Green Economy Journal Issue 48

SMART CITIES
SMART CITIES:
WHEN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY
MAKES URBAN AREAS MORE
ATTRACTIVE AND COMPETITIVE.
SMARTER SOLUTIONS
for people and planet
The pressure of ensuring that cities remain attractive and liveable for citizens, while adhering
to sustainability principles, is creating considerable stumbling blocks for those in charge.
BY VEOLIA SERVICES SOUTHERN AFRICA
Relying on its worldwide expertise in water, waste and energy
management, Veolia utilizes cutting-edge technologies to
bring utilities to the next level.
www.veolia.co.za
info.southafrica@veolia.com
011 663 3600
The challenge of delivering acceptable levels of public services is
becoming increasingly difficult in Southern Africa with increased
urbanisation, a lack of clean water and decent sanitation, aging
infrastructure, and the spiralling costs of energy production (not to
mention its harmful effects on the environment). The current way of
existing in businesses, homes and cities is largely unsustainable and
indicates a recipe for disaster if it continues in this way.
The move toward a smart city aims to find solutions to increasingly
scarce resources while at the same time, addressing sustainability. At the
heart of the smart city is its users; citizens, businesses, local governments
and decisionmakers, who must be armed with the necessary digital tools
and innovation to create more sustainable cities.
As a partner to cities, governments and other civil organisations, Veolia
aims to assist with addressing these challenges through the provision of
innovative solutions. It is our belief that the use of technology and data
is an opportunity to make informed decisions about city resources and
ultimately, deliver a better quality of life for its citizens.
A smart city means smarter networks. Veolia’s solutions aim to address
the above challenges and simultaneously support the transformation
toward smart cities through infrastructure upgrades, technological
advancement and digital systems. Veolia can help on three levels of
integration in the move toward smart cities:
• Smart operations
• Smart services
• Smart ecosystem
With the African continent facing major water shortages, the re-use of
wastewater seems to be the most sensible and under-utilised solution that
will aid cities in becoming smarter. This means improving water efficiency
for the benefit of the city and its residents, using data and technologies
as enablers, increasing efficiency of potable water networks and irrigation
networks, to enhance the reuse of water, allow deferred investments
in water production plants and optimisation in pipe renewal, as well as
preserve resources (energy and water) by improving leakage management
and enabling demand response programmes.
With more than 350 proprietary technologies covering every key
stage in the water treatment process, Veolia is a globally recognised
player in the field. Furthermore, we’ve adopted a digital approach to
improving operational performance and customer satisfaction. We
have the capacity to measure, simulate and communicate in real-time
to ensure continued efficiencies, helping to contribute toward quality of
life and further development of the smart city through the delivery of
smart services.
Another smart solution that requires no introduction but is vital
for sustainability is energy optimisation. As with our water audits, we
have developed tools to conduct energy assessments as well. First, a
comprehensive energy audit will be conducted to determine any potential
savings in, for example, a large corporate building. A baseline will also be
determined and through these, the implementation of the actions will
occur. Veolia can assist with onsite operations and maintenance as well as
monitoring to ensure that set targets are achieved.
A clean city is a smart city, and Veolia’s waste expertise can assist
with sustainable changes in waste management. Responsible waste
management not only means adhering to the principles of the circular
economy – reducing, reusing and recycling, but providing services
that turn waste into value. Our solutions range from recycling services,
through to the safe treatment and disposal of hazardous waste. In recent
years, waste disposal has become a contentious issue for many large
corporations and Veolia has made it our business to assist with beneficial
reuse solutions and to maximise valuable by-product recovery from waste.
The implementation of smart solutions in the drive toward a smart
city may seem daunting, not to mention a seemingly expensive exercise.
It also requires the buy-in of all stakeholders to ensure its success.
Veolia’s unmatched knowledge, expertise and digital capabilities offers
value-added solutions that can protect both people and the planet.
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