Smart Grid Initiative Takes First Step Forward

A downtown Chicago smart grid program that would provide real-time energy usage data to BOMA/Chicago Building members took a major step forward with the recent signing of a contract between the BOMA Chicago Energy Center LLC, an affiliate of BOMA/Chicago, and Automated Logic Corporation (ALC).

The agreement was endorsed by the BOMA/Chicago Board of Directors and finalized February 21. ALC, a BOMA/Chicago Affiliate member, will serve as technology partner on the new Smart Grid Initiative.  

"This is the first program of its kind anywhere,"said Michael Cornicelli, BOMA/Chicago Executive Vice President. "We will be learning and evaluating the program as participating buildings come on line, and we have high hopes for its potential."

Pilot Program Under Development  

Up to 40 BOMA/Chicago member buildings will be able to participate in the pilot program that starts later this year. To implement the program, advanced meters will be installed in all participating buildings to record electricity usage in one-second intervals. ALC technicians from its Chicago office will install local servers that will feed each building's usage data to a central server at the Energy Center's network operation center.  

Program Benefits to Buildings 

The goal is to give buildings granular, real-time energy usage data that will better enable them to implement energy efficiency measures and reduce energy and operational costs.The program will also compile and aggregate energy usage data through a network operating center that will enable participation in demand response programs that offer compensation for curtailing electricity usage when demand on the grid is high. This would in effect create a "virtual green generator." 

How Building Members Can Participate

Building members interested in participating in the pilot program should contact: Ron Tabaczynski, BOMA/Chicago Director of Government Affairs at 312-870-9611.