The Internet Of Things: Making Cities -- And The Way They Use Technology -- Smarter

Minerva Tantoco was named New York City’s first chief technology officer last year, charged with developing a coordinated citywide strategy on technology and innovation.
We’re likely to see more of that as cities around the country, and around the world, consider how best to use innovation and technology to operate as “smart cities.”
The work has major implications for energy use and sustainability, as cities take advantage of available, real-time data – from ‘smart’ phones, computers, traffic monitoring, and even weather patterns — to shift the way in which heating and cooling systems, landscaping, flow of people through cities, and other pieces of urban life are controlled.
Think about the Nest Thermostat, which “learns” what temperature you like, and when you’re home to need that heat or air conditioning. Systems across an urban area can use the same principles, considering vehicular patterns and individual habits to balance energy supply and demand. Electric grid operators already do that on a broad scale – they know demand will be higher on a hot August day than on a mild autumn evening.