Smartcity, the energy efficient city project

The experimental phase of a project for the integration into the city grid of a significant amount of power produced from small renewable plants was launched in Malaga, saving energy and environmental emissions

In Malaga (Spain) the most extensive European experimental project regarding smart cities has been launched. The project, which was promoted and coordinated by Endesa, involves a whole district of the Andalusian city, with 300 users from the industrial sector, 900 from services and more than 11,000 households. The project involves a capacity of 63 MW, while energy consumption is estimated in 70 million kWh per year.

Smartcity has a double objective. In the first place, to show that small-scale plants can be perfectly well integrated into the city grid. Secondly, while in the process, to save about 20% energy (and hence emissions in the atmosphere) compared to current consumption.

These objectives will be pursued by means of various initiatives, starting from the installation of renewable energy plants (including mainly small wind turbines and solar panels installed on public buildings). Electricity generation from these plants will be integrated into the grid to ensure its regular supply, also by means of storage systems for the night-time or renewable plants’ off-peak hours.

Furthermore, the project will encourage the use of electric cars, by installing a network of charging stations and introducing a fleet of new vehicles. Great attention will be paid to the involvement of citizens, who will obviously have smart meters, that can be managed remotely and help rationalize consumption.

The project, which will last for 4 years and whose budget will be 31 million euros, is supported by the European Union and the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation. Eleven companies are involved including Enel, which participates directly and through its subsidiary Endesa.