Dept. of Energy increases maximum award available for Smart Grid programs

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced a dramatic increase in federal funding for the development of a nationwide "smart" electric power grid.

The Department of Energy increased the maximum award available under the Recovery Act's Smart Grid Investment Grant Program from $20 million to $200 million. For Smart Grid Demonstration Projects, maximum funds available were increased from $40 million to $100 million. The Department of Energy added that it would provide funding to a diversity of applications - from small projects to larger projects.

The announcement followed a White House meeting of industry leaders to discuss standards for the devices that will connect the grid.

The Department of Commerce describes the scope of the coast-to-coast undertaking:

"A Smart Grid would replace the current, outdated system and employ real-time, two-way communication technologies to allow users to connect directly with power suppliers. The development of the grid will create jobs and spur the development of innovative products that can be exported. Once implemented, the Smart Grid is expected to save consumers money and reduce America's dependence on foreign oil by improving efficiency and spurring the use of renewable energy sources."

Secretary Locke applauded President Obama for making "a smart electrical grid a key element of his plan to lower energy costs for consumers, achieve energy independence and reduce greenhouse gas emissions," and said the White House meeting was "a significant step toward developing the standards necessary to realize the Smart Grid vision."

Creating national standards is a critical part of the Smart Grid development process and the responsibility of the Department of Energy. Coordinating these standards and achieving industry support is the Commerce Department's duty. The meeting was part one of an aggressive three-phase plan launched by the Commerce Department to expedite standards development.

Public comments on the standards will be accepted for 30 days after their publication in the Federal Register. The date of publication will be posted on the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Smart Grid web page.

Comments may be submitted to smartgrid@nist.gov.

Smart Grid: An Introduction (Department of Energy)

Locke, Chu Announce Significant Steps in Smart Grid Development (Department of Commerce)

Smart Grid (National Institute of Standards and Technology)