Comment Neelie (Kroes)

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today in Europe, we face enormous challenges. In a time of climate change, the challenge of managing energy resources. In a time of economic crisis, the challenge of doing things more efficiently.sentence permalink

But we also have one great opportunity: the amazing power of new information and communications technology. And today I would like to talk to you about how such ICT systems can help achieve our energy and climate goals. Particularly in our cities, where 70% of energy consumption happens.sentence permalink

There are three things in particular I'd like to talk about today. About how ICT can make our world smarter, work better together with other sectors like energy and transport, and how the ICT sector itself can cut its own carbon footprint.sentence permalink

But first, let me remind you how ICT can help us smarten up our cities and our electricity networks.sentence permalink

With smarter cities, we could cut resource use; put easy-to-use tools into everyone's hands; and improve quality of life.sentence permalink

Imagine innovations like street lights that know when there's people around - and adjust accordingly. Home heating systems that respond to their environment, and that you can control remotely. Electric vehicles that are fully integrated with the grid. And better information, empowering people to take smart, green decisions in everything they do.sentence permalink

That's the kind of smart world ICT can deliver.sentence permalink

ICT can also give us a smarter two-directional power grid, especially at the retail level: getting real-time information on time and quantity of energy consumption; and allowing households to become energy suppliers to the grid.sentence permalink

This would be enabled: first, by existing communications infrastructure building links across the energy distribution chain; second, by advanced control of the grid; and third, by decentralised energy storage.sentence permalink

In short, we can do a lot to cut carbon. And make it much easier for people to choose more sustainable lifestyles.sentence permalink

The second thing we need to see more of is for the different sectors - ICT, transport and energy - to work together. By breaking through sectoral barriers, we can find ways to collaborate: on infrastructure, on services, on business models.sentence permalink

There are many synergies between these sectors waiting to be exploited.sentence permalink

For instance, telecoms companies have great expertise in billing and pricing. It's easy to see how that knowledge can help other utilities improve their performance in this area. Also, those businesses with expertise in processing real–time, huge quantities of data can offer tremendous value to the roll out and management of smart grids.sentence permalink

But synergies also exist in more down-to-earth areas - like rolling out infrastructure. Often different networks - energy, telecoms, water and transport - needlessly duplicate "passive infrastructure": things like ducts for carrying cables.sentence permalink

That's a waste! If we got better at planning, allowing access, re-use and sharing of those assets, then everyone could save. Most importantly, it could cut the cost of new high-speed broadband networks. Remember that, without those networks, we couldn't get started on smart grids or smart cities in the first place!sentence permalink

The convergence of formerly distinct sectors is an irreversible trend, with many opportunities for new businesses and services. Those who acknowledge this and think ahead will be the winners of tomorrow. Stagnation is simply not an option.sentence permalink

So it is in all our interests to make this convergence easier.sentence permalink

The European Council has asked us to look at measures to exploit these synergies. I hope you'll join in the consultation we just launched, ahead of a proposal by early next year.sentence permalink

And let me be clear about my intentions. As you might be aware, I do not believe in defending anti-competitive behaviour. I do believe in removing barriers to new market entrants.sentence permalink

And the third thing ICT can do is to itself become a greener sector. ICT already consumes 8 to 10% of the EU's electricity and by 2020 that may double; with data centres in Western Europe consuming up to 100 billion kilowatt hours a year. That's more or less the total electricity consumption of The Netherlands.sentence permalink

To better understand and manage these impacts, we need to agree on a way to measure them. Together with leading standards organisations we have now agreed common, transparent standards for measuring ICT's environmental footprint. I am very pleased that many companies are now "road testing" these standards in real life. With an agreed standard it will be possible to improve the industry's performance based on sound evidence.sentence permalink

Having said all this, I am aware how difficult it is to change entrenched systems and bring smart ideas to market. The Commission is willing and able to provide financial support, as well as identify and address regulatory barriers.sentence permalink

To give a strong signal, along with my fellow Commissioners Siim Kallas and Guenther Oettinger, we are developing a Smart Cities and Communities Initiative, which will be launched in July. The Partnership will work on those bottlenecks, pool the Commission's resources, and trigger cooperation between public and private actors, and between energy, transport and ICT sectors. And indeed I hope many of you will be actively involved.sentence permalink

Ladies and gentlemen,

Europe faces many economic challenges right now. But there are bright spots on the horizon: and for me, none is brighter than the potential of ICT. Let's get Europe smart tools that deliver for the environment, deliver for our citizens, and deliver for our economy.sentence permalink

Thank you.