While utilities of all sizes anxiously await the Department of Energy's announcements of who will receive stimulus funds for smart grid related investments, a lot of uncertainty is bubbling...
Utilities that do get their grants approved are sure to put many halted smart grid initiatives back on the fast track, but what about the utilities that don't make the cut? Will they continue to limit investments until the government and/or investment community finds more reasons to contribute to the modernization of the grid, or is there a Plan B?
One important condition in the distribution of stimulus funds under the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is that utilities must match the funding dollar for dollar. In other words, if a utility receives $35 million of stimulus cash, the utility must match the investment with its own $35 million for a total $70 million investment.
Whatever happens, we can expect to see many exciting developments in key areas around the country, and more refined standards, best practices, and case studies from a fairly well-aligned group of stakeholders.
Stay tuned...
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