Amsterdam Aims to be EU's First Intelligent City

Amsterdam has set its sights on becoming Europe's first "intelligent" city, with an initiative to incorporate a smart grid, smart meters, electric vehicles and "smart" building design.

The goal is to reduce energy consumption in commercial properties, public buildings and areas, housing and transportation.

The city has chosen Accenture to help integrate the technologies. In March, Accenture launched the Intelligent City Network to coordinate efforts of utilities and city managers who seek to deploy smart grids.

Amsterdam recently launched the first phase of its low-carbon project, according to a press release, which includes:

• A ship-to-the-grid project, by which commercial vessels and river cruisers will be connected to the electric grid when docked, reducing on-ship energy production and related pollution
• The implementation of smart meters and in-home feedback displays for home owners
• A smart building at Accenture’s Amsterdam office at the ITO Tower, where intelligent technology will collect, monitor and analyze the building’s programming and utility data to identify energy consumption efficiencies and lower the building’s carbon footprint
• A ‘Climate Street’ at Utrechtsestraat, a shopping and restaurant street, will have sustainable waste collection, tram stops, and street and façade lighting. Smart meters will help manage energy consumption.

As part of the move to become an intelligent city, Amsterdam is creating a so-called "green energy" company, according to NIS News.

The city hopes to supply a third of its electricity needs with local renewable energy sources by 2025.

The city also hopes by 2025 to slash its CO2 emissions by 40 percent, from 1990 levels.