Smart grid could be early winner in U.S. stimulus package

[Fledermaus]

Democrats from the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday unveiled an $825 billion plan to stimulate the American economy, including $54 billion for renewable energy, energy efficiency and smart grid projects.

Smart grid projects pulled one of the biggest chunks of the cash, with $11 billion being proposed. The numbers are far from final as the money must be approved by the U.S. Senate and President-elect Barack Obama, but it indicates that tides could be turning for one of the lesser-known sectors of cleantech...

“One things that got smart grid in the stimulus package is that these are shovel-ready projects. The technology is available and people are ready to go,” he said. “There’s so much momentum around smart grid right now that I hope the stimulus spending happens in a way to give utilities a very quick turnaround on whatever the process is.”

The House version of the proposal calls for the money to be distributed as grants to utilities, but Jung warned such a process could slow the spending by about six months. He encouraged lawmakers to come up with standard requirements so that utilities could start projects and file for reimbursement.

http://www.cleantech.com/news/4066/smart-grid-could-be-early-winner-us-stimulus-package

[FrenchieCat]

1. I feel about as perfect as I have felt in 8 years!

That's pretty good! :)

[Warren Stupidity]

2. That would be damn good.

Actual change, actual progress.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

3. Something a smartgrid would have is distributed power

generation... I believe Conn. did something like this a few years back...


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* Reliable: achieves availability rating exceeding 96%, significantly higher than other alternative energy technologies
* Economical: produces up to six times more electrical power than other forms of distributed generation with the same fuel input and can operate at up to 80% efficiency when used in Combined Heat and Power (CHP) applications
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[Frustratedlady]

4. How much did that electrical brownout/blackout cost?

How much did it cost in shutdowns, repair crews, material, etc.?

[BR_Parkway]

5. Can we bury it as well? Not only are overhead lines ugly, but they get

torn down in so many ice storms, tornadoes and such. Just bury it the first time instead of paying to restring lines that have been knocked down for the 4th and 5th time

[Javaman]

6. Unless the grid is updated and fixed, nothing else can happen. great first step! nt