Boston is well-regarded for its brains, particularly in the technology category. The city prevails as one of the top go-to destinations for individuals and firms advancing the field. Now, one of its star academic institutions, Boston University, is getting in on the action in a major way by partnering with IBM executives and Beantown officials to promote technology for urban energy efficiency.The partnership, which formed last June, was highlighted last Wednesday in a panel at the BU Photonics Center called “Smarter Cities: A Roadmap for the Future.” The panel discussed how technology is helping cities run in an energy-efficient manner. More than 150 people attended the conference, including government officials, academic leaders, venture capitalists, press representatives and analysts.
It was announced that the university will be looking to students to pave the way for a smarter, energy-conserving future by using the BU's Sustainable Neighborhood Lab, a real-world laboratory that provides a space and platform for the research, education, and commercialization of urban sustainability tools.
Dave Bartlett, the vice president of Smarter Physical Infrastructure at IBM (News - Alert) says that a main goal of the event was to “promote the idea that we could build an urban area that mines information to deliver city or regional services more effectively and efficiently.” He adds, “It is a reality today...IBM is helping Boston, one of the oldest cities in the U.S, make its city ‘smarter’ one step at a time.”
Those involved with the project are hopeful that those smart steps can begin soon; in order to address issues the city has with energy efficiency. Lucy Hutrya, a professor of earth and environment at BU, says, “The city has problems that need solutions,” and adds that by partnering with IBM, such solutions may be in progress.
Edited by Brooke Neuman