This federal award totals $905,348. The university will receive $749,992 from DOE, along with $83,356 in matching funds from the California Energy Commission and $72,000 in funds and in-kind contributions from the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD).
The funding will support Sacramento State’s development of electrical/power engineers with smart grid credentials. The collaborative program will also lead to a national Smart Grid Workforce Development Network that is expected to accelerate workforce development initiatives.
Sacramento State is home to the California Smart Grid Center, which tests and develops systems for integration of technologies.
It also develops smart grid curricula for engineering and computer science students and will oversee installation of smart meters on campus buildings and electric vehicle charging stations in university parking structures.
In October, Sacramento State and its smart grid partners-SMUD, the Los Rios Community College District and the state Department of General Services received $127.5m in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding for the smart grid project.
Smart grid technology helps utility companies respond to peak power demands through advanced metering systems that allow two-way communication between consumers and suppliers.
Emir Macari, dean of Sacramento State’s College of Engineering and Computer Science, said: ”Electrical utilities predict that as many as 50% of their technical staff will retire within the next five to 10 years. This training program will give displaced workers the opportunity to change careers to the power industry by providing scholarships, continuing education courses and certificate programs.”
