WASHINGTON, April 23 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Energy will invest $50 million in electricity grid efficiency.
Over five years, the department will give funding to nine demonstration projects aimed at increasing the efficiency of the nation's electricity grid, said Kevin Kolevar, assistant secretary of energy for electricity delivery and energy reliability.
The Renewable and Distributed Systems Integration technologies demonstrated in the nine projects aim to reduce peak load electricity demand by at least 15 percent. Kolevar said the projects and funding are part of the Bush administration's efforts to enhance the efficiency and reliability of our nation's energy infrastructure.
"Cutting-edge technologies that enhance the efficiency and dependability of the nation's electricity grid are critical to … ensuring an affordable and reliable supply of electricity to the American people," Kolevar said.
The projects were selected in response to the department's Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability April 2007 Funding Opportunity Announcement seeking applications for research and development activities.
Some of the projects are being done by Allegheny Power, Chevron Energy Solutions, the City of Fort Collins, Consolidated Edison Co. of New York Inc., San Diego Gas and Electric, the University of Hawaii and the University of Nevada.
