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By Jesse Berst

 

In a smart move other states should emulate, Illinois is using its upcoming smart meter rollout to promote itself as "a hub for the R&D, manufacturing, development and financing of smart grid and energy projects,” said Dr. Mohammad Shahidehpour, Director of the Robert W. Galvin Center for Electricity Innovation at the Illinois Institute of Technology. “Illinois will now have the most comprehensive smart grid deployment in the U.S., and we can use our existing intellectual and human capital to ensure we serve as a model for the rest of the world.”

 

The recently enacted Illinois Energy Infrastructure Modernization Act authorizes the state’s two major utilities, ComEd and Ameren, to spend $3.2 billion over 10 years to update the state’s electricity infrastructure, more than half of which will be smart grid related.

Illinois first produced a market study to identify every Illinois company that could potentially benefit from the deployments (nearly 200, it turns out). It then took steps to support those companies and to attract new ones. For instance, the new law creates a $22.5 million investment fund to support startups and existing firms. It also requires ComEd and Ameren to establish physical testbeds where entrepreneurs can get access to the grid. The press release brags that "Illinois will be the first state to be home to the compelling combination of a smart grid specific investment fund and a utility-connected test bed."

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Jesse Berst is the founder and chief analyst of Smart Grid News.com. He consults to smart grid companies seeking market entry advice and M&A advisory. A frequent keynoter at industry events in the US and abroad, he also serves on the Advisory Council of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's Energy & Environment directorate.

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Government Leadership: An Oxymoron

“Illinois will now have the most comprehensive smart grid deployment in the U.S. ... blah blah blah ... model for the rest of the world.” Texas is now completing its four-year deployment of advanced meters just as Illinois' legislators figure out that "smart" is a good buzz-word for justifying raising utility rates by $3-billion and creating a $22.5-million slush fund. Yeah right -- Illinois is the bleeding-edge model for the world.

Bob Williamson - 03/14/2012 - 06:16

Smart Grid Leadership in Illinois

Hey Bob, No need to denigrate efforts of others in an attempt to bring attention to your own. There is impressive leadership and progress being made on smart grid initiatives in a number of states and countries. Let me know if you would like to highlight smart grid efforts in Texas on SmartGrid.com This video highlights goals of the site http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=VtZdmA8jO3w

Bruce Hamilton - 04/27/2012 - 04:55

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