Smart Grid

Nevada first state in the nation with a private utility signing a major contract to build and implement smart grid

March 12, 2010 -- Washington, D.C. – Nevada Senator Harry Reid today made the following statement on the news that NV Energy has signed a contract with the Department of Energy, making them the first investor-owned utility in the nation to be contracted by the federal government for smart grid development.

In October 2009, Reid announced nearly $140 million in economic recovery funding for NV Energy for the infrastructure and modernization of Nevada’s electricity delivery systems. NV Energy plans to match the funding with $160 million for efficient electricity and natural gas delivery initiatives.    » read more »

Electricity Systems Now Talking to Each Other Thanks to Smart Grid Technology

LINDEN, N.J. -- December 08, 2009 -- Two major Northeastern US power grids, in New Jersey and New York City, are now talking to each other and dispatching energy more efficiently and reliably using breakthrough GE smart grid technology and capital, the company announced today.

Three massive “variable frequency transformers” are converting up to 315 megawatts of electricity – enough for up to 300,000 homes – from the power system in New Jersey and feeding it to New York City.    » read more »

Using Wind Expertise and Proven Technology, GE Makes Solar More Reliable

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. -- December 09, 2009 -- Technology used in GE’s (NYSE:GE) wind turbines, known for proven performance and reliability, is now bringing similar benefits to large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Building on a platform of power electronics, monitoring and controls that enhance wind energy grid integration, GE has developed a 600 kW solar inverter, which includes grid-friendly features to deliver performance in large-scale solar installations similar to conventional power plants.    » read more »

ST. LOUIS, Dec. 3, 2009 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] on Nov. 24 was selected to receive federal stimulus funds from the U.S. Department of Energy as part of a three-year study to improve the efficiency and reliability of the United States' power grid.    » read more »

Recovery Act funding will upgrade the electrical grid, save energy and create jobs

November 24, 2009 -- COLUMBUS, OHIO – At an event in Columbus, Ohio this afternoon, Secretary Chu announced that the Department of Energy is awarding $620 million for projects around the country to demonstrate advanced Smart Grid technologies and integrated systems that will help build a smarter, more efficient, more resilient electrical grid.

These 32 demonstration projects, which include large-scale energy storage, smart meters, distribution and transmission system monitoring devices, and a range of other smart technologies, will act as models for deploying integrated Smart Grid systems on a broader scale.    » read more »

Recovery Act Funding will Help Upgrade the Electric Grid, Save Energy and Create Jobs

November 27, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced that four New York advanced-energy projects will receive more than $88 million in funding to support Smart Grid demonstration and energy storage projects through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. These projects were competitively selected with 28 other projects funded nationwide to help build a smarter, more efficient and more resilient electrical grid.    » read more »

11/24/2009 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement after California was awarded nearly $175 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) funds from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for advanced Smart Grid demonstrations and integrated energy storage projects that will help build a smarter and more energy efficient electrical system:    » read more »

November 24, 2009 -- (Washington, DC) - U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen today announced that the Department of Energy has awarded the National Rural Electric Cooperative a $33,932,146 grant to install and operate smart grid technologies in 17 rural electric cooperatives across 10 states. The New Hampshire Electric Cooperative in Plymouth has been selected as one of the utilities to participate in the project.

This funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) will be combined with $1 billion in funds from the private sector to support more than $1.6 billion in total smart grid projects nationally.    » read more »

Cantwell Championed Funding to Make the Nation's Electricity Grid Smarter, Stronger, More Efficient and Reliable

November 24,2009 -- SEATTLE, WA – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) announced that Battelle Memorial Institute will receive a federal investment of $88,821,251 to develop smart grid technologies that will create jobs and lead to lower electricity bills for consumers.    » read more »

Brown Wrote Letter in Support of Funds for Smart Grid Project at AEP that Will Create 500 Jobs, Improve Energy Efficiency, and Lower Costs

November 24, 2009 -- GROVEPORT, OH - U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced $75 million in new Recovery Act funds to improve energy efficiency and lower costs for AEP Ohio consumers. Brown wrote a letter in July in support of these funds, which are expected to create 500 jobs while improving energy efficiency through Smart Grid technology.    » read more »

RICHMOND, Va., Nov. 10 -- Dominion Virginia Power is working with Virginia Tech to make the "smart grid" smarter by developing and testing innovative technology that will improve the electric grid's efficiency and reliability. This technology, known as "synchrophasors," does this by providing dynamic real-time information about conditions on the transmission grid.

The research project, funded by a $1.5 million grant from the Department of Energy, also involves Quanta Technology of Raleigh, N.C.    » read more »

U.S. Department of Energy Awards Salt River Project Competitive Grant Funds

27 October 2009 -- WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama today announced a $3.4 billion investment in Smart Grid technology, the largest single Smart Grid modernization investment in U.S. history, funding a broad range of projects that will ease the nation's transition to a smarter, stronger, more efficient and reliable electric system.

As part of that investment, Tempe-based Salt River Project (SRP) was awarded a $56 million competitive grant to install smart grid technology that will help save money and fuel and ensure that electricity is moved efficiently throughout Arizona and the Western Region. Mitchell, who advocated on behalf of the competitive grant application, welcomed the news of the award.    » read more »

Award will help increase electric reliability, create clean energy jobs

10/28/2009 -- Las Vegas — U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced the award of $138 million in federal funds to NV Energy for smart grid technology. Matching funds increase the value of this project to $298 million. These funds will help transition an electric distribution system to a smarter, more efficient and reliable electric system, and spur the creation of clean energy jobs across Nevada.    » read more »

Lauds Houston Utilities’ Smart Grid Leadership; Local Companies Awarded Over $250 Million in Smart Grid Grants

October 28, 2009 -- HOUSTON, Texas – Visiting the Energy Capital of the World, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today lauded the advanced power transmission and distribution technology adopted by CenterPoint Energy Houston, a regional utility that received a $200 million federal grant to spur its deployment of a Smart Grid that will improve efficiency and help area consumers manage and control their electricity usage.

Other Texas electric utilities shared about $58 million in Smart Grid grants, including Reliant Energy Retail Services, LLC (Houston); Golden Spread Electric Cooperative (Amarillo); Denton County Electric Cooperative; and El Pasco Electric.    » read more »

October 28, 2009 -- Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Jim Webb (D-VA) and Mark Warner (D-VA) today announced that the Department of Energy released nearly $15.7 million to Rappahannock Electric Cooperative in Fredericksburg for upgrades and improvements to spur Virginia’s transition to a smarter, stronger, more efficient and reliable electric system. The funds were made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The funding for Fredericksburg is part of a $3.4 billion clean-energy initiative aimed at creating markets for wind and solar power. The 100 projects selected will be matched by industry funding for a total public-private investment worth over $8 billion.    » read more »