Glasgow is now 2 years into the RUGGEDISED project and things are really starting to take shape! Infrastructure should be visible within the next 6 – 8 months and the city is in the process of procuring hardware solutions for its Smart Street. Networking and learning from the other European smart cities continue to be invaluable, and the relationships forged through the project will continue for years to come.
RUGGEDISED is a smart city project funded under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. Glasgow is one of three lighthouse cities in the project including Rotterdam and Umeå. Along with three follower cities (Brno, Gdansk and Parma) all cities are working in partnerhship with businesses and research centres to demonstrate how to combine ICT, e-mobility and energy solutions to design smart, resilient cities for all. Outcomes include improving the quality of life of citizens, reducing the environmental impact of activities and creating a stimulating environment for sustainable economic development.
The Scottish Cities Alliance supported Glasgow’s application for the Horizon 2020 funding and the learning from the project and the learning from Glasgow’s participation in the project is being shared across the Scottish Cities.
Key project developments include:-
SMART THERMAL GRID
Following the successful appointment of Legal consultants Harper McLeod, Smart Solution G1 has now been completed. The work allowed our private and public sector partners GHA, Strathclyde University and Tennent’s Brewery to discuss contractual models for heat and cold exchange by connecting buildings to district heating networks. The contractual models developed were discussed at length to ensure that they were agreeable to all parties involved and it is hoped that these will form the basis of new district heating connections in the future. This is a huge step for Glasgow, as previously these types of discussions and contracts have acted as a barrier to the role out of district heating not only in the city but across the rest of Scotland and the UK.
SMART ELECTRICITY GRID AND E-MOBILITY
The electric vehicle charging hub at Duke Street car park is continuing to develop and new charging points have now been installed. These chargers, along with the existing charge points, will eventually be connected to the solar canopy and battery storage solution system which is due to be installed in 2019. The procurement documentation is nearing completion for the installation of the intelligent street lighting with integrated electric vehicle charging capabilities. We have been working closely with our colleagues in the street lighting team to ensure the solution is fit for purpose, with the long term vision of further deployment across the city where appropriate. The new street lights with EV charging capabilities are expected to be installed on Collins Street at Strathclyde University’s Barony Hall by spring 2019.
ENERGY MANAGEMENT AND ICT
Domestic Demand-Side Management (DSM)
Work is progressing on the Domestic (community) battery, with the Denchi system due to be installed at the identified sight at the GHA Drygate flats by February 2019. Gibson Heights at Drygate has been identified as the most appropriate block to install the battery and project partners Siemens are continuing to work with Heriot Watt to ensure full integration of the system with their Grid Interface Controller.
Data Based Decision Platform
The user interface for the data based decision platform is being developed and initial prototypes have far surpassed our expectations. Work is progressing to ensure use cases are developed for the platform and stakeholder engagement is underway to make sure the solution designed is fit for a multitude of purposes, not only for the lifetime of the project, but also the foreseeable future.
For more information on the Ruggedised Project please visit:- www.ruggedised.eu
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