Smart Grid Blog

The first wave of applications for a piece of the almost $4 billion in smart grid stimulus funds were due the first week in August and drew close 50 utilities that we heard of (and hundreds more that have been a lot quieter about it). Now the second deadline to apply for smart grid demonstration projects has just rolled by (on August 26), and even more utilities have made announcements and spoken to the media about their proposals.

This morning New York utility Consolidated Edison said it has applied for $46 million for smart grid demonstration projects in conjunction with the New York City Economic Development Corporation, smart grid software maker Viridity Energy, Boeing, Columbia University, The Prosser Group, CALM Energy and the Rudin Management Company. Con Edison says the pilot project will focus on new technology that will create a two-way communication system between it and its customers, as well as finding ways of bringing down the cost of services for its customers.

via Smart Grid Stimulus Funds: Demo Projects, Partners Emerge.

U.S. power company American Electric Power Co Inc (AEP.N: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Monday its Ohio unit applied for $75 million of federal stimulus funds to finance half of a project that aims to improve electricity distribution efficiency and cut energy consumption.

The $150 million gridSMART Demonstration Project will include the installation of 110,000 advanced electricity meters, new distribution grid technology, plug-in hybrid cars and consumer systems and products, including “smart appliances,” to help customers in northeast central Ohio manage their electricity use.

The U.S. Department of Energy last month said it would begin awarding more than $4 billion in grants for the development of “smart grid” technologies by the end of September. The funding will support projects to update and increase the efficiency of the nation’s electricity grid.

AEP’s project will be deployed starting in 2010, the company said.

via UPDATE 1-AEP unit seeks $75 mln in DOE smart grid funds | Markets | Reuters.

American Superconductor Corp. said Tuesday it has received $12 million in U.S. Department of Energy funding for work on smart grid demonstration projects.

The grants under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act call for the Devens-based energy technology company (Nasdaq: AMSC) to develop a 138 kilovolt fault current limiter using the company’s superconductor wires. The wires can be used to control electrical distribution systems as a part of the smart grid. AMSC will receive $4.8 million as the project manager and wire supplier to the project.

The company also received $7.6 million to fund the second phase of its superconductor power cable project with the Long Island Power Authority. It will provide the high temperature superconductors for the transmission voltage extension of the cable system AMSC installed in April 2008.

“The Obama Administration has placed a high priority on smart grid technologies that enhance the efficiency and resiliency of our expanding power infrastructure,” said Dan McGahn, senior vice president and general manager of AMSC Superconductors, in a statement.

The DOE released $47 million for smart grid demonstration projects as a part of its stimulus funding mandate.

via AMSC nets $12M for superconductor smart grid projects – Mass High Tech Business News.

The Smart Grid Demonstration Project in Fort Collins will receive a $4.8 million boost thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The funds will help the city of Fort Collins and several other partners continue research, development and demonstration of an integrated system of clean energy technologies and distributed energy resources. The $4.8 million is part of a larger funding package garnered by the state.

Colorado was one of seven states receiving a total of $162 million announced Monday by the U.S. Department of Energy. Colorado was awarded almost $19.69 million. The funding will support several projects aimed at expanding renewable energy and increasing energy efficiency.

The funds are part of the DOE’s State Energy Program, for which states have proposed plans that prioritize energy savings, create or retain jobs, increase the use of renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Colorado could receive more than $24 million in additional funding if it successfully implements its plans.

via Smart Grid demo in line for stimulus funding | Northern Colorado Business Report.