Building smarter, more sustainable cities: why collaboration matters more than ever

“The future of the UK’s energy transition will not be decided in Whitehall. It will be decided here. In cities. In places that can move from ambition to action.”

Speaking at Futureproof Nottingham, Scott Somerville, Director of External Affairs at E.ON, described how cities play a pivotal role in shaping the energy transition – and how the leadership they offer is fundamental to achieving a fair, affordable and sustainable outcome for the many, not the few.

Cities are where infrastructure meets homes, where policy meets planning, and where national goals either become reality or grind to a halt. It is a reminder that local leadership, collaboration and integrated planning are no longer optional.

The shift from siloed projects to coordinated systems is what will determine whether the UK can reach its climate, affordability and energy security goals at pace.

 “Cities don’t need disconnected solutions,” Scott Somerville told the conference. “They need integrated systems . . . partnerships that are built for delivery, not just announcements.

“Nottingham matters deeply to us at E.ON. This is not a fly-in, fly-out relationship. Our roots here run deep. We’re part of the local economy, part of the local community, and part of the city’s future.”

E.ON’s commitment to Nottingham has deep connections going back decades, with that local presence meaning it is not just responding to the challenges of today but investing in long-term, place-based solutions that drive economic growth, lower energy costs and support communities.

The power of connected assets

One of the clearest opportunities for cities lies in harnessing connected energy assets, from solar panels and batteries to heat pumps, EV chargers and local networks. According to Phil McDermott, E.ON’s City Energy Transformation Lead, the biggest opportunity lies specifically in ‘behind-the-meter’ systems in customers’ homes or businesses – an approach which can significantly reduce the level of investment otherwise needed for traditional grid upgrades.

“Connected assets… have the potential to alleviate something like 30 to 40% of the spend we would otherwise need,” Phil McDermott said. “Innovation needs to drive those connections between, for example, solar, batteries, heat pumps, EV charging. Scaling up at a local level, across multiple assets and multiple uses, has massive potential to support and encourage not just growth, but reducing cost locally and enabling greater social equality.”

This approach allows cities to maximise local renewable generation, reduce peak demand, and make better use of existing network capacity.

Batteries: a cornerstone of smarter systems

Batteries are emerging as one of the most practical and impactful tools in the shift to making energy more affordable and smarter. Home storage helps to reduce customer bills by allowing people to story electricity at off-peak energy prices ready for use at more expensive peak periods.

At the same time they help to balance the grid, and unlock more renewable sources, generating wider benefits across the energy system.

In four communities around the UK, E.ON is already deploying batteries across homes and businesses, helping to support local networks. The result is a more reliable, more locally controlled energy system that benefits residents and businesses alike.

Designing systems around people

For the energy transition to be successful, communities must feel the benefits clearly and fairly. That is why people – and the places they live – must be at the heart of every decision. Cities succeed when infrastructure, technology and community engagement are aligned.

Scott Somerville underscored this point: “Affordability is not a nice-to-have. It is the test of success. When those three align, things move. When they don’t, we lose time we simply don’t have.”

Insights from industry leaders

Other speakers at Futureproof Nottingham reinforced why collaboration and joined-up planning are essential for future-ready cities:

Using data to target impact
Michael Gallagher of East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) stressed that effective planning depends on accurate data: “Without good data, we can’t plan a way forward.”
His team’s regional digital twin will identify where investment can deliver the greatest social and economic benefit, particularly in areas facing fuel poverty.

Strengthening heat networks
Stephen Cook of Arup highlighted the importance of Nottingham’s district heat network and the need to modernise and expand it. The goal: integrate multiple sources such as waste heat and river water while managing customer costs through coordinated, system-wide planning.

Digitalisation and smarter buildings
Kelly Crews from Willmott Dixon emphasised how AI, digitalisation and better building data will help cities run more efficiently – and ensure new developments are ready to connect into future energy systems.

The energy transition will succeed city by city, street by street, home by home. Nottingham is proving what is possible when ambition meets delivery, when systems connect intelligently, and when partners come together with a shared purpose.