This book is about the transformation taking place in our energy and digital infrastructure and
provides a guide for European municipalities wanting to develop into smart cities or smart
rural areas. An international team of authors from the private sector and the world of academia
sets out the key aspects of importance for decision-makers with respect to the pillars
underlying the energy transition and digital challenges. The book is then rounded off with
interviews so that readers can obtain an objective view. The following are just some of the
issues addressed in this book: - What role can energy and digitalisation play for the
sustainable development of our municipalities in Europe? - How can European municipalities
prepare for the challenges of the future such as artificial intelligence or the requirement
for sustainable mobility concepts? - How can the sectors responsible for energy at local level
- such as heating power and mobility - be coupled together? - Which measures should we tackle
first given the limited budget? - What steps need to be taken to ensure a sustainable
technologically advanced and reliable energy supply system? This book will help decision-makers
understand the various issues at stake. An overview is provided of what a smart town or city
and smart rural area could actually entail in terms of data and energy explaining the
significance of data and energy in the sustainable design and development of a municipality in
Europe. The authors explore the various challenges and opportunities facing municipalities by
presenting exemplary projects looking at practical solutions already in place and proposing
next steps to take.
