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By analyzing data generated by sensors and monitors, communities can monitor and manage energy use, pedestrian safety, traffic flows, air quality, and more. With the help of intelligent services, such as interactive information kiosks, and public Wi-Fi, communities offer residents greater connectivity and access to resources. These technologies and services enable communities to increase efficiency, improve community services, and enhance quality of life for residents. Kansas City, MO, has installed free Wi-Fi across 50 downtown blocks and has 25 interactive kiosks showing entertainment, food, and city services.

Smart buildings reduce energy waste and operational costs by measuring energy use, pinpointing operations and maintenance problems, automating lighting and thermostats, and tracking building performance. This improves sustainability, saves energy, and helps create a better environment for building occupants. Envision Charlotte is a downtown cluster of 61 smart buildings in Charlotte, NC. Building owners have committed to reducing electricity use by 20 percent and, to date, electricity consumption is down by 19 percent, the equivalent of taking more than 11,000 vehicles off the road. Another example can be found in Spokane, WA. As part of the Urbanova collaboration, Avista and other partners are working with Washington State University on a smart building energy management system.

Mobile applications help communities analyze a number of factors and they provide residents with better access to community services, such as EV charging locations and public parking. These mobile applications can better connect communities with their residents.

Smart transportation integrates electrification and digitization with existing community systems to improve safety and mobility and provide greater access to community services. This includes automated and electric vehicles, EV charging infrastructure, and technologies that improve traffic flow. KCP&L has installed 200 congestion sensors in Kansas City, MO, to improve traffic flow. Another example is Albuquerque, NM, which purchased a fleet of 16 electric buses to provide residents a quieter and cleaner public transportation option. In addition, as part of the Urbanova collaboration in Spokane, WA, Avista is installing 272 electric vehicle charging stations.

Distributed solar and wind, small natural gas units, electric vehicles, energy storage, microgrids, and energy management technologies—all connected by the energy grid—are helping communities improve sustainability, efficiency, and reliability. AEP plans to invest in 8-10 microgrids with solar and battery storage as part of the Smart Columbus effort.

As the trend toward smart communities continues to grow, increased electrification and the integration of new and advanced technologies will create new opportunities for collaboration among electric companies, community leaders, universities, technology companies, other business partners, and citizens to achieve these goals.In Spokane, WA, Avista Utilities, Itron, Spokane city government, Washington State University, and others have partnered to transform the University District into a testing ground for cutting-edge smart city ideas.

Interactive informational kiosks empower and connect citizens, tourists, and local businesses. They bring efficiency and convenience to transportation scheduling, ticketing, and more. Beyond the core purpose of providing information, some kiosks also are designed to serve as free Wi-Fi hotspots.

Smart street lighting helps communities save energy, lower costs, and reduce maintenance—all while better serving citizens. Smart street lighting also can help communities reduce crime and make parking lots and roadways safer through improved visibility.SDG&E has installed 14,000 LEDs and 3,200 sensors to save energy and improve congestion in San Diego.

Smart meters improve reliability, resiliency, and customer services. Smarts meters enable faster outage detection and restoration of service when an outage occurs. And, through smart meters, electric companies can provide customers with information to help them manage their energy use. Across the United States, electric companies have installed more than 70 million smart meters in 55 percent of all U.S. households.