US Energy Dept. awards $89 million to install framework for ’smart’ Northwest power grid

US Energy Dept. awards $89M to study NW power grid

RICHLAND, Wash. — The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded nearly $89 million to Battelle Memorial Institute in Richland, Wash., to study ways to improve the electricity grid in the Pacific Northwest.

The stimulus grant announced Tuesday will be used to install a “smart grid” framework that uses computers and communication technology to optimize how electricity is generated, transmitted, distributed and used. The goal is to make the system more efficient and lower power costs.

The money is part of $620 million from the federal recovery act for power technology demonstration projects around the country.