Smart grids have the potential to revolutionize and revitalize energy supplies in rural communities, according to Penn State researchers.
Smart grids have the potential to revolutionize and revitalize energy supplies in rural communities, according to Penn State researchers. The power systems can incorporate sustainable energy systems like wind power, adjust to demands on the fly and evolve to incorporate emerging technologies such as electric vehicle charging stations, but companies may be hesitant to implement them due to potential cost or unknown ramifications. With the goal of alleviating those uncertainties, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has provided a multi-state collaboration with $10 million to develop and deploy services that enable electric utility companies and energy tech startups to model and test different scenarios before implementation.
Tennessee Tech University is leading the three-year project across Appalachia, with partners in Ohio, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Tennessee. Multiple partners and industry stakeholders are matching the ARC grant, resulting in more than $20 million in total funding for the project. ARC is a federal-state partnership that works to develop sustainable economic opportunities in the region. The Penn State team, with $750,000 from the ARC grant and additional support from the University, will focus on bolstering the resilience of Tri-County Rural Electric Cooperative Inc.’s power grid, which provides electricity to almost 20,000 people across 5,000 square miles, including in Tioga, Potter, Bradford, Lycoming, McKean, Cameron and Clinton counties.
Read more at: Penn State
