A new podcast on urban issues in energy, mobility and ICT began recently and it kicked off with an issue dear to IRIS Smart Cities – vehicle to grid technology for electric cars.
Project News
In IRIS Smart Cities flagship, Métropole Nice Côte d’Azur is proving essential to developing a string of near zero energy districts using the latest in smart grids, energy management and storage, data sensors and renewables – amongst other tech – generating a great deal of international interest from actors wishing to learn and replicate such initiatives around Europe and beyond.
EU Green Week 2018 held its official opening on 21 May in IRIS lighthouse city Utrecht with Mayor Jan van Zanen stating “We are ready to inspire and be inspired by cities around Europe and the World”.
May has been extra IRIS here in Gothenburg; with partners on stage and spreading the word of sustainable change and co-creation in many various situations and contexts. Katarina Nordstöm reports.
On Wednesday 23 May Utrecht witnessed a European first: 20 full electric vehicles got charged with solar power – simultaneously and after sunset. The event took place at the parking lot of the Jaarbeurs. The Utrecht mayor Jan van Zanen was present, together with the Secretary of State Mona Keijzer (Economic Affairs and Climate). Both spoke approvingly, as the surrounding press and visitors got a peak at the energy system of the future.
Since their inception in the 1990s, smart cities have only increased in popularity with the market expected to touch the $2 trillion mark by 2025. Smart city solutions are in part driven by factors such as increased urbanisation and climate change. While there is no doubt that ‘smartness’ fosters efficient cities, in his book Leading the inclusive city, Hambleton argues there is scant evidence to prove this very smartness is also building more inclusive cities.
An innovative solar energy grid that always matches supply and demand is at the heart of IRIS partner LomboXnet and Utrecht’s wider electric mobility vision.
Clearly identified solutions with proven performance in Europes leading smart cities looking to boost urban environements and stimulate the marketplace for sustainable tech.
The world of business has long recognised that attracting new customers may be rewarding, but involves a lot of hard work and expense. The same can be said for tempting cities and citizens to make a significant jump toward sustainable technologies and behaviours. So how can we make it easier? A group of seven European cities has started their hunt for answers…
This week Gothenburg in Sweden will host an international project meeting gathering all participants of the EU initiative IRIS Smart Cities. The project, of which Gothenburg is one of three Lighthouse cities, aims to develop and replicate smart solutions for European cities to become increasingly energy efficient, sustainable and attractive for their inhabitants. The meeting will be held within walking distance of several of the testbed areas used in the project