Under the deal, ComEd will develop a deployment plan for AMSC’s high temperature superconductor technology to build a superconducting cable system that will strengthen Chicago’s electric grid.
ComEd said the Resilient Electric Grid (REG) effort is part of the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate’s work to secure the country’s electric power grids and improve resiliency against extreme weather, acts of terrorism, or other catastrophic events.
The existing design of the grid infrastructure in several US cities makes restoration of power time-consuming, costly, and unpredictable following a catastrophic event.
The REG is a self-healing solution that offers resiliency if parts of the grid are lost and the ComEd installation is claimed to be the first commercial application of the advanced technology in the US.
ComEd president and CEO Anne Pramaggiore said: "Modernizing our region’s electric grid is part of ComEd’s vision to strengthen power reliability and to connect our customers and this region to the 21st century digital economy.
"We view this project as a natural extension of the infrastructure improvements and technological upgrades that have been under way for the past two years as we develop and deploy the smart grid.
"Linking our critical urban infrastructure to this superconductor system would provide added reliability, resiliency and security to Chicago’s Central Business District, an essential economic engine for the state and region."
