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1 Quick Take: The Northeast blackout of August 2003 was the smart grid's first major driver, motivating significant federal legislation in 2005 and 2007. The 2009 stimulus package gave it the next big shove, pumping in $4.3 billion of federal funds that was matched by at least that much from the private sector.
Where will the next push come from? In certain parts of the world, it could come from the move to smart cities. That movement is not very strong in the submerging economies (Greece, Ireland, Portugal, United States, etc.) But in the emerging economies, the trend is taking off big time, as documented by the ABI Research report described below. The prime motivator is the desire to make cities more livable and more workable (more globally competitive). And you can't achieve either of those goals without a smart grid.
– By Jesse Berst
So where will all that money go? ABI looked at over 50 smart city projects around the world for data on the technologies that can make a city or community more efficient and more responsive to its residents.
Cities are exploring – and implementing – a number of options, said Larry Fisher, ABI Research practice director. Some cities focus on wireless networks and other communications technologies, while others are zeroing in on energy efficiency by deploying smart meters and other smart grid technology. And yet others are integrating public transportation with intelligent transportation systems to make the infrastructure more efficient, cut down traffic delays and reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
While there is no template that dictates what a city's approach to a smart city transformation should be, they do tend to share a number of traits such as a networked infrastructure, information and communications technologies, collective community intelligence based on effective planning for development and innovation management and a commitment to environmental and social sustainability.
"Due to city-by-city project differences, a one-size-fits-all approach cannot be applied to smart cities. In the long-term, the adoption of open standards will be of paramount importance as the basis for technology choices underpinning any smart city development," Fisher said.
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