Beating the bushes for funds to create LI smart grid

Bob Catell has had more jobs and titles in the energy industry than just about anyone we know. Now he's going to be adding one more: jawbone chief for smart- grid projects.

Catell told us he's going to be chatting up officials of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority for more funds. Catell, a member of the NYSERDA board, is also chairman of the New York State Smart Grid Consortium, chairman of the Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center at the Stony Brook University, and a former chief executive of KeySpan. There are a few more "ands," but you get the point.

So if Catell says more money is needed for smart-grid technology - which uses digital communications - is his word enough?

Not really. Because the state has a budget deficit to worry about, like $10 billion worth. And even if not for that, there's plenty of competition for the few dollars - both federal and state - that are around.

In the past few years the state has invested about $13 million in smart-grid projects. Catell says he'll talk to state officials about raising that number to between $20 million to $25 million. "We would like to see a greater portion [of state money] spent on smart-grid projects," Catell said.

David Manning, the consortium's new executive director, said he and Catell will be meeting with state officials and others over the matter in the next few weeks.

"We believe the state should focus on this research even in tough economic times," he said, "as it drives jobs, investment by others, and ultimately has the potential to save the customer money."