Video conferencing, solar panels and electric cars benefit from a new wave of emerging technology.
From Silicon Valley to Dublin, developments in green technology are leading the way. First came the telephone, then the television and now there is telepresence.
Telepresence is an advanced teleconferencing technology which Cisco has installed in all of its international offices.
The use of telepresence technology has allowed Cisco to slash money spent on travel. Workers no longer have to attend meetings in person that can be conducted using this new video communication technology.
Senior Vice President at Cisco, Don Proctor, says the new technology has also had an environmental impact saving over 100,000 metric tonnes of carbon emissions.
Silicon Valley in California is seeing investment in green technology. Mark Chandler, Director at the San Franciso Mayor's Office, explains how investment has evolved from chip technology 20 years ago, to the internet 10 years ago and now green technology.
Solar technology is an example of the rapidly growing green industry. John Harrtett, Chief Executive of G24 Innovations, says that solar is a $20 billion dollar market and is growing quickly on a global basis.
Wicklow born Conrad Burke is the CEO of Innovalight, a company manufacturing solar panels which it plans to sell at a fraction of the normal cost. He believes that solar technology offers a great opportunity for Ireland. John Bolton, Senior Vice President of the IDA believes that if Ireland can offer the necessary skills, then it can attract overseas investment.
The IDA is liaising with electric sports car maker Tesla. Minister for Communication and Energy Eamon Ryan took the Tesla Roadster for a test. The Roadster can accelerate from zero to 60 in just four seconds. It has a range of 220 miles before needing to be recharged. While Eamon Ryan is more accustomed to cycling, he says,
If you're going to get a sports car, I think this is the business.
Eighty per cent of global internet traffic travels through Cisco internet systems. Eamon Ryan believes that there is great potential for Ireland by attracting such industries.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 20 March 2009. The reporter is Paul Cunningham.
