Washington, D.C. -- Representative Neil Abercrombie announced today that the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute at the University of Hawaii-Manoa has been selected to receive one of eight national grants from the U.S. Department of Energy to advance Smart Grid demonstration projects.

Smart grid refers to electrical grids which allow for the more efficient delivery of electric power to consumers through the use of computers and other technology to manage electrical loads. Smart grids try to avoid huge usage peaks in power usage, and allow electrical power generated from solar, wind and other renewable sources into the system.

“I’m pleased that the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute is one of the research leaders selected to help demonstrate and promote the use of smart grid technology,” said Rep. Abercrombie. “A mature smart grid in our state, integrating power from wind farms, solar collectors and the other sources into the network that distributes electricity to our homes and offices, is fundamental to Hawaii’s ability to achieve energy independence.”

HNEI will receive the $5,548,585 federal grant to develop a “dispatchable distribution feeder for peak load reduction and wind farming.” The energy grants are funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the economic stimulus legislation passed by Congress in February.

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