Solutions for smart cities

How to shape the future of cities?

According to projections, nearly 70% of the world population will live in urban areas by 2050. While some megacities are already struggling to cope with the current inflow of people, we need to create smart cities in order to make these urban areas more liveable and truly sustainable. What is the definition of a smart city? What are the benefits and challenges? And finally, what are the smart solutions to urbanization?

01. Benefits

Benefits of Smart Cities

Smart cities and technologies have many practical and economic benefits:

Environmental impact: reducing the CO2 footprint is the main driver behind the development of smart and sustainable cities. Improving energy efficiency and storage, waste management, traffic conditions are among the greatest advantages.
Optimized energy & water management: smart grids and smart water management are recurring themes of smart cities. Energy consumption and potable water monitoring ensure the availability of energy and the quality of tap water across the city.
Transportation: clean and efficient transportation of goods, services and people is essential. In the hope of optimizing mobility, many cities are turning to smart technologies to ease traffic congestion and provide users with real-time updates.
Security: safety is a priority for all cities. The accelerated development of smart cities should allow municipalities to better monitor their citizens thanks to CCTV cameras with facial recognition. In addition, state-of-the-art CCTV cameras are also equipped with motion and smoke detectors, as well as fire alarms.

02. Definition

What is a smart city

A smart city is an urban development using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Internet of Things (IoT) to provide useful information to effectively manage resources and assets. This includes data collected from citizens and mechanical devices, that are processed and analyzed to monitor and manage traffic and transport systems, power plants, water supply networks, waste disposal, etc. Also called eco-city or sustainable city, the smart city aims to improve the quality of urban services or reduce its costs. It stands out for its specificities: smart management, lifestyle, mobility, housing, as well as a smart economy. Their main goal is to reconcile technological innovation with the economic, social and ecological challenges of the city of tomorrow. Their leitmotiv is the quality of life: how to live better together while respecting our environment.

03. Solutions

Smart Cities Solutions

Oct 2021

JBox & IECharge

An energy storage system for grid stabilization and EV charging stations

Utilities (Water, Energy, Waste)
Mobility

Sep 2020

Energy Efficiency Smart Home Solution

A pay-as-you-save solution for a holistic smart home

Buildings & Constructions

Mar 2020

Use case available

Skywater & Sopranature

An iot-based approach for smart greenroof irrigation and air cooling

Buildings & Constructions
Utilities (Water, Energy, Waste)

Sep 2021

Bio polyol

A sustainable solution for rigid polyurethane foam applications

Industrial Processes & Consumer Goods

04. Implementations

Smart Cities Solutions Implementations

Skywater & Sopranature by Soprema Group implemented by Pharmacie des Trèfles d'Or in Hésingue (France) in 2022

WasteHero Solution by WasteHero ApS implemented by City of Herning in Herning (Denmark) in 2018

Smart Travel Habits by Nudgd implemented by City of Uppsala in Uppsala (Sweden) in 2022

Smart Travel Habits by Nudgd implemented by City of Gothenburg in Gothenburg (Sweden) in 2021

Hydromedia RoofTop Duo by Holcim implemented by Emmanuel d’Alzon’s School Complex in Saint-Medard-en-Jalles (France) in 2019

Go To-U by GO TO-U implemented by TNB (Tenaga Nasional Berhad) in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) in 2023

Go To-U by GO TO-U implemented by ABB in Zurich (Switzerland) in 2022

Go To-U by GO TO-U implemented by NYSERDA - The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority in New York (United States) in 2024

Smartec by Salvi Lighting implemented by Energy Development Corporation Limited in Kigali (Rwanda) in 2022

Sympheny by Urban Sympheny AG implemented by IBC Energie Wasser Chur in Dübendorf (Switzerland) in 2020

aREAL® by Immovativ GmbH implemented by City of Hanau in Hanau (Germany) in 2019

Livin’ platform by Siradel implemented by City of Niteroi in Niteroi (Brazil) in 2018

Ennobox by E-nno Switzerland SA implemented by Edmond de Rothschild in Many cities (Switzerland) in 2021

Cargobici by Cargobici implemented by Bimbo Group in Barcelone (Spain) in 2021

Energy Geostructures by GEOEG implemented by EPFL in Lausanne (Switzerland) in 2021

Energy Geostructures by GEOEG implemented by Insula SA in Prilly-Malley (Switzerland) in 2024

05. Challenges

Smart Cities Challenges

However, these benefits come with a series of risks:

Infrastructure and costs: smart cities use sensor technology to gather and analyse information such as rush hour stats, air quality or crime rates. The implementation of these sensors requires a sophisticated and costly infrastructure.
Security and privacy concerns: even though security is part of the benefits, it can also be regarded as a challenge as the use of IoT and sensor technology increases. In fact, the threat of cyber attacks is a critical issue for smart cities. Also, to avoid concerns about data use, smart cities need to involve their citizens. Awareness, education, and transparency on the purpose of data collection are crucial to make the community feel that they are truly taking part in making their city more sustainable.
Social risks: inclusive urbanization must be a priority to deal with the increasing vulnerability of poor and slum populations. That is why we need to ensure that no population is excluded from smart city data collection and use.

Connect with us

Any questions

Feel free to get in touch with us
pauline.michiels@solarimpulse.com

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