The role of cities is getting more complex due to growth of population, impact on climate change and the need to increase energy security. To meet these requirements, transformation of cities must be initiated in all resource management activities and critical infrastructures, beginning with improving the energy efficiency of public buildings. These way best practices are demonstrated, enabling knowledge dissemination amongst citizens and promoting energy efficiency improvements in private homes and business.

In the residential and service sector, information on energy and water consumption is commonly only provided on a monthly or bi-monthly basis. Frequently the recipient of the information has no benchmark to assist in determining whether consumption levels are normal or excessive. There are two gaps or barriers which need to be addressed. First, there is a need for a system that will provide higher-quality, more detailed information on a more frequent basis. Second, the system should have the capacity to analyze the information received and act on the parameters available to correct possible malfunctions. To overcome these issues, an integrated information system is required, enabling both entries of manual readouts (and accompanied by appropriate education of the staff in the building where energy and water is consumed) and reception of data from intelligent metering systems that capture real-time data.

The Energy Management Information System (EMIS) is software developed within the Energy Management in Cities and Counties (EM) project and also used in House in Order (HIO) project to help in implementation of energy management programs in public buildings. There is a need for redefinition and development of a new tool for intelligent energy management. Intelligent Information System for Monitoring and Verification of Energy Management in Cities (ISEMIC) builds upon accrued experiences from EMIS development and implementation, adds new functionality and also enables use of the developed methodology in public buildings and other sectors such as large service providers and industry with ultimate goal of achieving full transferability to other countries in the region.