2009 Smart Grid Technology Conference

The Smart Grid is an intelligent, auto-balancing and self-monitoring system. Accepting power from any source — notably wind, solar and storage — it delivers energy to consumers with minimal human intervention using advanced, information-based technologies.

Held on April 14, 2009, the exclusive Smart Grid Technology conference explored how to best leverage the unique technologies and development capabilities available in Massachusetts, as well as identify new business opportunities in the Merrimack Valley and other regions.

Download conference material

Additonal Information:

Boston Blobe
Plus, read the "Smart Grid" article featured in the Boston Globe

How Much Money is Available?
Foley Hoag discusses federal Stimulus Bill funding for the Smart Grid

“The ARRA provides targeted support for smart grid development, as well as incentives of broader application that will likely be valuable for businesses working in, or entering, the energy space. Congress appropriated $4.5 billion to the Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability in the Department of Energy ("DOE") for spending on grid modernization, demand responsive equipment, energy storage research, development, demonstration and deployment and, most significantly for smart grid businesses, implementation of smart grid programs created under EISA.

“Of the $4.5 billion in funding, $100 million will go towards workforce training activities, $80 million will be used to perform a resource assessment and determine future demand and transmission needs, and $10 million is appropriated for the Smart Grid Interoperability Framework. The balance of the funds are unrestricted by the bill and will be spent at the discretion of the DOE.

“Smart grid technologies focused on modernization of the transmission infrastructure may also be able to take advantage of another $6 billion that Congress appropriated for the DOE's Innovative Loan Guarantee Program. Such projects may be ideally positioned to receive loan guarantees because of the program's preference for transmission projects that promote system reliability and provide environmental benefits.

“In addition to appropriations targeted at developing a smarter electric grid, the ARRA includes other energy incentives that may create new business opportunities in smart grid technology. For example, they may be eligible to apply for a new tax benefit called the Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Credit, which provides a 30% tax credit for the costs of establishing, expanding, or re-equipping certain eligible manufacturing facilities. Eligible manufacturing facilities include those that produce electric grids to support the transmission and storage of energy from intermittent renewable resources. “

More – click here for the complete Foley Hoag article.

Panel presentations and information provided by:
MERRIMACK VALLEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, INC.
Heritage Place - 439 South Union Street • Lawrence, MA • 01843-2800
Tel: (978) 975-8787 • Fax: (978) 975-8811
≠≠