Smart Grid State

Which states are leading the way in U.S. smart grid deployment? SmartGridObserver.com presents a list of the top ten smart grid states for 2009, as measured by their progress in policy, planning and implementation, including:
Tier 1 Smart Grid States – California and Texas
Tier 2 Smart Grid States – Florida, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia
Tier 3 Smart Grid States – Colorado, Connecticut and New Jersey

Illinois was cited as a 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.

In December 2009, the government of South Korea approached Illinois Governor Quinn with a proposed Smart Grid Illinois initiative to collaborate on the development and deployment of smart grid and green technology in Illinois.  Collaboration on Smart Grid Illinois is expected to stimulate economic development, reduce energy costs, improve electric grid reliability, and improve environmental quality.

The Koreans 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 Illinois collaboration with Korea, Illinois looks to benefit from enhanced technology and substantial foreign investment, which will help to bring smart grid benefits to consumers.

In 2010, a report by Greentech Media Research selected the top 10 states that are “laying the groundwork for market development.” These states, with corresponding amounts of stimulus they are receiving, are:
• California ($303.4 million)
• Colorado ($24.1 million)
• Florida ($467.2 million)
• Massachusetts ($28.29 million)
• New Jersey ($212.4 million)
• New York ($232.2 million)
• North Carolina ($403.5 million)
• Ohio ($142.4 million)
• Pennsylvania ($466.3 million)

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