In Huawei’s latest UK Smart Cities Index, Nottingham received the Star Award for its energy efforts, with Navigant Research, the analyst company which led the study, calling the city, “a pioneer in new approaches to city energy.”
These new approaches are driven by ambitious 2020 energy targets, which include a 26 per cent reduction in carbon emissions against 2005 levels (already achieved in 2016 and now at 35 per cent) and delivering 20 per cent of the city’s energy from zero or low carbon sources. The city has also committed to 100 per cent green energy by 2050, as part of the UK100 pledge.
Unlike many cities, Nottingham City Council has direct control over much of the city’s infrastructure, transport, and housing stock. This, says Ruth Stallwood, the council’s Marketing Officer for Energy Services, allows the city more autonomy and creativity in how it achieves these targets.
She comments: “Like other cities, we are concerned about energy security, an uncertain future and rising fuel bills. This gives us more control within the city rather than being as dependent on energy markets.”
Examples of initiatives include community energy projects, cutting-edge solar developments, a groundbreaking district heating network, and the use of fuel cell systems. Many of these now serve as test beds and demonstrators for what is possible with energy, not just in Nottingham and the UK but across Europe and the world.
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