About the Microgrid

In the 3 year period of 2004-2006, Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) suffered 12 power outages which cost the university a substantial amount of money in tainted research, expenses for alternative housing for students without power, damaged equipment, and more.  It became clear that the current radial power distribution system was inadequate. 

In 2008, the Galvin Center leadership entered into a $13 million partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy to build the first-ever Perfect Power microgrid – an electric system that will not fail – at IIT in Chicago.  The revolutionary microgrid is equipped with smart switches for enhancing reliability, sustainable energy sources (roof-top solar panels, wind generation units, flow batteries, and charging station for electric vehicles), and smart buildings (equipped with campus and building controllers.)  Yearly, the grid saves the university an estimated $1 million dollars in electricity costs and costs associated with blackouts.

The IIT microgrid can be operated as a stand-alone power system in the case of grid contingencies. The Galvin Center leadership is working with entities across the world to replicate and scale the microgrid model for communities, military bases, corporate parks, sports facilities, and other universities.

"Public/Private Partnership Creates Opportunity to Fundamentally Address Local Energy Crises," Release  Full Article

"Illinois Institute of Technology Leads Statewide Initiative to Create Jobs" Reuters.com (PDF)

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"IIT, U. of I., Oak Park to give electric 'smart grid' a spin," Chicago Sun-Times. Full Article

"In Search of Perfect Power" Power Magazine's April edition. Full Article

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"Chicago electric utilities are getting 'smart,'" Medill Reports  Full Article

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"Talk of the Nation" National Public Radio's Online Clip