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New Projects Reflect Battelle Role in Smart Grid Future
Key Innovative Smart Grid Projects to Chart the Course to the Electric Systems of the Future
| Source: Battelle
COLUMBUS, OH--(Marketwire - January 6, 2010) - Battelle's energy technology commercial
solutions business announced today that it is working with 14 of the
nation's leading electric utilities and power systems suppliers to
demonstrate the increased efficiency and reliability of electric power
distribution through the application of intelligent systems to the power grid.
Battelle's energy technology experts will deploy the organization's
proprietary smart grid technology suite
in two projects to demonstrate the benefits of smart grid technology to the
public. The smart grid describes a new model of delivering electricity
from suppliers to consumers using two-way digital technology to ensure the
efficient alignment of energy resources with consumption on a real time
basis -- saving energy, reducing cost, and increasing reliability and
transparency.
The demonstrations will have an impact not only on utilities, their
customers and America's electrical grid, but the economy. The total
funding for both projects is $328 million and as many as 2,000 jobs will be
created in the Pacific Northwest and Columbus.
-- Battelle's energy technology team will lead a group of Pacific Northwest
utilities that includes the Bonneville
Power Administration as well as energy providers, utilities, vendors,
and research organizations. The $178 million project will provide for
integrated management of the existing electric power supply infrastructure
via an array of smart grid technologies with 13 individual utilities
serving some 60,000 metered customers in Idaho, Montana, Oregon,
Washington, and Wyoming. The study will test new combinations of devices,
software, and advanced analytical tools that enhance the power grid's
reliability and performance. At its peak, the project could create about
1,500 jobs in manufacturing, installation, and operation of smart grid
equipment, telecommunications networks, software, and controls.
-- Battelle's energy technology team is collaborating with American Electric Power, General Electric and several other companies
on the Ohio gridSMART(SM) project. It will build upon the installation of
advanced electricity meters at 110,000 homes in the greater Columbus area
to implement consumer responsive real time energy management. The $150
million project is designed to provide greater energy control to customers
through enhanced usage information and improve electricity distribution
efficiency and reliability. The project will cut energy consumption and
emissions, while at the same time creating at least 500 jobs over a
three-year period.
"These initiatives are designed to demonstrate the many benefits of smart
grid technology," said Don McConnell, President of Battelle Energy
Technology. "It will increase the reliability of service, decrease
downtime for consumers, and allow customers to gain better control of their
monthly electric bills. Equally important, it will enable more reliable
power and reduce the impact of weather-caused outages. Ultimately, a smart
grid will reduce the impact on the environment because we'll be using fewer
resources -- we can use the power we already have in a smarter, safer and
more secure way."
In Columbus, Battelle's energy technology team will deliver a specifically
tailored, integrated demand management solution. Battelle's solution is
reliable and scalable to all of AEP-Ohio's operating territory and other
AEP distribution companies in the region, making Battelle's solution a
forerunner to the delivery of such solutions to the electric utility
marketplace.
Battelle's energy technology business translates Battelle's basic and
applied energy R&D base into innovative commercial solutions, products, and
services. Including the operations of national laboratories, Battelle
oversees nearly $900 million annually in energy-related research
contributing to advances in climate change solutions, bio-energy, fuel
cells, nuclear power, and electric power infrastructure.
Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Battelle oversees 20,400 employees in more
than 130 locations worldwide, including seven national laboratories which
Battelle manages or co-manages for the U.S. Department of Energy and the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security and two international laboratories --
a nuclear energy lab in the United Kingdom and a renewable energy lab in
Malaysia.
As the world's leading, independent research and development organization,
Battelle provides innovative solutions to the world's most pressing needs
through its four global businesses: Laboratory Management, National
Security, Energy Technology, and Health and Life Sciences. It advances
scientific discovery and application by conducting $5.2 billion in global
R&D annually through contract research, laboratory management and
technology commercialization. Battelle also is one of the nation's leading
charitable trusts focusing on societal and economic impact and actively
supporting and promoting science and math education.