Smart City Gdynia

On July 3, 2014, the second conference in the “Smart City Congress” series took place at the Hotel Nadmorski in Gdynia, organized by Green Cars Cluster, Smart IT Cluster, and GreenPL Capital Group. One of the main topics was green transportation.

The growth of motorization in Poland is economically beneficial, but what about its impact on the environment? The increasing number of vehicles on Polish roads significantly deteriorates environmental conditions. Therefore, it’s worth considering sustainable transportation alternatives aimed at preserving the natural environment,” stated Juan Davi Ferrer, President of the Smart IT Cluster.

“Eliminating harmful emissions into the atmosphere is not the only benefit of electric transport. Electric motors operate almost silently and are more efficient than combustion engines. They also produce significantly less heat, reducing the need for intensive cooling. Additionally, the cost of traveling 100 km is much lower. This also ensures economic stability, as electricity prices are more predictable compared to fluctuations in oil prices,” emphasized Konrad Hamera, a representative of Green Point.

Introducing electric vehicles to the Polish market represents a significant step forward. However, ensuring a robust charging infrastructure is crucial for the continued growth of the EV market. Adequate charging stations are necessary to alleviate concerns about the limited range of electric vehicles for longer journeys,” explained Hamera.

“As the primary goal of Smart City is to enhance urban functionality, efficiently manage renewable resources, and improve residents’ quality of life through modern technologies, cities are seen as integrated systems,” added representatives.

The potential of data networks to enhance Smart City operations was highlighted by Jacek Mandas from Google Enterprise. His presentation sparked lively discussions on statistical data visualization and Google’s self-driving car technology.

Other notable speakers included Marcin Dolata from InżynierPV, presenting solar energy innovations, and Anna Górska, President of the Gdańsk Tourist Organization/Gdańsk Convention Bureau, showcasing modern tourism promotion tools. Additionally, workshops on collaboration tools for stakeholders and investors in transport system changes were conducted by the Center for Transport and Infrastructure Analysis (CATI).

Participants also enjoyed test drives of electric BMW i3 cars provided by BMW Poland, and entertainment by Cezary Pazura, adding a humorous touch to the congress.

The “Smart City Congress” series provides a platform for discussing evolving opportunities presented by technologies such as information technology. The Thursday event saw the participation of distinguished guests, including representatives from central and regional authorities, and experts from the IT, energy, and automotive sectors. The second edition of the “Smart City Congress” was supported by Siemens, BMW, Google Enterprise, Center for Transport and Infrastructure Analysis (CATI), and the Gdańsk Tourist Organization, with honorary patronage from the Mayor of Gdynia.

Gdynia 03.07.2014