Utility Strategy as Smart City Enabler

Duke Energy has bet on modernizing its infrastructure through projects such as the installation of smart meters or smart streetlight controllers on their 2.5 million light fixtures. As we explored in a previous video, this modernization is leading, not only Duke Energy, but utilities in the US in general to become smart city enablers, creating new revenue streams for the utility in the process. Duke Energy, headquartered in Charlotte, has taken it a step further, and even created along with the Queen city’s government and city partners Envision Charlotte, a public-private-plus partnership focused on creating a sustainable smart city and bridging the gap between industry players.

We interview Jim Cowling, Director of Outdoor Lighting at Duke Energy, and Amy Aussieker, Executive Director of Envision Charlotte, and discuss some of the utility’s smart projects and the role of the non-profit.