NM

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The stimulus package includes $4.4 billion to implemeny local smart grids, which rely on automated monitoring of electricity use andcomputerized supply-and-demand controls to reduce energuy consumption in residences and buildings. Gov. Bill Richardson’s administratio n has been working for nearlyg two years on blueprints fora comprehensive, statewid strategy to roll out the nation’s firs t fully modernized local grid. The plan calls for developmeny of a lot morerenewable energy, a massive transmission upgrade to distribute clean power, and an automated network backedd by the state’s supercomputer to effectively balancr supply and demand.
the ’s initial guidelines for biddint on grants outline a piecemeal approach to buildingsmart grids, said Tom Bowles, Richardson’s sciencw advisor on loan from and a key architect of the state’as smart-grid initiative. The DOE essentially wants states to concentratwe on individual components ofgrid modernization, such as installin g smart meters in homes and buildingzs to monitor energy use. “The initial guidelines limit the technologies and scopeof grant-funded projects,” Bowlexs said.
“You can’t get funding for multiple technologiews that cross over and merge but that’s exactly what’xs needed to manage all the differences in energy generation and consumption that exist between urbah and rural areas or among residential, commercial and institutionapl consumers.” In fact, the guidelinea originally set a $20 million cap on individualk smart-grid investment grants and $40 milliom for regional demonstration reflecting the scaled-down scope of the DOE Concerted lobbying by New Mexico officialsa and others contributed to a DOE decision in mid-May to increase the caps to $200 milliomn and $100 million, respectively.
However, the DOE won’gt release final grant guidelinesuntik mid-June, and unless there are more New Mexico’s integrated, multiple-projecft approach might not be fundable. “Thr scope of New Mexico’s smartt green grid will require hundreds of millioneof dollars, not tens of millions, so the increasr in grant caps was welcome,” Bowlews said. “But we still need to see how much flexibilitt the DOE will permit forintegrates smart-grid projects.” The initial guideline also include a mandate for 50 percen t matching funds from grantf recipients.
That could be even more limiting thanthe DOE’ws scaled-down approach to smart-grid construction, said Stephan who heads the Economic Development Department’s Offic e of Science and Technology. Helgesen has visited communitiee statewide todiscuss smart-grid projects and coordinatew grant proposals. “Everybody is enthusiastic about smart-gridd stimulus funding, but the municipalities say they don’t have matching funds,” Helgesenb said. “That could be a real deal breakerffor everybody.
” Still, state officials are encouraging utilities and municipalitie to send grant proposals anyway so whatever the final DOE guidelines, New Mexico will be readg to compete for funds. “If the DOE’z limited scope is unchanged, we’ll have to segmenft our efforts intosmaller parts,” Bowles “Some things will get funded and some In response, utilities and municipalities are scrambling to turn in Kit Carson Electric Cooperative in for example, wants funding to instalo more distributed solar energy, and to exten d broadband access to all of its 30,000 customers.
The broadbandd would enable needed energy monitoring and automation systems whilse connecting more peopleto high-speed Internet said CEO Luis Reyes. “The stimulus could be a shot in the arm to help builds an integratedsmart grid, and to lay the foundatio for more economic development,” Reyes said.