Missouri S&T researchers are part of a new effort that aims to transform the nation’s power grid into an Internet of sorts for energy – a grid that will speed renewable electric-energy technologies into every home and business.

Missouri S&T is one of five U.S. universities in the National Science Foundation’s Energy Research Center for Future Renewable Electric Energy Delivery and Management (FREEDM) Systems. The initiative was unveiled in September and is led by North Carolina State University. Universities in Germany and Switzerland are also involved.

The center will develop technology that transforms the nation’s century-old, centralized power grid into an alternative-energy-friendly network that can easily store and distribute energy from solar panels, wind farms, fuel cells and other sources.

The effort fits well with Missouri S&T’s expertise in power engineering, says Mariesa Crow, the Fred W. Finley Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and director of the university’s Energy Research and Development Center. Crow is Missouri S&T’s lead researcher on the project. Joining her are Badrul Chowdhury, Keith Corzine, Mehdi Ferdowsi and Jonathan Kimball, all on the electrical and computer engineering faculty, and Bruce McMillin, professor of computer science.