By Juliana KennyTMCnet Web Editor
In a recent development from GE, a new Smart Grid Technology Center of Excellence will be open for school visits in October near the company’s headquarters in Marietta, Cobb County, Georgia. GE is investing $15 million dollars into the giant interactive floor and “will create 400 jobs over the next three years,” according to a release from the state’s Office of Communications.Story continues below ↓ As a simultaneous tourist attraction and legitimate energy operations center for GE, the Smart Grid Technology Center will educate visitors as to the capacities and beneficial effects of Smart Grid technology as well as function as GE’s Digital Energy Unit world headquarters. Local news reports that job creation is already underway as “155 employees have been hired, including 115 engineers.” Developing hundreds of new jobs, this investment will contribute to the developing ‘green collar job’ sector. The 10,000 square foot floor will host engineers and students alike as visitors are made privy to the advantages of new ‘green technology’ and the benefits of Smart Grid technology.This enormous project is part of a larger project empowered by GE called gridSMART which promotes better and more widespread general awareness about energy usage and energy efficiency. In an educational effort, gridSMART demonstrates Smart Grid developments and how they aid in lowering cost and energy expenditure. The floor plan for Georgia’s Smart Grid Technology Center of Excellence incorporates this educational goal with interactive displays, videos, and demonstrations focused on the distribution of electrical energy across a grid. As part of a collaborative effort with Georgia Tech, GE will also use the Smart Grid Technology Center to develop new technologies to improve energy-saving techniques, and provide more cost effective distribution using renewable energy resources.In a recent industry blog post, Eric Gebhardt, general manager of engineering for GE Energy Services, said, “somewhere between 200 million and 300 million megawatt hours of electricity are lost just through heating of the lines and various things. By operating the grid more efficiently, you can help save a lot of that energy and bring down the overall cost.” Ultimately, through projects like gridSMART and the new Smart Grid Technology Center, the power grid’s reliability will be more solidly established which will enable the more intense integration of renewable energy sources like solar and wind.
Juliana Kenny is a TMCnet reporter and editor. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.
Edited by Juliana Kenny
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