A Living Laboratory [The Business Scene]

Whether driven by higher energy costs, concern for climate change, or the oil spill in the gulf, the national conversation is no longer a debate regarding whether the smart grid and renewable energy sources should be developed. Rather, the debate has shifted to how and, more importantly, how rapidly they can be implemented. With stimulus dollars available to fund projects and with aggressive renewable energy policy portfolio mandates in place, smart grid projects are being put in place all across the nation. The development of the IIT Smart Grid Education and Workforce Training Center is well timed to fulfill its mandate of engaging utilities, corporations, labor unions, veterans, K-12 students and educators, and universities and community colleges in a collaborative initiative to train the strongest workforce in the world to meet the global challenges in the smart grid, energy independence, clean environment, and sustainable energy.