SMARTGREENS 2015

The papers included in this special issue are the result of an open call for papers and a set of selected papers from the 4th International Conference on Smart Cities and Green ICT Systems (SMARTGREENS 2015). In linewith the topics of SMARTGREENS, this special issuewill focus on solutions for all aspects of green computing such as energy efficiency, carbon footprint reduction and cooling management. The tradeoffs between energy efficiency and performance have become key challenges that must be addressed in all areas of computing, from embedded and distributed systems to traditional performance-oriented infrastructures. Particularly relevant is the so-called Smart Grid technology, seeking to optimize distributed electricity generation, especially from renewable sources, and to promote the use of smart devices (including smart home and new vehicular energy approaches) that require further research on distributed communications, energy storage and integrations of various sources of energy. This special issue received 14 submissions and herewith presents 5 research papers with novel concepts and applications in the aforementioned areas. The high number