startups
Startups focused on innovations in big data, smart cities and the internet of things are being encouraged to seek support and funding from the tech accelerator Wayra. Applicants have from now until Feb. 23 to try out for one of around 50 spots at a Wayra Academy in Barcelona, Bogotá,
cities
Leaders in the world’s largest cities almost universally recognize that climate change poses a “significant risk.” And they’re stepping up efforts to prepare for and minimize those risks in a number of ways. Cities in the C40 Climate Leadership Group have doubled the number of climate-focused actions they’
food security
Some major cities are far more food-secure than others, a first-ever study of three large metropolitan food systems has found. The Australian capital of Canberra, for example, derives the majority of its most common foods from regional agricultural areas, according to research by partners in the International Alliance of Research
urban london 2014
Greenbang is launching a new event — Urban London is a community of innovators, entrepreneurs, tech professionals, and public sector officials. It is a platform for stories of emerging technologies, social and economic improvement. The event — held at Digital Enterprise Greenwich (next to the O2) — examines innovation — apps, the internet of
transport
China’s BYD is supplying the London-based car-hire company Thriev with 20 electric sedans as the city itself moves toward its goal of a city-wide fleet of zero-emissions cars for hire. As part of their partnership, Thriev will also install BYD’s fast-charging equipment at its facility in west London.
buildings
Cutting the energy consumption of big buildings in 10 big US cities could save nearly $1 billion a year, according to the leaders behind the new City Energy Project. An initiative from the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Institute for Market Transformation, the City Energy Project is launching with
demand response
A new smart-grid program being launched in the UK aims to help stabilize the power grid as more renewable energy sources come online. Honeywell and power management company Stor Generation Ltd. are working with commercial and industrial users to temporarily trim their energy consumption when electricity demand threatens to overwhelm
information technology
An information-based society can’t be inclusive or democratic if a large portion of the population remains offline. In the UK, for example, research in 2012 found that 18 percent of citizens surveyed never or rarely use the internet. The UK Digital Skills Alliance was launched to promote online skills
heat networks
More than two dozen local authorities across England and Wales are working to develop heat network projects that could help warm buildings more efficiently and cost-effectively. The UK estimates that heat networks could realistically meet 14 percent of its building heating demands by 2030, and 43 percent by 2050. The
smart cities
The concept of smart cities is being used to appeal to voters in India. Shri Narendra Modi, leader of the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, proposes an eight-point development plan that includes 24/7 electricity on demand, a bullet train, railway reforms and the construction of 100 smart cities. Other elements
internet of things
Delivering on the potential of the “internet of things” (IoT) means being able to make devices of all kinds — from mobile phones to city lampposts — “talk” to one another easily and efficiently. However, that’s a challenge in a world where wide bands of the wireless spectrum are allocated to
internet of things
Nest Labs was launched with a vision of a “conscious home” made possible in part through a thermostat that “learns” how to save energy and money. That vision is now backed by a $3.2 billion cash purchase by Google. Founded by Tony Fadell and Matt Rogers, the Palo Alto-based