Telecom for green cities - A key enabler for low carbon cities

ICT is the main enabler for improved quality of life and sustainable solutions within cities. Studies show that ICT can reduce global CO2 emissions by 15% by 2020. Ericsson believes that with an innovation-driven climate agenda, reductions could be even greater. Modern ICT solutions, ranging from education and information services, health and transport, can give global access to vital services, without sacrificing our environment. ICT applications such as security, education, energy, and health will, in this deep dive session, be touched upon in a 2020 perspective. Thereafter we will divide into three sub-groups for a round table discussion about:

Transport

Capabilities of the urban transport systems and services have a major impact on the attractiveness of a city or region, for businesses and citizens. Efficiency, cost and environmental impact are key concerns when setting goals for urban transport solutions. Modern telecommunication services can be critical contributors in solving these concerns. Two key contribution areas will be high-lighted:

  •  provisioning of fixed and mobile broadband access to homes and major meeting points, removing a number of reasons to travel.
  • provisioning of communication as enabler of Intelligent Transport Systems & Services (ITS) (connecting infrastructure, vehicles and travellers).

Within the ITS area we will discuss opportunities when applying mobile network systems and market momentum on:

  • Road usage charges
  • Public transport information and ticketing
  • Traffic management
  • Electrical vehicle charging

Energy

Reduction of commercial and residential energy consumption as well as promotion and implementation of renewable energy sources are key elements in sustainable city concepts. This requires citizens to be actively and continuously engaged in changing patterns of consumption and as micro-generators of electricity.
City electricity distribution networks will have to be developed into smart grids to facilitate active consumer participation and dynamic network operations. ICT technologies can create an energy consumption feedback loop enabled by broadband and mobile access. This can be created with smart metering, M2M communication across the distribution network and with consumer appliances, and utility-customer communication.

Broadband networks

Broadband facilitates democracy, encourages social inclusion and enables sustainable growth. Having a robust Fixed & Mobile Broadband infrastructure available everywhere enhances the attractiveness of a city, both as a place to live and as a place to do business. We will discuss different approaches to how local governments can actively foster conditions which stimulate investment in broadband or by implementing city owned networks. Representatives from two cities with different solutions will be present in the discussion. 
 

During the deep dive you will meet: Elaine Weidman, Vice President Sustainability and Corporate Relations,  Patrik Regårdh, Head of Strategic Marketing, Olle Isaksson, Director Industry Specific Solution, Michael Buisman, Strategy and Marketing, and Bo Ribbing, Strategic Marketing.

Coordinator for the deep dive: Sarah Persson

Programme:

 

11:30

Bus transfer to Ericsson in Kista
 

12:00

Welcome and introduction, Elaine Weidman – Sustainability for People, the City and the Planet. Looking at, for example, transport, utility, e-health (including light lunch).

12:45

Round table discussions on how ICT can support low carbon urban development and what the challenges are from a policy and a regulatory perspective, as well as economic, cultural and human behavioural perspectives. Then we split into sub-groups for in-depth discussions. This part includes a coffee break.

14:00

Presentation of the results of the round table discussions then a look at priorities and suggestions for how cities can achieve low-carbon urban development with the use of ICT.

14:30

A visit to the Ericsson Green Corridor and the Site City, where we display some of our climate-smart visions and solutions. In our Green Corridor you will see alternative energy solutions, such as how telecom equipment is recycled, as well as examples of smart services that cities can implement, such as intelligent transportation systems, e-health and smart ways of working from home. At Site City some of Ericsson’s solutions are also shown in surroundings similar to real life.

15:10

  Bus transfer back to Clarion Sign Hotel with continuing discussions.

 

Arranged by Ericsson