This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. Includes a market overview and trade data.

Overview

Smart cities are committed to sustainable and integrated urban development. Today, cities consume two-thirds of the world’s major resources.

The smart city approach uses information and communication technologies in order to link municipal infrastructures such as energy, buildings, traffic, water and sewage on the basis of integrated development concepts. Digital transformation offers opportunities for moving towards sustainability and promotes resource-friendly, needs-based solutions for meeting the key challenges of urban development.

Digital technologies have already become reality in many areas of life and will continue to change many areas of the economy, administration and urban society.
Germany is actively positioning itself as a lead provider of complete smart technology solutions. In the current 2014-2019 financial framework alone, USD 23.6 billion is available for German cities and municipalities. In addition, there is the multi-billion Horizon 2020 funding to support regional innovation.

Best Prospects for U.S. exports

Building and construction: energy-efficient buildings and modernization, smart homes
Energy: expansion of renewable energy generation, smart grids and distribution, and storage systems
Environmental technology: new solutions for waste recycling and waste-water treatment
Management: digital solutions/IoT for the municipal economy, security for critical infrastructure
Ports: fully automated port where all devices are connected via IoT
Transportation/Logistics: investment in public transport and smart traffic systems, e-mobility

Policy Objectives and Challenges
The major concern is cyber attacks. Unfortunately, most Smart Cities vendors are either unaware of cybersecurity or lack the personnel with the technical know-how to address these issues. Smart Cities need to establish operational centers that are specific not only for purposes of sharing information but also for the counter-checking of vulnerabilities across functions and to establish a contingency response.

Selected Opportunities in the Energy and Transportation sector

Energy: Infrastructure projects grid development
  • Ultra-High Grid development, existing grid, 4700 to 5200 miles, est. $6.6 billion, 2015-2025
  • Offshore grid development 1400 to 2300 miles, 7 to 11.4 GW,  est. $4.8 billion, 2018-2030
  • Smart meter roll-out, est. $1.4 to 2.9 billion, 2018-2028
Transportation:
  • Autonomous driving, Driver Assistance & Safety, electrification, digital services & sales, advanced manufacturing, Multi- billion USD, 2017-2030
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure, private and public, est. $300 million, 2017-2025
Selected Trade Events

Web Resources

Smart City Charta  - Making digital transformation at the local level sustainable
Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development
German Partnership for Sustainable Mobility
GTAI Germany Trade&Invest
German Renewable Energy Federation
Smart Cities Council
dena German Energy Agency


 

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