The Smart Hydrogen Energy District (SHED) at UBC, launched in June 2024, serves as a city-scale platform for energy system design, aiming to optimize the integration of energy demand and zero-emission energy production in urban settings. Led by Dr. Walter Merida and his team, SHED is funded through private sector and government investments, accelerating understanding of technology performance, business model viability, and community adoption. The project includes a solar rooftop for electricity generation, an electrolyzer for green hydrogen production, and bi-directional charging for electric vehicles, all integrated with UBC's 5G network capabilities. SHED provides partners with a unique opportunity to test and de-risk their technologies and business models before wider deployment, attracting industry investment and fostering breakthrough innovations. By collaborating with industry and government partners, SHED aims to advance technology readiness, commercialization, and evidence-based policy making, contributing to economic development and clean growth. The success of SHED highlights the value of using real-world demonstration projects, like the ones at the UBC campus, to gain critical insights and drive sustainable innovation in urban environments.