In 2011, IBM announced the Smarter Cities Challenge, worth $5 million in consulting services, to 100 cities with big problems and big goals. IBM sent teams of three to six to each city for three weeks to address issues ranging from healthcare to pollution and traffic to energy poverty.
Both IBM and the selected cities learned several lessons from the engagements that all cities can employ. Key technology was developed and deployed during and immediately following the engagements that can be utilized in other locations in the future.
Although the 2012 engagements have just completed, and the 2013 recipients have just been announced, the results of 2011 have shown promise, and demonstrated the value of the challenge. As other leaders look to drive their cities into the future, they can use the lessons, the technology, and the results of the IBM Smarter Cities Challenge to guide their efforts.
Lessons Learned
1. View the city as one comprehensive organization
Mayors from the recipient cities compare their position to that of a CEO, guiding all departments of an entire corporation. IBM also underlines the importance of involving public and private organizations, universities, small businesses, and citizens in both the collaboration and execution of Smarter Cities projects.
2. Involve citizens from the onset
IBM made sure to involve citizens in the earliest stages of the planning process. Boulder, CO had begun Smart Grid deployments before IBM made the Smarter Cities announcement. Lack of consumer engagement created discord between consumer expectations and results. IBM ensured consumer involvement when working with Boulder, leading to more consumer education and a longer implementation timeframe.
| ______________________________ Although the 2013 Smarter Cities projects have not started, and results from the 2012 are premature, the 2011 recipients have begun to experience the successes from their participation. ___________________________ |
Geraldton, Australia was accepted as a Smarter Cities recipient in 2011. When the citizens were involved, it was determined that the mining town's residents desired sustainable growth. The area is lush with renewable resources, and a plan that incorporates wind, wave, solar, geothermal and biomass energy production was created to meet their needs. By involving citizens from the earliest stages, both cities were able to create strategic plans to meet the citizens' needs.
3. Utilize data analytics
As cities become smarter, the amount of data the city produces grows exponentially. Information is constantly being generated from traffic lights, sensors, meters, computers and more. Currently, the information is sent to different locations and organizations; however utilities have successfully utilized advanced analytics programs to add a level of intelligence and predictive value.
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada utilized the data generated by traffic and other sensors to reduce the number of traffic accidents. Edmonton utilized an incident management system, as well as traffic congestion and prediction tools to derive key insights and develop a plan of action.
Pittsburgh, PA also analyzed the abundant amount of data it received from all areas of the city to automate processes ranging from parking to bus scheduling and traffic lights.
In many of the Smarter Cities, technology was developed and deployed during and after the engagements. Geraldton, Australia worked with IBM to develop a virtual power plant that would control all distributed resources for the city. The virtual power plant incorporated small-scale generation facilities and energy storage technology to manage peak demand and reduce load. In addition, a smart energy hub was also deployed to utilize the city's natural proximity to renewable resources.
Milwaukee, WI also deployed key technology during its three-week engagement. Groundbreaking technology in aquaponics combined vegetable cultivation with fish raising. The tanks grow fish under the vegetables and roots of the plants in a symbiotic system. The resulting pilot project has enabled the food produced to be served in local restaurants.
IBM also deployed key technology in Chengdu, China as part of the Intelligent Chengdu Initiative. Chengdu is now utilizing cloud-computing resources in accord with its five-year plan. The five-year plan includes six core systems that are enabled by the cloud-based technology: energy, water, transportation, communications, business, and people. As part of the communication plan, the city has deployed a wireless network throughout the city to serve as a model city for the world.
Successes
Although the 2013 Smarter Cities projects have not started, and results from the 2012 are premature, the 2011 recipients have begun to experience the successes from their participation.
One city that has benefited from participation is Antofagasta, Chile. Upon application, the project focused solely on the water system of the city. However, this focus was expanded to include the city's energy grid, as well as healthcare, transportation and education. During the engagement, a sustainable water and energy plan was developed to guide future efforts. Since concluding the consulting engagement, construction has begun on to upgrade the city's commercial water infrastructure. The city has also installed irrigation equipment at parks and other public places, a direct result of IBM's recommendations.
St. Louis, MO also entered the challenge with big issues to address. Dubbed the most dangerous city in America, the city had the highest crime rate in the nation. The three-week engagement created a new public safety system that enhanced transparency and communication across different organizational lines. St. Louis also completed its transition to a self-governing police department from a department governed by a state board. Results of the unified system were immediate, with 2011 crime rates reaching a historic low.
Finally, Dubuque, IA has also enjoyed results from its participation. Dubuque has experienced an 11 percent reduction in energy usage and a 6.6 percent decrease in water consumption. In addition, water leaks are being detected at a much higher rate. Seventy-seven percent of residents reported increased understanding of water consumption and their water bill.
These are just a few examples of successes the Smarter Cities Challenge has brought to participating cities. One important factor in the Smarter Cities Challenge is that once the technology is deployed and tested, it can be applied in other instances. Each city thus acts as a pilot project for the new technologies and an example of implementation for other cities to follow.
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