Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 15 DECEMBER 2014

A Collaborative Approach To Making Smart Cities A Reality

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP
Charles Russell Speechlys LLP
Contributor
Charles Russell Speechlys LLP

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP

Charles Russell Speechlys is an international law firm with a focus on private capital, at the...

View firm profile
Explore more from Charles Russell Speechlys LLP

From Orkney to Islington, smart technologies are changing the way communities interact with their environment and are allowing them to utilise existing infrastructure to its maximum potential, often in new and exciting ways.

United KingdomEnergy and Natural Resources
David Berry
David Berry

Thoughts from a seminar hosted by Charles Russell Speechlys on 13 November 2014:

"SMART COMMUNITIES"

From Orkney to Islington, smart technologies are changing the way communities interact with their environment and are allowing them to utilise existing infrastructure to its maximum potential, often in new and exciting ways.

The Orkney Islands' smart grid was the first network in the world to link energy storage systems on an island network with the integrated output from solar, wave, wind and tidal electricity generation. By balancing supply and demand in real time, the introduction of a smart grid system allowed the island to harness its unique natural resources and increase its renewable energy generation. Meanwhile, the London Borough of Islington is using its local resources in the form of hot air from the local Northern Line to generate heat for houses and a leisure centre.  In both the Orkneys and Islington, the community's use of locally

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

View source

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

“Pay To Stay”: Ofgem’s Plan To Cull The Data Centre Connection Queue

Ofgem's proposed data centre connection reforms introduce substantial upfront commitment fees ranging from £237,500 to £712,500 per MW and stringent queue management milestones for projects seeking grid connections. Will these measures successfully eliminate speculative projects while preserving viable data centre developments, or will they drive investment away from the UK entirely?
United KingdomEnergy and Natural Resources
Slaughter and May
Slaughter and May
Article

Gate 2 Connection Offer Deadlines Updated: What Ofgem’s Decision Means For Energy Projects

Ofgem has approved a revised timetable for Gate 2 connection offers under the Gate 2 to Whole Queue process, extending key deadlines that may affect project financing, programme risk and contractual alignment. The decision provides clarity on the National Energy System Operator's licence obligations and introduces phased delivery milestones for energy projects progressing through the connections queue.
United KingdomEnergy and Natural Resources
Shakespeare Martineau LLP
Shakespeare Martineau LLP
Article

EU Nuclear: A €241 Billion Investment Cycle Takes Shape

10 March 2026 was a defining day for EU energy policy. The European Commission published its new strategy for nuclear, offering it a central place in the EU’s energy vision. Two key documents set out its approach: the Strategy for the development and deployment of Small Modular Reactors in Europe (the EU SMR Strategy) and the final 8th Nuclear Illustrative Programme under Article 40 Euratom (the 8th PINC).
European UnionEnergy and Natural Resources
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP
Article

Futureproofing Data Centres: How To Navigate Grid Constraints And Alternative Power Strategies

The UK's rapid expansion of data centres to support its AI ambitions is creating an unprecedented energy challenge, with over 125 gigawatts of projects waiting for National Grid access while demand is expected to increase six-fold by 2035. As grid connection delays threaten to constrain development, operators are increasingly turning to alternative 'behind-the-meter' energy solutions that bypass traditional infrastructure bottlenecks.
United KingdomEnergy and Natural Resources
Shakespeare Martineau LLP
Shakespeare Martineau LLP
Article

Scotland's Hydrogen Opportunity: Why Land, Infrastructure and Regulatory Certainty Matter

Scotland's hydrogen sector is advancing rapidly as developers and investors navigate the complex landscape of land rights, infrastructure requirements, and regulatory frameworks needed to achieve ambitious production targets. With 5GW targeted by 2030 and 25GW by 2045, the intersection of real estate, planning, and evolving EU standards will determine which projects successfully deliver low-carbon hydrogen production and export capabilities.
United KingdomEnergy and Natural Resources
Burges Salmon LLP
Burges Salmon LLP
Article

What July 2026’s Bank Of England Decision Means For Private Capital Stakeholders

As widely anticipated, the Bank of England voted last week to hold Bank Rate at 3.75%. Whilst markets had expected the decision, it is noticeable that the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) moved from a 7-2 decision, to a 6-3 one, with three members favouring a 0.25% increase. The move demonstrates the continued uncertainty around the UK’s inflationary environment, particularly in light of geopolitical tension, tariffs and trade disruption and political change, and their combined impact on global energy prices and the wider economic outlook.
United KingdomFinance and Banking
Charles Russell Speechlys LLP
Charles Russell Speechlys LLP
Article

Summer 2026 Update: Where Are We Are On The Government’s Roadmap To Commonhold?

The UK Government has announced plans to introduce a substantially amended Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill in Autumn 2026, incorporating recommendations from the Housing Select Committee that could accelerate major changes to residential property ownership. Key proposals include reducing ground rent caps from £250 to nil after just 20 years, mandating automatic conversion to commonhold after collective enfranchisement, and establishing an independent regulator for property managing agents with enf
United KingdomReal Estate and Construction
Charles Russell Speechlys LLP
Charles Russell Speechlys LLP