Smart grid investments can be leveraged to improve service reliability, reduce direct and indirect cost for consumers, integrate distributed generation, and promote efficient energy usage. To encourage an open discussion around the development of smart grid in Illinois, the University of Illinois Springfield welcomed all interested parties to the Illinois Smart Grid Policy Forum on November 4, 2013. Under the overarching topic of measuring progress and charting direction, the forum focused on smart grid investment and job growth, assuring consumer benefits, and the use of smart grid technologies to address climate change. RAP principal Rich Sedano was the keynote speaker and moderated a panel discussing consumer benefits. He also participated in a closing panel with Bob Lieberman, who led discussions with other experts from the field on smart grid policy and deployment.

The presentations for this event are posted on the University’s Center for Business and Regulation website. For more information on smart grid issues, please visit our library.