USTDA Supports Politehnica Smart Micro Grid

(USTDA) BUCHAREST, Romania – Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency awarded a grant to the University Politehnica Bucharest (UPB) in support of a feasibility study on the technical, economic and financial viability of implementing a Smart Micro Grid pilot system on campus. University Politehnica of Bucharest is the oldest, largest and most prestigious technical university in Romania, with 30,000 students and 3,000 employees.

The grant was signed by U.S. Ambassador to Romania Hans Klemm and UPB President and Rector Mihnea Costoiu. “By employing the latest smart grid and intelligent building technologies, Politehnica Bucharest will be able to better regulate its energy, maintenance and operation costs,” said Ambassador Klemm.

UPB is planning to deploy the Smart Micro Grid project for the entire campus, which will reduce the university’s annual energy expenses and its carbon footprint. Rector Costoiu stated, “The agreement signed today, which will implement an energy management system similar to that of a Smart City, opens the opportunity to join a limited group of European universities that have begun to implement such an ambitious concept. It is the first step in the collaboration with the United States Government that we wish to develop further.”

The feasibility study will evaluate opportunities for expanding generation capacity, implementing tri-generation approaches and diversifying energy supply resources. Additionally, the study will look at adding thermal and electric power storage systems, as well as maximizing the use of smart building technologies. Features of the study include an energy audit baseline assessment, environmental analysis, a preliminary design of the smart micro grid and an economic, financial and development impact.

“USTDA is pleased to support UPB in developing this innovative pilot project,” said USTDA Regional Director Carl B. Kress. “The study will present U.S. companies with an excellent opportunity to introduce new cutting-edge solutions to the Romanian market, while supporting our partners’ energy efficiency development goals.”

The project will utilize technologies such as gas engines, energy efficient lighting, distribution and outage management systems, advanced metering, rooftop photovoltaic systems and thermal and battery storage systems. Conducting the feasibility study is E3 International, LLC of Bethesda, MD, an energy efficiency and renewable power consulting firm.