FAYETTEVILLE, Ark., July 30 (UPI) -- Electrical engineering researchers at two universities will receive stimulus funds to help modernize the U.S. power grid, the National Science Foundation said.
The awards to the University of Arkansas and the University of South Carolina will be used to establish an NSF center of excellence, the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville said Thursday in a news release.
The new center will focus on grid-connected, advanced-power electronic systems and will be operated jointly by researchers from both universities, as well as reinforce grid-related research of Arkansas's existing National Center for Reliable Electric Power Transmission.
"These funds will help us develop the knowledge, tools, hardware, software and personnel to flood the 21st century power grid with power electronics," said Alan Mantooth, University of Arkansas professor of electrical engineering and executive director of the two centers.
The award, funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, becomes effective Sept. 1 and lasts for five years and is renewable for another five years. The NSF will provide $113,000 to the University of Arkansas as lead institution and $63,000 to the University of South Carolina.
The centers also will receive funds from private companies.
