Amsterdam moves fast on energy efficiency

Conversion to “smart grid”

Wendy Natt, Mar 24, 09.

A new program in Amsterdam is investing quickly and heavily in the idea that cities can do much to cut greenhouse gas emissions. The municipality, local energy providers, and private companies are expected to invest over $1 billion over the next three years in “smart grid” technology that uses network sensors and improved energy monitoring to reduce household electricity use, according to a recent article in BusinessWeek. The article notes that “unlike cities that could take decades to upgrade their infrastructure, Amsterdam aims to complete its first-round investments by 2012,” a pace that will help the city reach its goal of being the first “smart city.”

Local planners believe that the conversion of the city to a smart grid, and other public and private investments in innovations and incentives to maximize the efficiency of the smart grid, will strengthen the economy while reducing Amsterdam’s emissions 40% by 2025.