Biden unveils grants for smart grid
More than $3.3 billion in stimulus funding for grants may drive the rollout of a nationwide electrical smart grid.
Source: LA Times, Reuters, Associated Press -- Consulting-Specifying Engineer, 4/17/2009 9:38:21 AM
The Los Angeles Times reports, "Vice President Joe Biden today unveiled details for distributing more than $3.3 billion in stimulus funding for grants to drive the rollout of a nationwide electrical smart grid." The Dept. of Energy will be providing "grants up to $20 million for smart-grid technology deployments and up to $5 million for the deployment of grid monitoring devices."
Biden also announced "an additional $615 million for energy storage, monitoring, and technology viability." Additionally, Energy Secretary Steven Chu "plans to bring together key stakeholders" next month "to develop a road map for creating industry-wide standards to unlock the potential of the smart grid." However, "with players including private utility operators, vendors and manufacturers, state regulators, and consumer representatives, creating a baseline set of standards could prove difficult."
Reuters reports that the DOE released a draft funding for an additional $615 million in grants for smart grid demonstration projects.
The AP reports that, speaking from the factory floor of transformer company ABB Inc., "Biden touted an order for 100 ABB-built electrical transformers to be used at a $300 million wind power plant in northwest Missouri" that will be built with smart electric grid components. "Wind Capital Group, which plans to break ground in August on the DeKalb County project, says it will be the largest wind farm in Missouri with a capacity to provide power to about 50,000 homes."
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