parts. The less assembly there is, the less time it takes to produce a product, which in turn decreases costs. For instance, we now find this technology can build a house in concrete in 20 hours in the most imaginable shapes due to improvements in machinery and development of software that controls the process.8 Also, when building bridges there are 3D printing techniques that helps to reduce costs and time.9 Therefore, it is an interesting development for societies that need to help their inhabitants. In the European societies there is a large market, but there is also a huge market in those countries that has had less of a 7 I chose to exemplify with storage of goods but other people could suggest other ways to use these platforms. 8 3D printer can build a house in 20 hours. http://www.wimp.com/printerhouse/ 9 3D Printing Overhangs and Bridges. http://www.3dprintingera.com/3d-printing-overhangs-and-bridges/
- 6. developed transport infrastructure. I give an example of the potential in EU and one in the developing world. In London there is discussion about building a bridge in East London across the Thames due to increased population on both sides of the Thames. It is calculated it would add £55.7m to the economy each and every year.10 However, it is a costly process to build bridges and the alternatives that has been suggested are in the regions of £500-600 billions.11 It is also time consuming and thereby has an effect on traffic for long periods of time. Also, as always when infrastructure is built it will have an environmental impact. There is a debate to consider regarding if it add to traffic and create more pollution. Some believe it will be so others claim the opposite.12 No matter what an impact assessment concludes 3D printed bridges opens up a possibility. If 3D technology is used in order to decrease costs, some of the savings could also be used on measures that decrease the carbon footprint or restore the environment in London. Perhaps, these measures should exceed what effect a new bridge can have on the carbon footprint in London. Sometimes, new innovative technology opens up for new concept business models. There are plenty of opportunities in the developing world, as in Africa, to build and upgrade infrastructure. Many of these countries’ economies are growing rapidly so these can now afford this development. However, their access to money is not endless so any costs saving are welcome. If European companies had the knowledge to build bridges with 3D printing techniques their chances of securing contracts could increase much. Either they build these themselves or outsource these contracts to local competent construction companies and let them build these on licence agreements. To be able to add on a concept business model that includes the carbon footprint is a bonus service that could be appreciated. I hope the paper contributes to the discussion of the importance of building infrastructure competitive and in new innovative ways. Kind regards, Jan Softa 10 London's future growth depends on bridging the east Thames chasm. http://www.cityam.com/1405016591/londons-future-growth-depends-bridging-east-thames-chasm 11 Segregated cycle lane planned for £600m east London bridge. 12 Segregated cycle lane planned for £600m east London bridge. http://road.cc/content/news/122110-segregated-cycle-lane-planned-%C2%A3600m-east-london-bridge and Campaign for east London bridge intensifies. http://www.wharf.co.uk/2014/03/campaign-for- east-london-bridg.html
- 7. Jan Softa @ somerco 2014-12-15 Draft proposals Enhance the competitiveness of EU member states Part 1 – Designated tax to science Enhance the competitiveness of EU member states Part 2 – Strategy to support the software industry Enhance the competitiveness of EU member states Part 3 – Actions to support women in ICT Enhance the competitiveness of EU member states Part 4 – Going abroad–Competitive assets Enhance the competitiveness of EU member states Part 5 – Business incubators, financial recycling and incentives into reward Enhance the competitiveness of EU member states Part 6 – Standardization as a tool to increase competitiveness Enhance the competitiveness of EU member states Part 7 – Different types of innovations Enhance the competitiveness of EU member states Part 8 – Open source from science to society Enhance the competitiveness of EU member states Part 9 – Crowd sourcing and crowd funding Enhance the competitiveness of EU member states Part 10 – Green VAT for business Enhance the competitiveness of EU member states Part 11 – Keep talent in Europe Enhance the competitiveness of EU member states Part 12 – Research leftovers Enhance the competitiveness of EU member states Part 13 – Science Parks - Specializations Enhance the competitiveness of EU member states Part 14 – Patent trolls Enhance the competitiveness of EU member states Part 15 – Science e - Parks Enhance the competitiveness of EU member states Part 16 – Expansion options Enhance the competitiveness of EU member states Part 17 – The locally developed infrastructure Enhance the competitiveness of EU member states Part 18 – Treaty (Knowledge transfer) Enhance the competitiveness of EU member states Part 19 – Different types of infrastructure Enhance the competitiveness of EU member states Part 20 – Build infrastructure Enhance the competitiveness of EU member states Part 21 – Energy infrastructure (elsewhere) (In progress) Enhance the competitiveness of EU member states Part 22 – Quick market entry (Medical) Enhance the competitiveness of EU member states Part 23 – Innovation, Commercialization, Growth Enhance the competitiveness of EU member states Part 24 – External energy dependencies Enhance the competitiveness of EU member states Part 25 – Old innovations Enhance the competitiveness of EU member states Part 26 – The non-IP Parks Enhance the competitiveness of EU member states Part 27 – Digital inequality into prosperous society Enhance the competitiveness of EU member states Part 28 – Digital Magna Carta – exemptions in privacy Enhance the competitiveness of EU member states Part 29 – The networked subsidiarity (In progress) Enhance the competitiveness of EU member states Part 30 – Artic route (counterbalance) (In progress) Enhance the competitiveness of EU member states Overview – Old and new key areas in order to increase the competitiveness of the industry (In progress) Input on threats against information society