Boeing, Edison awarded part of $620 million to build smart grid

Boeing and Edison International were among the companies that won part of $620 million in funding from the U.S. Energy Department for technologies to build a more efficient and resilient power grid. The awards, part of the $787 billion economic stimulus package approved in February, were revealed the other day in an e-mailed release from the department. American Electric Power Co. and Battelle Memorial Institute also received awards.

“These demonstration projects will further our knowledge and understanding of what works best and delivers the best results for the smart grid, setting the course for a modern grid that is critical to achieving our energy goals,” Energy secretary Steven Chu said in the statement.

Tina Davis Seeley writes that the awards involve projects that integrate technology allowing different parts of the grid to monitor and relay information about power flows or control energy use in consumer homes. Energy storage projects also received some funding.

Rosemead, California-based Edison International, owner of the state’s largest electric utility, will receive $65 million for two projects. utility companies.

Chicago-based Boeing won $8.6 million for a project to “demonstrate an advanced smart-grid software technology with military-grade cybersecurity for improving regional transmission system planning and operation,” the Energy Department said today in a statement.

American Electric, based in Columbus, Ohio, won $75 million for a project intended to improve electricity reliability and efficiency, the department said.

Battelle Memorial Institute, a non-profit organization that manages some of the U.S. national laboratories, won the largest single award, with $89 million for a project to demonstrate smart-grid technologies across five states in the Pacific Northwest. Battelle is also based in Columbus.