KNOXVILLE, Tenn., August 24, 2009 — Knoxville-based EnerNex Corporation is on the Virginia Polytechnic Institute team recently awarded funding by the U.S Department of Energy for developing, populating, managing, and maintaining a Web-based Smart Grid Information Clearinghouse.  The Clearinghouse website will allow consumers, manufacturers and utilities to find out more about smart grid technologies and initiatives across the nation.

The $1.3 million project fulfills a requirement in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and represents an integral part of Smart Grid development.  Its purpose is to consolidate public technical, legislative, and other information on Smart Grid development and practices, and direct website users to additional information sources both in the United States and internationally. 

“The formation of a Smart Grid Information Clearinghouse will result in a technology library full of background documents, standards references, and business cases outlining smart grid requirements organized as a function of technology and application,” stated Erich Gunther, EnerNex’s Chief Technology Officer and co-founder. 

Gunther continued saying, “Not only will it be a resource for valuable research, it will be a living, breathing application experience and lessons learned database.  This is vital for moving forward as the industry looks to improve and enhance  smart grid technologies and the nation's electrical grid.”

EnerNex will contribute to the Virginia Tech project team, along with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE),  by drawing on its experience and knowledge around:  Smart Grid projects, technologies, and events, previous clearinghouse engagements (such as SmartGridipedia), and web-based collaboration, and software development.

Erich Gunther will serve as the project lead for EnerNex for the five year period beginning June 2009.

EnerNex is an electric power engineering and consulting firm specializing in the application and integration of new electric power technologies. EnerNex provides engineering and consulting services, along with software development/customization and market/technology analysis, for energy producers, distributors, users and research organizations.  The firm’s client list for AMI and Smart Grid projects includes the Illinois Commerce Commission, Consumers Energy, Entergy, Duke Energy, Salt River Project, First Energy, and others.

Contact: Carrie Parks
Phone: 865-218-4600 ext. 6142
carrie@enernex.com
www.enernex.com