TECHNOLOGY LEADERS IEEE Electrification Magazine / JUNE 2018 6 2325-5987/18©2018IEEE By Aleksi Paaso, Daniel Kushner, Shay Bahramirad, and Amin Khodaei Grid Modernization Is Paving the Way for Building Smarter Cities RBAN ENVIRONMENTS ARE playing a major role in modern economies, with more people choosing to move to cit- ies for a better quality of life. In fact, more than half of the human popula- tion currently live in cities, and the United Nations estimates the urban population will reach almost 70% of the world’s population by 2050. This significant and continuous shift demands a more intelligent and planned use of available resources in urban environments, leading to the development of “smart cities.” Smart cities are now receiving increased worldwide attention, and a grow- ing number of initiatives are being launched worldwide to promote this concept (Figure 1). This article presents an overview of the concept of smart cities, high- lighting its focus areas and the asso- ciated enabling infrastructure. It further discusses the potential op- portunities provided for electric utili- ties as well as how they can become major players in implementing smart city programs that help pro- mote electrification and environ- mental justice. Ongoing initiatives pursued by the Commonwealth Edi- son Company (ComEd), the electric utility in the greater Chicago area and northern Illinois, are discussed with a focus on the importance of the smart grid as a major enabler of smart city development. Smart Cities The smart city is a global concept with almost as many definitions and initiatives as there are cities participating in the movement. As a general rule, however, the concept focuses on using data and technolo- gy that allow governments and stakeholders to create connected, livable, and sustainable cities. The drive for smart cities has accelerat- ed as the salience of reducing soci- ety’s carbon footprint has increased, particularly in a way that can pro- vide environmental justice. Focus Areas The definitions of a smart city may vary, but generally speaking, its aim is to enhance the focus areas of connec- tivity, livability, workability, and sus- tainability. Connectivity refers to using smart devices and data to provide the best smart city solutions. Enhanced livability means a better quality of life for city residents by providing access to a comfortable, safe, and healthy lifestyle. Availability of inexpensive energy and faster emergency re- sponse are some of the most highly valued aspects of what is referred to in this article as livability. Enhanced workability represents accelerated economic development, i.e., more and better jobs, in which valued aspects include clean and reliable energy, resilient infrastructure, and efficient transportation. Enhanced sustainability means giving people access to the resources they need in a sustainable manner. Alternative energy resources, improved physical infrastructure, and energy efficiency are some of the critical aspects of sustainability. The overlap of these three focus areas represents a sweet spot for smart city initiatives. Building Blocks Compared with the traditional model of a city, a smart city should have three distinct characteristics that lead to a fundamental transfor- mation: smartness, connectivity, and community engagement. These characteristics result from the three building blocks of infrastructure, data, and citizens. Availability of big data collected from myriad sensing and measurement devices through- out the community and enabled via information and communication technology provide the smartness component; growing interdepen- dency of the smart community infrastructure where any change in one may impact others represents the connectivity component; and the indisputable role of citizens in decision making and community man- agement and the growing movement Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/MELE.2018.2816848 Date of publication: 30 May 2018 U