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Illinois Institute of Technology

Smart Grid Education and Workforce Training Center

Abstract

Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) is using their established power engineering education training center to provide Smart Grid education and training to diverse groups, such as power industry employees, union workers, college and high school students, high school teachers, Veterans, lawyers, entrepreneurs, and information technology professionals. IIT’s Smart Grid Education and Workforce Training Center is a collaborative effort of 100 participating members including three domestic and five international universities, 49 community colleges, high schools, six city and government organizations, eight labor unions and councils, one national laboratory, six power transmission and distribution systems operators, five professional training organizations, 17 Smart Grid manufacturers and software companies, and 13 energy system consulting services. Educational options include university-level four-year degree programs, graduate programs, certificate programs, Associate degree programs, short courses and workshops. The Center is equipped with state-of-the-art software, including Areva T&D’s Dispatcher Training System and Distribution Management System, and OSIsoft’s PI System power grid monitoring and control software. IIT’s campus is home to the first-of-its kind Perfect Power microgrid – Smart Grid deployment that provides perfect reliability, enhanced efficiency, and energy sustainability. IIT’s facility is located near one of the nation’s largest utilities, Exelon/ComEd, who will use the Center to upgrade employee skills and train new workers. IIT and its partners plan to grow the program through the use of web-enabled courses and a fee-based membership program.

Contact Information

Deborah Buterbaugh
Project Manager
National Energy Technology Laboratory
3610 Collins Ferry Road
Morgantown, WV 26507-0880
304-285-4164
deborah.buterbaugh@netl.doe.gov

Mohammad Shahidehpour
Illinois Institute of Technology
3301 S. Dearborn Street
Chicago, IL 60616-3793
312-567-5737
ms@iit.edu

At-A-Glance
Recipient: Illinois Institute of Technolog
HQ State: Illinois
NERC Region:
Total Budget: $12,620,153
Federal Share: $4,999,999
 
Funding Program:
Project Type:
 
Equipment:
Targeted Benefits:
  • Job creation and preservation
  • Workforce trained to meet the global challenges in energy independence, clean environment, and sustainable energy
  • Greater capability to manufacture new electrical equipment for Smart Grid implementation
  • Enhanced research and development
  • Smart Grid growth
  • Increased utility investment in the electric power sector
 

The Department of Energy's Office of Electricity (OE) recognizes that our nation's sustained economic prosperity, quality of life, and global competitiveness depends on an abundance of secure, reliable, and affordable energy resources. OE leads the Department of Energy's efforts to ensure a resilient, and flexible electricity system in the United States. Learn more about OE >>

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