National Grid Unveils Plan For Sustainability Hub
National Grid on Thursday introduced plans for the future home of its "sustainability hub," which it said is an integral part of the utility's smart grid pilot program in Worcester.
The 2,200-square-foot, ground-level facility will be located in a storefront in Worcester's Main South neighborhood, at 912 Main St. Clark University has donated the space.
The hub, which is scheduled to open in the fall, is centrally located within the utility's smart grid pilot area and will provide customers and others with interactive education about energy efficiency and emerging technologies, according to a statement from National Grid.
The smart grid pilot began last year. It goal is to provide up to 15,000 customers who choose to participate with more control over their energy use through advanced technology. That, in turn, National Grid said, can improve service reliability and response to power outages, along with helping customers save money.
"This facility will be the first of its kind in the state and represents a larger effort by National Grid to modernize its grid with the smart grid pilot program in Worcester," Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Richard Sullivan said in a statement distributed by National Grid. "I want to applaud all who are participating in this initiative, including the many community partners and vendors that are intent on making this important pilot work for the people of Worcester."
"The centerpiece of our Smart Energy Solutions Program is to take a listen, test and learn approach while delivering substantive benefits to customers," said Marcy Reed, president, National Grid in Massachusetts.
The site will include the following features:
- Interactive exhibits and educational materials to demonstrate the advanced technology offered in the program that will help customers maximize energy savings;
- Demonstrations of energy efficiency treatments such as windows, spray-in insulation and tankless water heaters; and
- An electric vehicle charging station, which will be installed just outside the site, and will be the first street-side electric vehicle charging station to be installed in Worcester.
Local university student ambassadors from Clark, Holy Cross and Worcester Polytechnic Institute will help staff the Hub, creating cooperative learning opportunities for both local customers and students. Students also will participate in various internship opportunities under the pilot.
A-Z Corp. of Westborough will design and build the site, while the Worcester Business Development Corp. is coordinating construction to fast-track it, and is helping identify resources that can donate materials, appliances and services, National Grid said.
Read more
National Grid Eyeing New Tower Site
WBJ Web Partners
Most Recent
Most Recent
0 Comments