Munich example gives strong ‘Smart Cities’ message

September 29th 2011

Munich's citizen-owned power company is not only providing residents with their desired green energy services but is also contributing an extra EUR 100 million a year to city funds,  covering spending on projects which would otherwise not be achievable.

This headline fact emerged during yesterday's 'Smart Cities' session at the Scottish Low Carbon Investment Conference in Edinburgh.  Chaired by Scotland's deputy First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, the session included a detailed presentation by the Mayor of Munich, Hep Monatzeder, who revealed his city's EUR 100m bonus.

"The Munich experience is a compelling example of what some smart cities in Europe are already achieving," said Chris Bronsdon, SEGEC CEO.  "It also illustrates the point that we really don't need to re-invent the wheel in our search to find smart city answers which might work in Scotland.  In many cases, the solutions are already out there."

The 'Smart Cities' concept reflects the fact that cities, which contain approximately half the world's population, are responsible for 80% of greenhouse gas emissions. Dealing with the consequences of this fact has been given top priority status by the European Commissioner for Energy, both in terms of improving levels of energy efficiency and in seeking to reduce CO2 emissions.

Although the UK is perceived as being a bit 'behind the Smart Cities curve' at present, there are undoubtedly positives to be found, particularly in Scotland.

"There's an existing smart city knowledge base across Scotland of good individual expertise," said Chris.  "What we need now is to build on this, helping cities reach a joined-up position in relation to what they already know and are applying individually. There's also a need to assist those responsible as they seek to link into established European programmes and access available funding."

Collaboration
Jamie Robinson, who leads SEGEC's 'Smart Cities' work, agreed: "It's all about good collaboration. Cities in Scotland, and across the UK, need to start speaking to each other; exchanging knowledge and best practice, whenever possible. Equally, collaboration needs to take place between cities here and elsewhere in Europe, with a lot of good knowledge to be shared.  In addition, there needs to be increased collaboration between the public and private sector, an aim which is central to the European Commission's preferred model for smart cities.

"The development of the 'Smart Cities' concept must also be approached strategically. Individual city plans for energy and emission projects need to embrace the whole picture so that we end up with waste management, water services, sustainable transport, district heating, smart grids, etc., all fitting together as part of a sustainable smart cities solution."

* After attending the conference in Edinburgh yesterday, Jamie took part in the first meeting of the newly named Scottish Energy Advisory Themed Group on Renewable Heat (SEATGoR), which is part of Scotland's response to the European Commission's Smart Cities concept.

 

by Colin Ley, The Renewables Guardian