SmartSynch Awarded State Energy Program Grant
Contact: Jennifer Spann, Public Relations 601.359.3449
jspann@mississippi.org
Jackson, Miss. (August 20, 2009) – SmartSynch, a Jackson, Miss.-based smart grid infrastructure company, has been awarded a $3.75 million grant to help manage energy consumption and cost at public facilities around the state, Governor Haley Barbour announced today.
"The project marks the first time Mississippi has launched a coordinated effort to reduce energy consumption in public buildings and save money for the Mississippi taxpayer," Governor Barbour said. "I am proud that SmartSynch, an industry leader located in Jackson, Mississippi, is going to be working with state officials to install these meters and make our public buildings more energy efficient. This was an open and competitive selection process, and SmartSynch was an ideal fit for this project."
SmartSynch employs smart meters and other services, devices and software to capture and transmit energy usage data, which allows its users to identify energy "leaks" and improve overall energy efficiency. A smart meter is an advanced electrical meter that monitors and reports on energy usage in real-time through a two-way communication network. According to the Department of Energy (DOE), when consumers can track their energy consumption through smart meters, their usage declines as much as 15 percent.
SmartSynch's SmartMeters use high bandwidth, Internet standards and public wireless networks – which together provide the flexibility, security and speed to deliver critical two-way data on energy use to power companies, agencies and building facilities managers.
"We applaud Governor Barbour for his vision in making Mississippi one of the first states to have a smart energy policy and are deeply gratified to be working with the State to help put stimulus dollars to work to reduce energy use and create jobs," said Stephen Johnston, SmartSynch's chief executive officer. "This project demonstrates the pivotal role SmartSynch can play in giving people the information they need to make smarter decisions about their electricity use on a very large scale."
The SEP provides grants to states to address their energy priorities and program funding to adopt emerging renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. Potential program uses include: building energy codes and standards, building retrofits, clean energy policy, building energy audits, energy efficiency rating and labeling, industrial retrofit support, renewable energy market development, workshops and training and other loans, grants and incentives.
This grant is part of approximately $16 million awarded to the state to begin administering the SEP as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The remainder of the $40 million allocated to Mississippi will be released by the U.S. Department of Energy as the state implements its programs and demonstrates results.
For more information about smart metering or the SEP, visit http://stimulus.mississippi.org.
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