How Smart Cities Are Transforming Electrical Engineering Careers

Smart cities are reshaping urban living by leveraging system-level integration through technological advancements such as digital sensors, connectivity, and artificial intelligence to enhance efficiency and sustainability. Electrical engineers are at the forefront of this innovative transformation, who design and implement the technologies and systems that drive smart cities and create innovative urban ecosystems.¹

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, allocates $100 million annually between 2022 and 2026 to Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) grants to fund smart city initiatives.²

This article explores how smart cities are shaping the future of electrical engineering, from smart grids to sustainable electrical engineering practices.

Smart Cities and the Future of Electrical Engineering

Electrical engineers are leading the shift towards renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric, to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and cut carbon emissions. Collaborating with computer scientists, civil engineers, and system experts, they develop smart grids and sensors networks to optimize energy distribution for homes and businesses.³

Smart cities rely on these advanced power systems and communication networks to increase efficiency by collecting real-time data to improve resource allocation, ensuring greater efficiency and resilience in urban infrastructure.³ Smart cities connect transportation, utilities, public services, and infrastructure through digital technologies. Predictive maintenance, for example, monitors equipment and provides data that can be used to predict maintenance needed on that equipment. This feature has the ability to detect a burned-out streetlight in real time, triggering a service response immediately.⁴

Key Technologies Driving Smart City Innovations

Electrical engineering for smart cities includes the following technologies:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT)

Smart Cities rely on IoT sensors to monitor energy and utility use, transportation, air quality, public services and other aspects of infrastructure. These sensors feed data into AI-based communication network that analyzes the data and makes real-time adjustments – such as balancing electricity loads to accommodate peak demands to prevent grid failures.⁵

Smart Grids and Energy Systems

Traditional power grids struggle to meet modern demands, while fossil fuels contribute to global warming through high carbon emissions. Cutting-edge technologies and systems are being used to modernize the power grid, shift to renewable energy sources, and maximize efficiency.⁵

A core component of a smart grid is its ability to respond dynamically to faults. Advanced sensors, known as Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs), allow grid operators to assess grid stability. They provide automated outage detection and power rerouting to avoid problems or blackouts. For example, when a fault is detected in a power line, smart grid systems can automatically reroute energy, isolate the faulty segment, and continue delivering electricity without major disruptions.⁶

Transitioning to renewable energy sources is a core element of smart cities. According to the global consulting firm Deloitte, wind and solar energy are the key to achieve the goals of “people-powered smart cities.” Although cities only cover 2% of the global landmass, they account for most of the world’s energy usage. Renewable energy can make cities more sustainable and economically competitive.⁷

Smart Transportation and EV Infrastructure 

Electric vehicles (EVs) reduce pollution and integrate into smart grids through vehicle-to-grid integration technology. Electrical engineers are essential in designing EV charting network and infrastructure to ensure seamless connectivity within smart cities.⁸

Smart transportation involves using a variety of technologies to manage transportation systems to improve efficiency and safety. Through IoT devices like sensors and 5G communication technology, real-time traffic monitoring, adaptive traffic light synchronization, and prioritization systems for emergency vehicles and public transportation can be implemented to enhance transportation throughout a city.⁹

Autonomous vehicles have the potential to contribute to smart cities by fostering a seamlessly connected urban environment. A smart city can integrate traffic camera data and infrastructure sensors to enhance routing decisions and create a safer driving experience for the vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists. Autonomous vehicles and technological advancements represent the full potential of an interconnected smart city.¹⁰

Essential Skills Electrical Engineers Need for Smart City Projects

To develop these forward-facing systems and technologies, electrical engineers will need to master cutting-edge skills related to digital competencies, sustainable engineering, and collaborative systems development.

Digital Competencies

Smart cities use digital technologies. The technologies used in electrical engineering are evolving to focus on the digital competencies needed to power the connectivity and complex systems that are necessary to design these innovative solutions.¹¹

Artificial intelligence and machine learning (ML) programs underpin smart grids. Electrical engineers need to be proficient in employing AI and ML algorithms, which are used for applications such as optimizing power grids, predictive maintenance, and smart grid management. AI drives the predictive analytics that are used to make adjustments in real time to more effectively allocate grid resources and avoid outages.¹¹

IoT is closely connected to AI in developing and maintaining smart cities. Electrical engineers need to know how to use IoT technologies to develop responsive energy systems. They need data analytics skills to analyze and optimize smart cities as well as cybersecurity skills to protect them from malicious actors.¹¹

Sustainable Engineering Practices

Sustainable engineering focuses on innovating ways that reduce waste, preserve natural resources, and mitigate environmental damage. Increasing efficiency is an important element in all of these aims. Electrical engineers promote sustainability by advancing the use of renewable energy such as solar, wind, and water. Optimizing these systems reduces the environmental impact of energy production. Electrical engineers working on smart city projects also have to be adept at developing energy-efficient technologies such as eco-friendly lighting and energy-efficient appliances.¹²

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Smart cities require a highly collaborative approach. Working with other professionals, such as urban planners, civil engineers, IT teams, and systems engineers is essential to coordinate the complex elements of a smart city. Engineers need a combination of technical skills and soft skills to collaborate effectively. They have to be able to communicate well, listen carefully, and engage with a variety of stakeholders.¹²

Use Your Skills to Develop Sustainable Smart Cities 

Electrical engineers are leading the cause toward more sustainable living through smart cities. Bradley University’s online BS in Electrical Engineering program will prepare you with the skills and knowledge you need to develop eco-friendly technologies and solutions for the modern world.

You’ll learn from the convenience of your own home, on your own schedule. However, you’re never alone. You’ll be supported by expert faculty and working with peers to gain hands-on experience in real-world situations.

Our ABET-accredited curriculum includes core electrical engineering principles, innovative labs, and targeted electives that will give you the practical skills you need to succeed in today’s competitive labor market. Reach out to one of our admissions outreach advisors today to learn more.