Conference Report
Report from 2nd IEEE Int. Forum Smart Grids for Smart Cities
Worldwide, the convergence of data and energy infrastructures is used to enable a better life for the citizens in smart cities. Smart grids show to be a real enabler of such cities, by integrating a high penetration of renewable energy, facilitating electric transport, allowing smart buildings and empowering the end-user in the energy scene; altogether creating a sustainable lifestyle for the eco-aware 21st century citizen.
However, all these prospected transitions and transformations bring numerous challenges and opportunities, both at industrial, academic and policy level.
In order to address some of these questions, IEEE Smart Grid, in collaboration with KU Leuven/EnergyVille has gathered experts from many different backgrounds in this second IEEE International Forum on Smart Grids for Smart Cities, that took place in Genk, Belgium from 26th to 28th November 2018.
This premier event was hosted at the unique and symbolic location of Thor Park, in the same buildings where 30 years ago the last coal was mined. Coal was the black gold for this region. This site is successfully making the energy transition towards green gold, where renewable energy is researched in the two research buildings of EnergyVille and where many new related companies and organisations flourish. This site breaths entrepreneurship and couples the good old infrastructures in a 21st century fashion!
The 2nd International IEEE Forum on Smart Grids for Smart Cities has been a fine success. It has attracted more than 120 participants from 20 countries from all 5 continents.
We had two interesting tutorials, three fascinating keynote speakers and twelve very interactive panel sessions, featuring more than 50 notable speakers, each providing a unique international perspective on technology, applications, standards and policy pertaining to Smart Grids as enablers for Smart Cities and other Smart Community solutions.
The event not only hosted many different viewpoints, but it also provided many smart networking opportunities for smart people. They enjoyed the coffee and lunch breaks, but even more the welcome reception in the Grande Salle of Thor Park, and the nice dinner in the ‘busbar room’ of the old coal mine facilities, as well as the visits to EnergyVille.
The post-forum report contains the highlights of the forum. It is organized per session – so that one will remember the main messages delivered and will be able to tackle the major challenges that await us. The report and all presentations are available at the IEEE Smart Grid Resource Centre[1].
I would like to thank all InnoEnergy as a gold sponsor, all sponsors, keynote speakers, tutorial lecturers, panel chairs, panellists, speakers, staff, scribes, volunteers and the great audience for making this event a success!
Geert Deconinck
Chair 2nd IEEE Int. Forum Smart Grids for Smart Cities
[1] http://resourcecenter.smartgrid.ieee.org/
