U Of I To Lead State’s “NextGrid” Study
Professor George Gross, with the U of I's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. University of Illinois
The Illinois Commerce Commission has tapped engineers at the University of Illinois to help determine the future of energy in the state.
The Commission announced that the university’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering will be the lead facilitator for the “NextGrid” study, which will try to find new ways to bring energy to Illinois citizens.
George Gross is a professor in the department. He says he and his colleagues have access to many resources to help the state.
“We’ll be using a lot of experts from both on campus and off campus so as to really put Illinois among the leading states in terms of looking ahead for a very efficient and effective energy future,” Gross said.
He says the state must plan now for future energy sources and use.
“The Illinois Commerce Commission has been very proactive because they created this project and they want to be in the drivers’ seat in terms of making sure the state is aware of what the options are,” Gross said.
The U of I will work with the Illinois Commerce Commission, Ameren Illinois and Commonwealth Edison in studying future energy needs. Gross hopes the solutions will make for clean, sustainable energy in the state.