Smart Grid: DOE Authorizes Grant Money for Pacific Northwest Smart Grid Demonstration Project - Smart Grid News

SmartGridNews.com

The insider's guide to the modernization and automation of electric power

DOE Authorizes Grant Money for Pacific Northwest Smart Grid Demonstration Project
By SGN Staff
Aug 17, 2010 - 1:38:38 PM

The Energy Department has authorized funds to pay for half of the $178 million cost of the Pacific Northwest Smart Grid Demonstration Project. The massive project, said to be the largest Smart Grid demonstration project in the country, will involve more than 60,000 electric power customers and 12 utilities in five states in the Northwest. The project will focus on Smart Grid technologies, including two-way communications, smarter thermostats and enhanced energy storage, according to an article in the Portland Business Journal. The overall goal of the project is improved electric grid management. The balance of the project cost will be covered by participants in the project: Batelle's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, the Bonneville Power Administration and the utilities. When underway, the project is expected to generate up to 1,500 jobs.

Quick Take: The scope of this project alone is impressive, and its contributions to Smart Grid development are expected to be equally significant.