When a vice president at Cisco Network Systems makes a daring
claim about the Smart Grid, people notice: "Our expectation
is that this network will be 100 or 1,000 times larger than the
Internet. If you think about it, some homes have Internet access,
but some don't. Everyone has electricity access--all of those homes
could potentially be connected."
A bold prediction, indeed. Yet whether or not it reaches that level
of magnitude, the Smart Grid is a high priority for Cisco and other
network equipment providers.
If you're new to the term Smart Grid, you're not alone. A
year ago, few people ever heard the phrase. [Wikipedia defines
the Smart Grid as the delivery of electricity from suppliers to
consumers using digital technology to save energy, reduce cost and
increase reliability and transparency. This month's ISTC Catalyst
offers several overviews and perspectives of the Smart Grid.]
Today, thanks in large part to the imminent infusion of $4.5
billion in federal stimulus funds, discussions about the Smart Grid
are becoming commonplace.
From Massachusetts to Maui, communities are commencing Smart Grid
projects and vying for federal grants. Yet Illinois is more
than merely one of many "bidders." Illinois enjoys a unique
combination of legacy research and development breakthroughs in
power and electricity; present-day expertise in research and
commercial applications of power generation, storage and
distribution; current collaborations between private companies,
utilities and local governments (e.g., Oak Brook, Naperville)
regarding Smart Grid strategies and tools; and, most important,
world-class public-private research and development
partnerships.
Why will Illinois be a major contributor to the inevitable
development of the nation's Smart Grid?
First, our Midwest location makes Illinois uniquely suited to help
develop the Smart Grid. As with the creation our nation's network
of 19th Century rail lines, thousands of 20th Century power lines
crisscross our state to deliver electricity to other regions of the
country. The 21st Century upgrade - the Smart Grid - must
capitalize on this existing infrastructure.
Second, a key objective for the Smart Grid is to incorporate,
efficiently and effectively, alternative energy sources into the
electric grid. While other states may enjoy more sunshine than
Illinois, the prevalence of our prairie breezes make us a certain
and predictable supplier of wind-generated electric power.
Third, and perhaps most important, Illinois' world-class research
institutions, utilities, private companies, and local and state
governments have formed public-private partnerships that will yield
technological breakthroughs to turn the Smart Grid into a reality,
regardless of its size in comparison to the Internet. In just a few
weeks, one such partnership, the Illinois Statewide Smart Grid
Collaborative, will learn if its $120 million dollar project will
receive federal financing. ComEd and Ameren also await
decisions on their requests for Smart Grid projects.
The Illinois Science & Technology Coalition will be among the
voices that keep you informed of these U.S. Department of Energy
decisions. Until then, we hope you watch, listen and read the
elements of this month's ISTC Catalyst. We are certain that you
will be impressed with our state's breadth and depth of expertise,
and passion, that will be applied to the development of our
nation's Smart Grid.
Matthew Summy, President & CEO
Illinois Science & Technology Coalition
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