Smart Grid State
Illinois was cited for its collaborative approach to the Smart Grid, which involves and engages communities across the state. Through these activities, Illinois has received international recognition as an ideal partner for smart grid development.
International collaboration on smart grid tested solutions in Illinois is expected to stimulate economic development, reduce energy costs, improve electric grid reliability, and improve environmental quality.
South Korea has been involved in an International Collaboration Program to Strengthen Planning, Analysis, and Implementation of Distributed Energy Resources (ICP-DER) since October of 2008. The ICP-DER is organized by Adica and includes Argonne National Laboratory, the University of Chicago, and employees of the Citizens Utility Board. Through this project Korean public and private institutions have begun to collaborate with the US Department of Energy, FERC, the GridWise Alliance, and PJM interconnection; and identified additional opportunities for collaboration in Illinois.
International partners are attracted to the wide array of smart grid and renewable energy projects in Illinois and to the state’s advanced research capabilities at national labs and universities. They want to test and develop emerging technologies by installing and demonstrating them in a part of the world that has a lucrative market conducive for smart grid implementation.
Through the Smart Grid State international collaborative, Illinois benefits from enhanced technology and substantial foreign investment, which will help to bring smart grid benefits to consumers.
About Smart Grid Network™
Smart Grid Network™ is an on-line social network accessible at SmartGrid.com that empowers people around the world to share their views on how a smart grid can contribute to sustainable development and connects interested consumers with smart grid solution providers.