THE HEART OF SMART CITIES; RENEWABLE ENERGY

Although perceived as a new term, the concept of “Smart City”, which is now a frequently heard expression in the new world order, is a city model where information and communication technologies (ICT) are systematically used in city management, increasing the quality of life, using resources efficiently and aiming for sustainable development.

In technical terms; Smart city is an urbanization model that enables the real-time monitoring, analysis and optimization of city infrastructures (energy, transportation, water, waste, security, health, public services etc.) by using information and communication technologies (ICT), big data analytics, artificial intelligence, internet of things (IoT), cloud computing and sensor systems in an integrated manner, thus achieving urban efficiency, sustainability and quality of life goals.

When we look at the Basic Features of Smart Cities, several features stand out;

1. Data-Based Management: Areas such as traffic, energy, water, waste and security are monitored and optimized with sensors, IoT (Internet of Things) and big data analytics.
2. Sustainability: Renewable energy use, waste recycling and low carbon emissions are at the forefront.
3. Energy Efficiency: Energy waste is minimized with smart lighting, energy monitoring systems and green buildings.
4. Smart Transportation: Traffic density is managed with sensors, public transportation is made efficient with integrated systems.
5. Citizen Participation: Citizens’ participation in management and interaction with the city are ensured with mobile applications and digital platforms.
6. Disaster Management and Security: Crises are quickly intervened with smart cameras, early warning systems and digital disaster planning.

In short, Smart cities aim to create environmentally friendly and livable areas, make urban life more comfortable and safe, provide digital transformation in municipal services and prevent waste of resources and reduce costs, etc. In other words, the smart city aims to offer a technology-supported, sustainable and human-centered urban life.

However, the issue of “Renewable Energy” also stands out as the fundamental supporter of the Smart City concept. It is obvious that “Renewable Energy”, which is the main subject of our article, has an undeniable contribution to the formation and support of Smart Cities.

At this point, I believe it would be useful to touch on project examples in the world regarding Smart Cities and their supporter renewable energy. 

Featured Smart City and Renewable Energy Projects in the World and Turkey

• Hyllie, Malmö – Sweden

The Hyllie district of Malmö is a pioneering example in sustainable urbanism. Developed in collaboration with organizations such as E.ON and VA SYD, this district uses only renewable and recovered energy. Thanks to digital energy management systems such as Ectogrid and Ectocloud, excess energy is directed to areas where it is needed, increasing efficiency. This model has also inspired international projects such as the Silvertown project in London.

• Fujisawa SST – Japan

The Fujisawa Sustainable Smart City (SST), developed by Panasonic, is located 50 km west of Tokyo. This project is home to a community of 3,000 people consisting of 600 houses and 400 apartments. Energy efficiency is provided by technologies such as solar panels, ECO-CUTE heat pump systems and ENE-FARM fuel cells. It also has a disaster-resistant design, providing up to 3 days of energy supply in the event of a power outage.

• Masdar City – United Arab Emirates

Masdar City, located in Abu Dhabi, is an example of a green city built with zero carbon and zero waste goals. It is equipped with solar energy, energy-efficient buildings and clean technologies. It also offers innovative transportation solutions such as autonomous electric vehicles and personal rapid transit systems (PRT). Masdar City reflects the sustainability vision of the United Arab Emirates. Wikipedia

• Solar Valley – China

Located in Dezhou, China, Solar Valley is built on an area of ​​330 hectares and is equipped with 60,000 square meters of solar panels. This project aims to implement low-carbon technologies in the areas of transportation, buildings and entertainment. Developed by Himin Solar Energy Group, this project stands out as an important step towards China’s renewable energy policies.

• Bo01 – Malmö, Sweden

Malmö’s Bo01 neighborhood was designed for the 2001 European Housing Exhibition and became one of the world’s first neighborhoods to operate on 100% renewable energy. It meets its energy needs with sources such as solar panels, geothermal heating systems and wind energy. In addition, excess energy is transferred to Malmö’s general electricity grid, thus ensuring energy efficiency throughout the city.

These projects show that the integration of renewable energy and smart city technologies plays an important role in building sustainable and efficient cities. Each project offers different solutions in its own context, and the overall aim is to achieve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and increase quality of life.

Smart City and Renewable Energy Applications in Türkiye

• Konya – Smart Lighting System (ASAS)

The Smart City Lighting System (ASAS), developed by the local technology company Logiba in Konya, works with motion-sensitive sensors and time-based control mechanisms. This system provides significant energy savings by reducing electricity consumption by 60%. In addition, additional services such as meteorological monitoring, license plate recognition and power analysis are offered through the lighting infrastructure.

• Bursa – Smart Transportation and Energy Management

Bursa attracts attention with its smart city applications. Traffic density is reduced and signaling times are optimized with sensor-based traffic management systems in the city. In addition, water savings are achieved thanks to smart water management and automatic irrigation systems.

• Kayseri – Digital Ticketing and Smart Lighting

In Kayseri, NFC and QR coded digital ticketing systems are used in public transportation vehicles. These systems provide citizens with faster and easier access to public transportation vehicles. In addition, energy consumption is optimized and carbon emissions are reduced with smart street lighting systems.

• Gaziantep – Smart Agriculture and Transportation

Gaziantep stands out with its smart agriculture applications. Smart irrigation systems that optimize water use in agriculture increase efficiency in the region and ensure sustainable use of water resources. In addition, urban transportation has been made more efficient thanks to GPS-tracked public transportation systems and integrated ticketing applications.

• Antalya – MatchUP Urban Transformation Project

In Antalya, smart homes, smart buildings and energy storage solutions are being integrated within the scope of the MatchUP Urban Transformation Project. Charging stations for electric vehicles and sustainable transportation solutions are also included in the project. This project aims to manage renewable energy and energy production activities from a single platform.

• Kocaeli – Industry and Energy Management

Kocaeli is developing smart city solutions for energy management and resource optimization in industrial facilities. Various projects are also being implemented in areas such as traffic management, transportation improvements, smart building systems and environmental management. Akli City+1aydemenerji.com.tr+1

• Hiznet Elektrik – Clean Energy and Hydrogen Technologies

Hiznet Elektrik is developing projects that aim to make the city independent in terms of energy. These projects include the use of clean city gas, co-generation systems and hydrogen fuel cell stations. In addition, activities and energy status within the city can be monitored with the city management center.

LEGISLATIVE REGULATIONS

These valuable projects have certainly been and will be pioneers in achieving the expected goal. However, in order for the applications in the world to be more substructured, the legislative part should of course also be examined. At this point, the current legal regulations on “Smart Cities and Renewable Energy” in the world and in Turkey can be listed as follows;

• Turkey

The legal legislation in the field of smart cities in Türkiye is shaped by the strategies and action plans determined by the central government. This legislation provides a framework that aims to increase technological developments, sustainability goals and the capacity of local governments.

• National Smart Cities Strategy and Action Plans

2020-2023 National Smart Cities Strategy and Action Plan

This strategy entered into force with the Presidential Circular No. 2019/29 published on December 24, 2019. The strategy was prepared with the aim of producing solutions to the problems of cities and responding to the needs of the future in the fastest and most efficient way. In this context, it is aimed to reveal the potential for integrated service delivery and innovation by ensuring interaction between organizational structures within the city.

2024-2030 National Smart Cities Strategy and Action Plan

This new strategy has been prepared with the vision of “Advanced society, advanced technology, sustainable and resilient world”. The action plan consists of 30 actions, 271 implementation steps and 12 mission areas. This plan aims to support economic development with smart city applications, develop local and national smart city technologies, use smart city solutions in combating climate change and increase the resilience levels of cities. 

Although there is no direct framework law in the field of smart cities, the following legislation indirectly introduces regulations in this field:

• Information Technologies and Electronic Communications Law: It forms the basis for regulating the digital infrastructures of smart cities.
• Personal Data Protection Law (KVKK): It determines the principles regarding the processing and protection of personal data collected in smart cities.
• Electricity Market Law: It includes regulations on the integration of renewable energy sources and smartening of electricity networks.
• Environmental Law and Strategies to Combat Climate Change: These regulations are important in order to ensure the environmental sustainability of smart cities.

2- European Union (EU)

1. European Commission – Smart Cities and Societies Strategy

The European Commission published the Strategy for Smart Cities and Societies in 2013. This strategy aims to develop technological infrastructures for cities to increase sustainability, energy efficiency and quality of life.

• Legal Framework: The EU set Targets for Smart and Sustainable Cities in 2020 and encouraged the digitalization of cities. This requires local governments to make regulations in areas such as energy management, zero carbon emissions and smart transportation systems.
• EU Urban Agenda: The European Union has created an agenda for Smart Cities to accelerate the digital transformation in cities and aims to harmonize laws that improve the infrastructure of cities. 

1. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) – Europe’s Data Protection Regulation

In Europe, the GDPR is of great importance for smart cities in order to ensure the protection of personal data. Since the data collected in smart cities is based on personal data, the processing and storage of this data is strictly regulated by the GDPR.

• Data Protection: Devices, sensors and systems used in smart cities must comply with GDPR requirements to ensure the security of the data they collect from citizens while processing it. 

3- United States (US)

1. Smart Cities Initiative – Federal Government and Local Governments

There are a number of federal supports for the development of smart cities in the US. These supports are provided by agencies such as the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Local governments can create smart infrastructures with funds from these agencies.

• Legal Regulations: Privacy laws, energy efficiency standards and urban planning regulations should be taken into account when creating the infrastructure of smart cities. 

1. California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)

California enacted a law that increased citizens’ digital privacy rights by adopting the CCPA in 2018. This law applies to all digital data in smart cities.

• Data Privacy: CCPA introduces comprehensive regulations regarding the collection, processing and sale of personal data. Sensors and devices in smart cities do not have to collect personal data without citizens’ consent.

4- Japan

1. Japan Smart City Law

Japan is quite advanced in smart cities and has developed various strategies in this area. Projects such as Fujisawa SST and Kashiwa-no-ha have pioneered applications such as solar energy, smart transportation and waste management.

• Legal Framework: Japan provides guidance in the regulation of cities’ digital infrastructure through national energy management laws and urban planning regulations. There are also regulations on data security and public health. 

1. Special Incentives and Government Support for Smart Cities

The Japanese government offers various tax breaks and support funds to encourage smart city projects. These incentives apply to energy efficiency projects and efforts to achieve zero carbon targets. 

5- China

1. China Smart Cities Development Plan

China is following a very active policy on smart cities. China’s Smart Cities Strategy was developed within the framework of the 13th Five-Year Plan and ensures the digitalization of large cities.

• Legal Regulations: Local governments and the private sector are working together to collaborate on infrastructure and technology projects in smart cities. These collaborations contribute to the sustainable growth of cities.

1. China’s Data and Privacy Laws

China has strict legal regulations regarding the protection of personal data. Laws such as the China Cybersecurity Law and the Personal Information Protection Law protect the digital data of smart cities. 

• International Legal Regulations and Standards

1. ISO 37120: Performance Indicators for Sustainable Smart Cities

The International Standards Organization (ISO) has adopted ISO 37120, which provides sustainability and performance indicators for smart cities. This standard determines the legal frameworks that will increase the efficiency of cities and covers all components of smart cities.

1. United Nations Global Pulse Initiative

The United Nations has launched a global initiative on smart cities and sustainable development, and sets standards that guide countries in digitalization, data security and sustainability.

As a result; Renewable energy is a strategic component that strengthens the technical infrastructure of smart cities and ensures environmental and economic sustainability. The smart city vision can only be fully realized with clean and digital energy systems. Smart cities are shaped by various legislations, strategies and legal regulations around the world. These legal frameworks aim to ensure that cities achieve their sustainability goals, ensure data security and protect public health. The development of smart cities is possible not only with technological infrastructures but also with an effective legal framework that controls these technologies.

Sources

T.C. Çevre, Şehircilik ve İklim Değişikliği Bakanlığı – Akıllı Şehirler Stratejisi ve Eylem Planı (2020–2023)https://www.akillisehirler.gov.tr

ITU International Telecommunication Union“Smart Sustainable Cities: An Overview” https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-T/ssc/Pages/default.aspx

UN-Habitat – United Nations Human Settlements Programme
“People-Centered Smart Cities” (2021) https://unhabitat.org

IEEE Smart Cities Initiative https://smartcities.ieee.org

OECD – Smart Cities and Inclusive Growth (2020) https://www.oecd.org

Batty, M., Axhausen, K. W., Giannotti, F., et al. (2012).
“Smart Cities of the Future”, The European Physical Journal Special Topics

Albino, V., Berardi, U., & Dangelico, R. M. (2015).
“Smart Cities: Definitions, Dimensions, Performance, and Initiatives”, Journal of Urban Technology

World Economic Forum – Smart Cities Reports https://www.weforum.org

McKinsey Global Institute – Smart Cities: Digital Solutions for a More Livable Future (2018)
https://www.mckinsey.com

IBM Smarter Cities Challenge Reports https://www.ibm.com/smarterplanet