Already, smart city technologies are strong in Europe and the Middle East. Now, cities all over North America are joining the smart cities movement as well. Once the journey begins, a city quickly realizes that it cannot become smart and sustainable without the help of its electric power utility. Like it or not, investor-owned utilities are being pulled into the smart city conversation.

I predict many utilities will learn to appreciate the smart cities movement. Implemented correctly, the smart cities dialogue will give utilities powerful new advocates for the policy and rate changes necessary to flourish. Implemented correctly, dialogue will help utilities find partners to share the costs of upgrades. Implemented correctly, smart cities will position utilities as the foundation for future economic growth.