A smart future? the EU digital agenda between broadband, the grid and energy efficiency

Abstract

Digital technologies have the transformational power of making the world smarter and have a profound impact on foundational industries including energy, transport and education. This is why the achievement of a smart, sustainable and inclusive growth has to look at ways to integrate information and communication technologies (ICT) at all levels. By putting intelligence and allowing for data communication in networks, such as the electric grid, that traditionally used to be dumb, ICT allows for a dynamic use of energy, greater consumer empowerment, new business models and efficiency gains. However, unleashing the transformational power of ICT requires a new policy-making style, breaking policy silos and encouraging greater synergies across sectors. The 2010 Digital Agenda for Europe combines a bold approach to high-speed broadband deployment with a firm commitment to green ICT and to the use of ICT to contribute to energy efficiency, the deployment of smart grids and smart meters. This article illustrates some of the main initiatives in this field, highlights the importance of synergies and integrated policy-making and indicates that there is an important potential for transatlantic cooperation to be untapped.