Smart Summit London, returning on the 19th and 20th of September at Business Design Centre, is now in its 3rd year and features Europe's leading Smart Home Summit along with a further 5 tracks all designed to compliment each other.
One of the Smart Cities Summit Speakers, Wayne Bexton, is Head of Energy Projects at Nottingham City Council and has worked in public sector energy and sustainability fields for over 11 years, having previously delivered sustainability advice in the private sector. Wayne has delivered numerous high profile, high value environmental projects and programmes for the public sector across the East Midlands, receiving industry recognition along the way including the National Lottery Awards Environment Category Winner and the Access Alliance Best Scheme Award.
Wayne, who will be taking part in the ‘How is Technology Revolutionising the Urban Environment?’ panel, completed the Smart Summit speaker questionnaire:
Please outline your role in smart city developments?
I lead on the energy projects agenda across Nottingham, with a vision of 25% of the energy use of the City coming from renewables by 2020. This work is expanding rapidly into a joined up smart City approach including work with transport, health and economic regeneration sectors.
What are your key highlights of advanced urban living?
Our collaborative European projects, ‘Insmart’ and ‘Remourban’ are identifying the opportunities for Nottingham to be at the forefront of advanced urban living. Less reliance on the national grid and smart localised systems of energy distribution are key aims of the next 5 to 10 years. Coupled with our ambitious electric vehicle charging infrastructure the future of Nottingham looks increasingly sustainable and smart!
What do you consider to be the best ways to involve citizens in smart city developments?
As a local authority we engage at every opportunity with our citizens. We regularly launch our latest individual projects which in turn engages citizens with our wider aspirations for a joined up and integrated approach. Social media, news articles, events and leaflets are all utilised in delivering this message.
While citizen data is essential for shaping future city services, what are your thoughts on how and when it should be used?
Energy usage data would be a fantastic assistance in modelling energy requirements for the future. We are engaged with the smart meter roll out to understand how we can utilise this information in a sensitive way.
How do you think information-sharing should be encouraged across departments and verticals, to foster collaborative planning?
Our engagement across public sector responsibilities is key to our success. The work we deliver on around energy can impact multiple local authority departments from health to transport. As an example our work with public health is helping to tackle fuel poverty, targeting energy efficiency programmes where we know we need it most.
How is technology developing to support vehicles and transport of the future?
Electric vehicles will be an area of huge focus over the next 5 years and it is important that infrastructure allows for this. Vehicle range will increase and methods for charging will continue to evolve. Additionally hydrogen could have a part to play and we continue to monitor fuel cell developments.
How is smart technology addressing climate change concerns?
Reducing emissions and avoiding reliance on fossil fuels is key to our agenda as a local authority. In addition our work on tackling air quality will impact directly on wider climate change targets. We are also joining up with core cities to ensure our collective response has a real impact on a National scale.
Discussing the funding issues – which services are more likely to receive funding and which are seen as “nice to have”?
If a scheme or project achieves environmental improvement and a financial return then it really is a simple decision to commit to delivery. Our approach ensures we achieve financial growth which in turn protects frontline services.
Where do opportunities lie for future city developments?
Energy storage, joined up smart grid infrastructure and an evolving transport network are all areas that will continue to progress at speed over the next 5-10 years.
To register your place and hear from our 180 leading speakers click here. Additionally, for further information on speaking opportunities, sponsorship and exhibition options at the UK’s leading Smart Summit, please visit www.iotsmartsummitlondon.com or contact the Smart Summit London Team on +44 (0) 330 335 3900 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
About Smart Summit London
Smart Summit is a 2 day conference and exhibition covering the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem and its impact on the digital society.
Now in its 3rd year, the event features Europe's leading Smart Home Summit and a further 5 tracks all designed to compliment each other.
With over 180 visionary speakers, gain a unique insight from industry heavyweights and hear case study examples from major contributors.
Make sure you are present in London on the 19th and 20th September for THE Smart IoT event of 2017.
