For more than a century, electric companies have been partners for urban progress, building essential infrastructure to enable growth and prosperity. As we now transition to smart, sustainable cities, their close involvement is more important than ever.That is why we’re honored to be working with Edison Electric Institute, which is joining the Council as a Global Lead Partner. EEI was founded in 1933 and represents all investor-owned utilities in the U.S., as well as utilities in 90 other countries.EEI’s vast knowledge and experience will help us lift smart cities. You can read about some of our plans for the next year below. — Jesse BerstThe Smart Cities Council and the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) have forged a multi-pronged partnership to encourage smarter, more resilient, sustainable cities. Together, EEI and the Council will work on a series of initiatives, including various educational opportunities that highlight successful city and electric company projects, workshops at Smart Cities Week Silicon Valley on May 7-9, 2018, in Santa Clara, California, and support for electric companies to help cities and communities in their service territories win a valuable Readiness Challenge grant from the Council. “Electric companies can help take smart cities to the next level,” said EEI Chairman Pat Vincent-Collawn, Chairman, President and CEO of PNM Resources. “The electric power industry supports communities’ efforts to advance smarter energy infrastructure, and, electrification and advanced technologies are providing many ways electric companies can collaborate with communities. We are pleased to join efforts with the Smart Cities Council to assist and support these initiatives that will better serve our customers and the communities we serve.”To kick off the partnership, Vincent-Collawn will deliver an opening keynote address on Wednesday, October 4, at the Council’s annual Smart Cities Week conference + exposition at the Washington Convention Center. Vincent-Collawn will discuss how electric companies and communities can partner together to advance smart communities. Additionally, to recognize the role electric companies play in the success of smart city projects, electric companies can recommend cities and communities in their service territories to be awarded one of the Council’s 2018 Readiness Challenge grants. Each year, the Council provides a free Readiness Workshop plus free products and services to five cities, as judged by a panel. Cities receive extra points toward winning if they supply a letter of support from their electric company.Electric companies can also register for their free Council membership.
