Smart grid project funds approved

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The Pacific Northwest Smart Grid Demonstration Project took a step forward last week when the U.S. Department of Energy authorized the funds for its half of the $178 million project to start flowing — resulting in as many as 1,500 new jobs in the region.

The project, which spans five Northwestern states and more than 60,000 power customers, is intended to implement and test the features of a smarter grid such as two-way communications, smarter thermostats and more efficient energy storage.

The DOE is using stimulus funds to cover its half of the project's tab. The other half of the costs will be shared among the project's participants — the Bonneville Power Administration, a list of 11 utilities that includes Portland General Electric, and five technology firms. Battelle, which operates the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory for the DOE, will manage the project.

PNNL will serve as the center for data analysis during the project tapping the real-time data analysis capabilities of its Electricity Infrastructure Operation Center.

In a press release, Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., applauded the funding release and the jobs it will create.

"This project will create hundreds of jobs in the near term and position Washington state to be a leader in the growing clean energy economy," she said.

The Pacific Northwest Smart Grid Demonstration Project is one of 16 regional projects being funded by the DOE.