The world is demanding more and more energy. The projected growth of worldwide energy demand by 2030 is 36.8% according to the International Energy Outlook 2008. This is due not only to population growth, urbanisation and improvement in living standards, but also to new requirements such as electric vehicles and the substitution of electricity for hydrocarbon-based fuels as an “energy carrier”. Any growth in energy supply must be achieved in a low carbon way. Power generation creates 25% of the world’s CO2emissions, the largest man-made source, according to The Climate Group and McKinsey & Co., (“Smart 2020 Report”).

“Smart grid” generally refers to a class of technology people are using to bring utility electricity delivery systems into the 21st century, using computer-based remote control and automation. These systems are made possible by two-way communication technology and computer processing that has been used for decades in other industries. They are beginning to be used on electricity networks, from the power plants and wind farms all the way to the consumers of electricity in homes and businesses. They offer many benefits to utilities and consumers — mostly seen in big improvements in energy efficiency on the electricity grid and in the energy users’ homes and offices.

Information and Communications Technologies – ICTs – are key enablers of the Clean Revolution. The ICT sector can save 15% of global emissions in 2020, mainly through enabling energy efficiency in sectors like transport, energy, industry and buildings. ICTs can enable a better use of energy in buildings , transport, street lighting etc. It can also facilitate the integration of locally generated renewable energy into the electricity grid.

Yet many of our transportation systems are inadequate to serve the needs of the 21st century. By integrating technology and intelligence into the physical transportation infrastructure, we can improve capacity, enhance the traveller experience and make our transportation systems more efficient, safe, and secure.

The concept of “Intelligent Buildings” quickly gained popularity and is associated with energy saving, healthy environment, ecology, comfort and security. “Smart / intelligent” buildings meet the utmost needs of residents and respond appropriately to different weather conditions. Today building automation systems and advanced building technologies are widely used in almost all areas of life thanks to strategic partnerships between software developers and providers of communications services and hardware. According to forecasts the worldwide market for building automation software will reach $ 36 billion by 2015, while the market for energy efficiency of buildings will increase by 103.5 billion dollars by 2017.