Illinois Smart Meter Awareness, Research & Technology (iSMART) Pilot Project
- Provide Smart Grid, Peak-Time demand, and continual energy efficiency education.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the low-income and senior consumer education program to increase smart grid awareness and engagement and assess the impact of behavioral change on energy consumption patterns.
- Address and overcome challenges with real-time metering and pricing in PHA buildings where some end-users do not pay for their consumption.
- Educate PHA staff on benchmarking and building energy management. 5. Install and monitor smart technologies to assess impact on resident energy consumption, savings, and quality of life issues.
The Illinois Smart Meter Awareness, Research, & Technology (iSMART) Pilot Project is an innovative multi-partnership project that is working to identify the challenges and issues involved with incorporating smart meters and technologies in the traditionally underserved low-income communities. The intent of the iSMART Pilot Project is to create awareness of cost and consumption saving strategies through efficiency and time-of-use energy techniques in the elderly and low-income communities. The main goals of the pilot program are to:
Education Materials:
HUD's RENTAL ASSISTANCE DEMONSTRATION (RAD) PROGRAM
RAD is a voluntary program whereby Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) may apply and be selected to convert public housing units to long-term Section 8 Project Based Vouchers (PBV) or Project Based Rental Assistance (PBRA) units. During this transformation, Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTCs) and/or private financing may be used to provide the funding necessary to modernize these units. The goals of the program are to Improve and preserve public housing units, provide more stable funding to public housing authorities, and offer residents greater choice & mobility in where they live.
RAD Resources: