ANNAPOLIS (Sept. 29, 2008)—The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) was awarded a $461,793 competitive grant from the Department of Energy to develop the Maryland Utility-Scale Clean Energy Capacity Project. This grant will enable MEA to determine the benefits of a Smart Grid system for Maryland. MEA’s grant partners include Energetics Incorporated, the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE), and R.W. Beck, Inc.
A Smart Grid system adds intelligent, two-way communication to power lines to allow consumers to better manage their electricity consumption in their home. Smart meters, a part of the Smart Grid, would give consumers the information needed to lower their electric bills by choosing to run the dishwasher or clothes dryer when energy is least expensive. Pilot programs have shown that this can reduce consumers’ bills by 15%.
“We must continue to fight every fight when it comes to addressing our State’s energy challenges,” remarked Governor Martin O’Malley. “This grant will accelerate the research and development of Smart Grid, Smart Meters and Smart Pricing, which will ultimately empower consumers to reduce their consumption and their bills.”
This grant allows MEA to identify Smart Grid best practices and issues from around the country as Maryland embarks on the implementation of EmPOWER Maryland, the nation’s most ambitious energy efficiency goal of saving 15% per capita electricity consumption by 2015.
“With a national grant of this size, Maryland is now at the forefront of 21st century energy technology and policy development,” noted Director Malcolm Woolf. “We have been recognized as a leader in clean energy and energy efficiency, and are committed to using this project as a spring board to make it easier for consumers to reduce their electricity bills.”
Source: Maryland Energy Administration