Libelium: The Spanish IoT Connecting the World
In 2006, the development of the Internet of Things (IoT) was still in its early stages. Alicia Asín and her partner David Gascón were convinced they could achieve something significant in this field and founded Libelium. Their initial ambition was accompanied by enthusiasm and a certain level of naïveté. But the result has exceeded expectations: today, the company is an international benchmark, operating in more than 120 countries. One of its most experienced areas is smart cities—connected cities that monitor all kinds of parameters to improve management and quality of life. In this interview, Alicia Asín, CEO and co-founder of Libelium, shares more about this journey.
From a University of Zaragoza spin-off to operating in over 120 countries, Libelium embodies the dream of many entrepreneurs. What’s the story behind this global IoT leader?
Libelium was born in 2006 as a spin-off of the University of Zaragoza, fueled by the curiosity and passion for technology that David Gascón and I shared as classmates in Computer Engineering. Our starting point was a final year project focused on wireless sensor networks, which revealed the enormous potential of IoT. No one was doing anything groundbreaking in this field, and we believed we could become a global leader. In the beginning, we relied more on enthusiasm and naïveté than strategy. We thought running a company would be easy—far from the truth.
We were advised to specialize in a vertical, focus on a few export markets, and design proprietary solutions to protect our know-how. Well, we did none of that. This isn’t to say advice shouldn’t be considered, but when working in a nascent field like IoT in 2006, you have to carve your own path and adapt as challenges arise. In the end, it hasn’t gone too badly, has it?
IoT solutions are among the main technologies driving smart city development. How much progress have we made in this area?
When we started the Smart Santander project in 2013—considered one of Spain’s first smart cities—we were taking the initial steps toward creating a connected city. We deployed a network of 1,125 devices to monitor parameters like temperature, noise, light, and air quality. It was a proof of concept (PoC) to demonstrate how data could help us better understand and manage our cities.
That was what we now call IoT 1.0: collecting data. We weren’t sure yet what to do with it, but the priority was to digitize cities and gather as much data as possible. Then came IoT 2.0. With data in hand, the question was what to do with it. This era marked the rise of big data and the challenge of interoperability: ensuring data from different sources could communicate. We began applying basic algorithms and breaking down silos between municipal departments, promoting a city-wide platform for integrated data management.
“At Libelium, we like to talk about “datocracy”: making decisions based on data for technical and objective issues.”
Today, we’re in the era of artificial intelligence (AI), where we apply insights to this data, enabling not just reactive decisions but predictive and preventative actions. For example, we can anticipate traffic jams during peak hours, pollution spikes, or risks to critical infrastructure.
IoT applications span various aspects of urban management and offer opportunities to address key challenges like pollution. What is Libelium’s approach to this issue?
A decade after Smart Santander, we’ve evolved from merely measuring and collecting data to making informed and automated decisions through IoT combined with AI and predictive analysis using digital twins. A prime example is Cartagena’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ), where we utilize our envair360 solution to design and manage an LEZ based on hyperlocal data on pollution, noise, and mobility.
Low emission zones are often controversial as they impose restrictions on citizens. Whether you implement strict or lenient policies, local governments face criticism. This, along with their technical complexity, is why LEZs have been slow to roll out in Spain.
Our data-driven solution allows municipalities to simulate various restriction scenarios in a virtual environment, determining the most effective measures to reduce CO2 emissions. At Libelium, we like to talk about “datocracy”: making data-driven decisions for technical and objective issues like managing an LEZ, free from ideological biases and focused on the common good.
Efficient water and energy management also offers significant opportunities for smart cities. What actions are being taken in these areas?
As urban demands grow and resources become increasingly scarce, we need to shift from traditional, reactive management to proactive, data-driven approaches.
For water, the challenge isn’t just ensuring availability but also guaranteeing quality and efficient usage. Cities require infrastructure that detects leaks, monitors real-time quality, and adapts to climate change effects such as droughts or heavy rains. By collecting and analyzing data, we can anticipate risks and make informed decisions to protect this vital resource.
In real-time, for instance, we can predict floods and take preventative action or optimize irrigation in public parks based on weather and soil conditions.
In the energy sector, integrating new renewable sources like solar and wind into existing infrastructure is a major challenge. Building new high-voltage lines or upgrading current ones is costly and logistically complex, limiting the ability to transport new energy without risking system overloads. To address this, we’re working on decentralizing energy distribution, enhancing storage solutions, and maximizing existing infrastructure. With Red Eléctrica de España and Telefónica, we’ve developed a digital twin project for high-voltage lines, optimizing the safe injection of energy into the grid.
In a country like Spain, where tourism is a key economic driver, how can IoT contribute?
Tourism is a cornerstone of Spain’s economy, but its benefits don’t always extend to all citizens. As visitor numbers grow, cities must balance economic development with preserving cultural identity and natural resources.
The challenge is clear: how do we continue attracting tourists without compromising residents’ quality of life or the heritage that draws visitors? Once again, data is key. At Libelium, we believe data is the new language for communication between public administrations, private businesses, and citizens, creating positive impacts for cities.
Libelium helps tourist destinations become smarter, fostering a tourism model that is profitable, respectful of its surroundings, and sustainable. We monitor air quality in real-time, enabling local authorities to implement measures that protect public health and enhance visitor experiences.
“If we can foresee a likely future, we can design backward to avoid problems.”
We also provide detailed insights into foot traffic at points of interest, helping prevent overcrowding and promoting lesser-visited neighborhoods. Our solutions extend to preserving architectural heritage by monitoring the effects of air quality and climate conditions on historic buildings. Similarly, we use environmental sensors to protect natural heritage by optimizing resource use and minimizing the environmental impact on sensitive areas like beaches, coral reefs, or natural parks.
After 18 years, what’s next for Libelium?
From the beginning, we’ve known we operate in an environment of constant innovation. Over the next few years, we’ll continue pursuing this path. Looking back, it’s dizzying to see how far we’ve come. Technology evolves so quickly that it’s impossible to predict where it will lead us. However, Libelium remains anchored by three principles: the value of data for better-informed decision-making, innovation in service of sustainability, and a commitment to people and our environment.
And cities—what will they look like in 10 years?
The cities of the future will depend less on available technology and more on our ability to make bold decisions and implement solutions efficiently. Technology advances at such a rapid pace that we often struggle to envision the future or adapt to changes. However, some predictions are clear.
For example, by 2050, global demand for air conditioning is expected to triple due to climate change and economic growth. While this may benefit manufacturers, air conditioning already accounts for 3% of greenhouse gas emissions and 7% of global energy consumption. This problem looms, yet the will to address it remains insufficient.
At Libelium, we emphasize the importance of datocracy: using data and technology to plan and make informed decisions. If we can foresee a likely future, we can design backward to avoid problems. Many European cities aim to be carbon-neutral by 2030, but few have a concrete plan to achieve it. Our failures lie not in prediction but in execution.
In 10 years, cities could be cleaner, more sustainable, and more livable—but only if citizens, technology, and authorities collaborate to apply existing solutions to real challenges. The key is not to wait for technology to do the work for us but to use it strategically with a genuine commitment to change.