How can Illinoisans curb global warming and invigorate a sagging economy? According to national climate change policy expert Bracken Hendricks, the state should add smart technology to the electricity grid.

Smart grids cut greenhouse gas emissions, integrate renewable sources of energy (such as solar and wind power) more readily, and offer consumers more options to reduce their carbon footprints, said Hendricks, a senior fellow with the Center for American Progress in Washington, D.C. Additionally, smart grids open doors for the local business community -- creating more jobs and opportunities in the growing green business sector.

Grid modernization via smart grids can be instrumental in reducing global warming -- it provides a viable, expedient way to address this growing crisis, said Hendricks. The time to create a cleaner energy economy is here, and its essential to reduce carbon emissions by improving our deteriorating electricity infrastructure.

Speaking before the Illinois Smart Grid Initiative (ISGI) -- a voluntary group of state and local government, consumer, business, environmental and utility stakeholders working together to examine how Illinoisans can benefit from a smart grid -- Hendricks said that a smart grid will enable the state to rebuild its electricity infrastructure to allow for efficiency and energy options that lessen human impact on the environment.

During his presentation, Hendricks shared some of the key opportunities smart grids offer for creating a cleaner, more efficient energy future for Illinois:

Smart grids can act as a stimulus package for state economies.Smart grid investment infuses a host of energy-saving technologies and fosters an emerging green business sector into a states economy. As regional smart grid pilot programs efforts are introduced, cities and communities will have an opportunity to benefit from the green windfall, offering entrepreneurial prospects in the areas of smart grid technology, energy efficiency management systems, and renewable energy.

Plug-in electric cars -- the future of automobiles -- need smart grid technology.Only with smart grids will commuters be able to utilize the full potential of electric cars. With smart grid technology, plug-in car owners would be able to sell power back to the grid during peak periods to pay for the expense of travel. Plug- in electric cars will require smart grid technology, and even smarter policy, for the grid to provide these vehicles with the power they need and to sustain the resulting increased demand on the power system. Plug-in electric cars could cut per-vehicle emissions by 30 percent and slash fuel expenses by at least 75 percent.

Demand response allows consumers to work in partnership with utilities to reduce stress on the grid and shrink electricitys substantial carbon footprint.Americans electricity use is responsible for nearly 40 percent of the nations energy-related carbon emissions. Smart grid technology offers consumers choice. Through demand response tools such as real-time pricing and energy management technology in homes and businesses, consumers can work together with utilities to use electricity more efficiently and reduce the amount of power used, especially during high-demand peak times. And reduced demand means fewer carbon emissions from electricity generation.

Grid modernization must happen sooner rather than later to help curb climate change.As global warming continues to worsen, time is running out to curb its progress. We should waste no time in developing a smarter power system that optimizes the electricity grid we have now.

Like railroads and highways, the electric grid needs large-scale investment to strengthen its deteriorating infrastructure.When Americans looked to expand and connect the countrys railroad and highway systems, massive investment in new technologies standardized the system and led to the integrated transportation framework that supports the American economy today. Our electricity infrastructure needs large-scale investments to yield a reliable, efficient and responsive power system.