July 21, 2010
BOMA/Chicago to Lead Commercial Smart Grid Pilot Program through Illinois-Korea Collaboration
BOMA/Chicago today signed an historic Memorandum of Understanding to lead a Chicago-based commercial office building smart grid pilot program as part of the Korea-Illinois Smart Grid Collaboration. This venture will be funded by the Korea Smart Grid Association and two of Korea’s largest energy and technology companies, KT Corporation and LG Electronics.
BOMA/Chicago President Maureen Ehrenberg represented us at a signing ceremony with the head of the Korean Smart Grid Association, senior officials from KT Corporation and LG Electronics, and the heads of the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition and the Citizens Utility Board. The ceremony was presided over by the Korean Minister of Knowledge Economy, Kyung Hwan Choi, and the Chairman of the Illinois Commerce Commission, Manny Flores. Letters of intent were also delivered to Maureen by two Korean investor banks, Korea Development Bank and Kookmin Bank.
This program will demonstrate how smart grid technology and demand response strategies can significantly lower energy costs, monetize those savings, and reduce carbon emissions at commercial buildings in Chicago. The Korea Smart Grid Association chose Chicago and BOMA/Chicago in particular as the launch pad for this innovative program because of our progressive smart grid strategy and reputation as a leader in the areas of sustainability and green practices.
BOMA/Chicago is partnering with the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition and the Citizens Utility Board to develop and launch the commercial portion of the smart grid pilot program at 6 to 14 office and large residential buildings. BOMA/Chicago Building Members that take part in the commercial building pilot program will be empowered to:
- Access and analyze their energy usage data, empowering them to adjust energy consumption strategies accordingly;
- Decrease overall energy consumption and cost; and
- Effectively participate in demand response programs that pay them for their curtailment efforts.
While the initial commercial office building pilot program will include a very limited number of BOMA/Chicago Building Members, the goal is to expand the size and scope of the program in the future. The organizational, structural and retrofit requirements of the expanded smart grid will create opportunities for both Building Members and Affiliate Members to participate in and reap benefits from the program.
We will keep you informed as specific plans for design and funding of this exciting new program are developed. Please watch our newsletter and web site postings for new details.
We look forward to sharing further news of this historic endeavor with you!
See the following for additional information: