Smart grid project features solar energy

From coolerplanet.com

A smart grid project getting underway in New York City will provide more information about how solar energy technology can be incorporated into existing power grids.

This week, Con Edison announced an 18-month smart grid pilot program that will take place in Queens. Residents will receive smart meters that will help them monitor home energy usage to better maximize efficiency and to help control costs.

However, the plan also features a 100-kilowatt solar roof array at a local community college that will be used to improve the integration of solar energy into the power grid of a densely populated area. The distributed solar energy project involves a partnership between Con Edison and the City University of New York.

“With this ‘smart grid’ agreement, CUNY is partnering with Con Edison to create a roadmap for New York and an example for the nation as we move toward energy independence. The University’s faculty and researchers will continue to work closely with Con Edison to identify new solar and renewable energy opportunities,” said university chancellor Matthew Goldstein.

While solar energy has been growing steadily in popularity, the electrical grid system is not always prepared to handle new sources of power. This is particularly the case for large utility-scale projects that tend to be located far from population centers.