Illinois Sustainable Technology Center - University of Illinois
INRS State Scientific Surveys
ISTC Sustainability Seminar Series
The Center for Neighborhood Technology and its work with the Illinois Smart Grid Initiative
Anthony Star, Director of Policy and Evaluation, CNT Energy
April 22, 2009
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The Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT), based in Chicago, has been a leader in promoting more livable and sustainable urban communities since it was founded in 1978. As a creative think-and-do-tank, they research, invent, and test urban strategies that use resources more efficiently and more equitably. CNT works across disciplines and issues, including transportation and community development, energy, natural resources, and climate change. Using energy efficiently has been a critical focus of CNT's efforts to improve urban sustainability. In 2000, CNT Energy (formerly known as the Community Energy Cooperative) was created to explore new ways to measure energy usage and to assist individual consumers and concerned communities in achieving sustainable, affordable energy solutions. In 2008, CNT convened the Illinois Smart Grid Initiative, a voluntary group of state and local government, consumer, business, environmental, and utility stakeholders working together to examine how consumers can benefit from comprehensive grid modernization in Illinois. The Initiative is a project of CNT and is funded by the Galvin Project and assisted by the Galvin Electricity Initiative and US Department of Energy. The Initiative recently issued a report that identifies key steps for improving electricity services throughout the State. This initiative emphasizes the need for making electricity grids smarter, more efficient and better for the environment.