UD-18-01: Smart Cities Initiative And Grid Modernization
Council Docket UD-18-01, established via Resolution R-18-536, considers a Smart Cities Initiative (“Initiative”) for the City of New Orleans. The Initiative will be based on concepts of highly-integrated technology services and systems developed and deployed to maximize the use of technology to improve the quality of life, gain a competitive advantage in attracting investment and growth, modernize the electric grid, incorporate advanced telecommunications and Wi-Fi technology, provide interactive communications with utility providers and advanced public safety technology. To jumpstart the implementation of the Initiative, the Advisors drafted a procedural schedule and prepared a report detailing other aspects of technology integration that could be achieved consistent with Smart City initiative to benefit the entire community. On December 20, 2018, the Council adopted Resolution R-18-536 establishing a procedural schedule in connection with the inquiry into establishing an Initiative for the City of New Orleans and directing Entergy New Orleans, LLC (“ENO”) to report with respect to matters related to grid modernization and merging Docket No. UD-18-02 (Electric Vehicles) with Docket No. UD-18-01 (Smart Cities)
Pertinent docket deadline dates and directives were/are as follows:
- April 9, 2018 – Deadline for ENO to file a report detailing available grid modernization technologies together with a description of how much modernization could be implemented by ENO;
- February 18, 2019 – The Utility Advisors are directed to propose a “roadmap” for achieving electric grid modernization and the stated goals of the Initiative together with a draft “Smart Audit” (“Audit”) procedure that would be integrated into the Initiative as an initial stage to help determine the path for the initiate to be a means to maximize and enhance the economic welfare of the City. The Audit should draw upon the comprehensive aspirational model described by Dr. Carl Pechman in his paper entitled “The Smart City Audit as a Building Black for Developing Smart Cities.”
- April 19, 2019 – Last day of Intervenor Comment period;
- May 17, 2019 – First public meeting scheduled to discuss ENO’s grid modernization report relative to the Smart Cities initiative, the Audit proposal, Intervenor comments, and related matters;
- June 14, 2019 – Second public meeting scheduled to discuss ENO’s grid modernization report relative to the Smart Cities initiative, the Audit proposal, Intervenor comments, and related matters;
- June 18, 2019 – Public Comment process must be established by Tuesday, June 18, 2019 which includes two separate public meetings on ENO’s grid modernization report relative to the Smart Cities initiative, the Audit proposal, Intervenor comments, and related matters;
- September 16, 2019 – Advisors Report due.