This places cities at the heart of the climate change discussion and sustainability. City authorities, planners and utilities are investigating how to develop the electrical infrastructure in a way that supports economic growth and high quality of-life while also integrating more renewable energy sources (RES) than ever before, and radically reducing cities’ impact on the environment.The answer is in the smart city paradigm that leverages data and digital connectivity to rethink the city planning and management for the long-term sustainability and wellbeing of cities.

To scale up rapidly and substantially, most cities will need to increase their focus on decarbonizing buildings, factories with electrification solutions, and smart mobility. In buildings, rooftop solar PV and solar water heating are easy to install and offer significant economic gains. In transport, electric mobility, when powered by renewable sources, reduces air pollution and is increasingly cost competitive.