Electrical Contracting News (ECN) June 2016 | Page 14

EDITORIAL

CITY LIVING

The concept of the ’ smart city ’ has been around for some time now but it seems that the general public have very little interest in the idea or simply don ’ t understand what it actually means . A new report by the IET has shown that only 18 per cent of the UK public have heard of the term ’ smart city ’ and an even smaller percentage see value in many of the expected benefits that the smart city would offer to its citizens .

The basis of the smart city is to improve the lives of citizens who live and work there by integrating multiple digital technologies , helping to bring key sectors such as transport , health , energy , water and waste together in an effort to reduce costs and resource consumption . Buildings , local authorities , businesses and the community at large are expected to be able to communicate in a seamless manner , bringing everything and everyone closer together and making the city feel like one single , living , breathing entity . Much of this depends on the rate at which technological breakthroughs are made but the rise of the Internet of Things and an ‘ always on ’ culture is certainly paving the way towards a fully connected environment .
The UK government published a paper on smart cities back in 2013 , signalling a clear intention to capture market share in a sector that is expected to be worth billions , and more recently the Indian government announced an initiative to develop 100 smart cities spread across the country . However , without the support and understanding of city residents it will be incredibly hard to realise the dream of a fully connected infrastructure .
Public authorities and city planners need to properly engage with the public if they are to educate city residents and get a better understanding of networking demands . Intelligent buildings , automated technologies ( including driverless cars ) and smart grids are being developed at a blistering rate but if the people don ’ t buy into the overall concept then the smart city may not be smart enough to deliver the utopian cityscape that many predicted .
Michael Crane Editor
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Eaton has appointed David Hicks as technical director of security products to oversee the continuing development of new technology in the business . Leading a team of engineers at the power management company ’ s security innovation centre in Mitcheldean , Gloucestershire , Hicks ’ primary objective is to design and develop next generation security products .
Lumicom has appointed Stewart Price to the position of general manager . Stewart has many years ’ experience working within a range of commercial roles within the recycling and logistics industry . He joins Lumicom after working for WasteCare Group .
Aura Light UK has appointed a new business development manager , based at its headquarters in Telford . Bob Ruddick has joined Aura Light UK where he will be responsible for new business generation and , in particular , the growth of the company ’ s ‘ Lighting as a Managed Service ’ scheme launched late last year .
JTL has announced the appointment of Paul McGuire as its new finance & professional services director , reporting to JTL chief executive Jon Graham . Paul will also be the director of JT Ltd – trading as Compex , a trading subsidiary of JTL .
Prysmian Group has announced the appointment of Llyr Roberts as chief executive officer for the organisation ’ s UK operations . Llyr Roberts returns to the UK having worked for the Prysmian Group in various roles around the world for 30 years .
ESP has made two new appointments as the company continues to grow and expand . Lynsey Gray takes up the newly created position of national key account manager , following more than seven years as area sales manager for Scolmore .
Following more than 10 years in the Kent Fire Brigade , and 10 years as regional sales manager with a leading fire detection products supplier , Darren Whitefoot brings a wealth of experience to his new role at ESP . He joins as regional projects manager , responsible for the company ’ s growing range of fire systems .
Marco has added two new team members to its growing external sales force . Matthew Hogben and Richard Hewish have taken on area sales manager roles in the South West and West Midlands respectively , Matt having recently completed his university degree whilst Richard has almost 20 years in the electrical contracting sales industry .

movers & shakers …