The advancement of the US Smart Grid has taken another significant step forward after the US Department of Energy agreed to award $620million to projects across the country aimed at advancing Smart Grid technologies and integrated systems.
In total, 32 projects will benefit including those focusing on large-scale energy storage; distribution and transmission system monitoring devices; plug-in vehicles; and smart meters.
The funding has been divided into two areas: the first group, consisting of 16 awards, totals $435million and supports fully integrated Smart Grid demonstrations in 21 states. The second group features another 16 awards at a total of $185million aimed at funding utility scale energy storage projects that will enhance both the reliability and the efficiency of the grid.
Several of the projects will involve regional demonstrations of plug-in vehicles, including:
- Columbus Southern Power Company – Will demonstrate smart grid infrastructure for 110,000 customers in the state and will include 13 different technologies from the substation to the customer including plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
- Los Angeles Department of Water and Power – Along with a consortium of local research institutions, this project deploys smart grid systems at partners’ university campus properties and technology transfer laboratories. It will gather data on how customers use energy in a variety of systems and how to integrate plug-in hybrid electric vehicles on to the grid.
- Centre for the Commercialisation of Electric Technologies – The project includes the installation of synchrophasors to enhance monitoring of grid conditions as variable wind resources move through the system as well as looking at the use of integrated technologies including plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
- Pecan Street Project – Focuses on developing and implementing an Energy Internet micro-grid in Austin, Texas, to build on existing Smart Grid programmes. It will link 1,000 residential smart meters, 75 commercial meters and plug-in electric vehicle charging sites.
- NSTAR Electric & Gas Corporation – The project will demonstrate the use of advanced sensors and monitoring instrumentation networks in downtown Boston to boost reliability and safety. It will also increase the system’s capacity to integrate technologies such as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
