The University of Washington campus will be part of a regional test of smart grids, electrical transmission systems that incorporate information technology and allow two-way communication between energy providers and energy users. A regional iniatiative announced today will include a demonstration on the UW campus in Seattle that includes deploying smart-grid technology in two residence halls as well as other campus buildings. UW engineers will be investigating issues of user interface and cyber-security. 

The UW test bed is part of the $178 million Pacific Northwest Smart Grid Demonstration Project, funded by the Department of Energy and managed by Battelle in Richland, Wash. The Pacific Northwest project was the largest of 16 smart grid demonstration projects announced today by the Energy Department. The government said its overall goal in revamping the electrical grid is to reduce energy costs for consumers, make the electrical grid stronger and more reliable, and help homes and businesses access clean, low-cost renewable energy sources.

In collaboration with Seattle City Light and McKinstry Energy Services of Seattle, the UW will install meters and equipment to measure energy consumption at two residence halls and two academic or research buildings. The $9.6 million project also will allow the UW to standardize and modernize the campus building energy management infrastructure by upgrading electrical building meters to smart meters in as many as 200 buildings. These building systems will be tied together to provide a common platform for managing energy consumption.

The university will be installing software that will test the feasibility of integrating management of the university's central boilers, chillers and electrical generators into a campus-wide smart grid metering network.

"This will be a wonderful test vehicle for our researchers to investigate the deployment of smart-grid technologies," said Matthew O'Donnell, dean of the UW's College of Engineering. "Having users on campus will allow us to do rapid-cycle testing of important concepts related to user interface and cyber-security. UW students will be actively involved in the project, testing some of the devices and their ability to help the university conserve energy."

"For the first time, there will be fuel gauges on energy consumption in residence halls, giving students some control over that consumption," he added. 

The UW and other test sites will install equipment and technology in 2010 and 2011. The UW monitoring is expected to be complete by early 2014.

"This is an exceptional opportunity for our faculty and students to engage smart grid technology through research and practical application," said UW President Mark Emmert. "It's yet another instance of the university being among the nation's leaders in our environmental stewardship and sustainability efforts. It is right up our alley."

The Department of Energy, through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, has awarded $3.4 billion in grants to help fund the largest single energy grid modernization in U.S. history.

###

Battelle's press release on the Pacific Northwest Smart Grid Demonstration Project is here.

Seattle City Light's press release on the campus deployment is here.