CCJM provided design and construction administration for the development of a former auto service station into a smart-grid research facility/charging station for lab and visitor electrical vehicles.
The new facility enables realistic smart grid studies, combining the Energy Systems Division’s capabilities in grid modeling and simulation with Argonne-developed sensing, communication, and control technologies. The design integrates solar power and battery storage with smart charging and controllable building systems to minimize total energy use and operate as an isolated micro-grid if needed. The Smart Energy Plaza supports additional standard AC charging locations for Argonne employees, but it is primarily a development, testing, and demonstration center for grid integration studies. It includes soon-to-be-introduced high-power DC and wireless charging in cooperation with the auto industry and charging equipment suppliers.
Project Cost: $1,200,000
