Accenture's Intelligent City Network to Promote Smart-Grid Deployment

Accenture has launched the Intelligent City Network to coordinate efforts of utilities and city managers who seek to deploy smart grids.

Thought leaders will be able to exchange knowledge and practical experience about adopting smart-grids. The network will allow users to create blueprints for deployment of smart grids, and integrating the grids with smart buildings and transportation, according to a press release.

Initial members of the Intelligent City Network include:

• Minneapolis, Minn.-based Xcel Energy, which is working with Accenture on its SmartGridCity project in Boulder, Colo. Here is a case study of the project.
• East China Grid Co., a Chinese transmission company
• Russian Interregional Distribution Grid Company of Centre (MRSK of Centre), which will be creating an "intelligent" city in Belgorod in collaboration with the regional government
• Dutch utility Alliander N.V., and
• the City of Amsterdam.

Accenture maintains a site dedicated to smart grids.

Cisco recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Metropolis, a consortium of 106 large cities mostly outside the United States, to help cities use technology that is more efficient and less polluting.