The above commitment is a part of an application for $48m federal stimulus fund with the US Department of Energy (DOE) for smart-grid technology in Kansas City’s Green Impact Zone. As a part of the smart grid efforts, $10m was committed by several corporate partners including Siemens and Kokam America.
The total combined investment of $24m is dependent on receiving an equal fund of $24m through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 from DOE.
Mike Chesser, chief executive officer of Great Plains Energy, informed that the project comprises four main aspects, which includes smart energy generation, smart distribution with improvements in delivery, smart consumption with upgrades to metering systems and smart payment systems. The project also involves green job training and education for youths.
The company hopes to implement the project in 2010, following the announcement about the grant which is expected to be revealed in the fourth quarter of 2009, stated Michael Deggendorf, senior vice president of delivery for KCP&L.
