Scroll down for quick news takes and developments involving Smart Cities Council Partners.
Itron recognized for smart street lighting solutions
Council Global Lead Partner Itron, generally considered an innovator in the way utilities and cities manage energy and water, has been named a Leader in the Navigant Research Leaderboard on smart street lighting. According to Navigant, Itron is “well-positioned to benefit from the growing acceptance among cities of the benefits of using smart street lighting as a platform for smart city applications.” Itron is now managing more than three million street lights throughout the world.
Leidos wins $620M Air Force contract
Global Lead Partner Leidos has been awarded a $620 million contract to provide services for the U.S. Air Force's continuing avionics integration work for its F-16 fighter jet. Specifically, Leidos will act as a product support integrator, manage automated test equipment parts and related support platforms, and take on additional responsibilities in sustainment and procurement for the project.
Enel signs financing for five South African wind farms
Global Lead Partner Enel subsidiary Enel Green Power's South Africa division has signed financing agreements for five wind farms in South Africa. The wind farms will each provide about 140 MW of power. Construction on the first of the wind farms is set to begin by year end and all are scheduled to be operating by the end of 2021. The new wind farms will bring Enel Green Power's total installed capacity in South Africa to more than 1.2 GW.
Microsoft and partner to bring broadband internet to unserved areas in rural Ohio
Global Lead Partner Microsoft is working with telecommunications provider Agile Networks to bring broadband internet access to parts of rural Ohio. The partnership will bring internet service to 110,000 currently unserved residents and expand access to other underserved areas. The project is part of Microsoft's Airband Initiative which will provide internet access to more than two million unserved people by 2022.
Doug Peeples is a Portland, Oregon-based writer specializing in technology and energy. Follow @smartccouncil on Twitter.
