New ComEd Substation Brings Science to Life at Argonne National Laboratory

Rhea-AI Summary

ComEd is constructing a new 138-kilovolt substation at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory to support their world-class research facilities. This substation is the third on the Argonne campus, enhancing energy reliability for critical projects such as the upcoming Aurora exascale supercomputer. Over the past year, ComEd has achieved record service reliability, avoiding over 17 million customer interruptions and saving customers more than $3.1 billion in outages. The partnership aims to transition to a net-zero future.

Positive

• Construction of a new 138-kilovolt substation to enhance energy reliability at Argonne National Laboratory.
• Achieved record service reliability, avoiding over 17 million customer interruptions.
• Saved customers more than $3.1 billion in avoided outages.

Negative

• None.

LEMONT, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- To provide reliable energy required to power world-renowned user facilities that enable groundbreaking discoveries in energy, transportation, and treatments such as vaccines to help fight COVID-19, ComEd is building a new substation at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory.

The 138-kilovolt substation is the latest collaboration between ComEd and Argonne to ensure reliable energy for critical research. Argonne’s Lemont campus is home to six national user facilities used by thousands of scientists from around the world each year. These unique facilities include world-leading computing facilities, a giant X-ray microscope larger than Wrigley Field and 10 billion times brighter than medical x-rays and the forthcoming Aurora exascale supercomputer, which will be one of the world’s most powerful computers and help to accelerate breakthroughs in cancer treatments and neuroscience. This substation will be the third substation ComEd has delivered on the Argonne campus.

“As the needs of our customers change, we work with them to upgrade infrastructure to ensure they have reliable energy to meet their needs,” said Gil Quiniones, CEO, ComEd. “The work at Argonne is critical in unlocking new technologies that will expand clean energy, lead to new medical treatments and fight climate change. Our substation will provide energy to several of the lab’s existing facilities while also ensuring enough capacity to power future facilities like the Aurora exascale supercomputer.”

For much of Argonne’s work, reliable energy is a critical factor in completing research. ComEd, over the last 12 months, delivered its most reliable service on record. Since starting smart grid investments in 2012, ComEd has avoided more than 17 million customer interruptions due in part to smart grid and system improvements. These investments have helped save customers more than $3.1 billion in avoided outages and many millions more through efficiencies created by technologies like smart meters and distribution automation.

“Argonne’s partnership with ComEd drives energy innovation and enhances resilience of critical grid infrastructure to future climate change impacts,” said Argonne Director Paul Kearns. “Our shared mission will provide reliable, sustainable energy and help transition our national laboratory and the surrounding community toward a net zero future.”

ComEd and Argonne’s Center for Climate Resilience and Decision Science also are working together to better understand how climate change will impact the power grid in northern Illinois. Recently, the pair announced a comprehensive Climate Risk and Adaptation Study, which will examine the impact of changing weather due to climate change, including sustained heat and flooding risk, on the design and performance of the grid. It’s the first study to be launched in concert with the Electric Power Research Institute's Climate READi™: Power (REsilience and ADaptation initiative), a three-year global program on climate change risk.

ComEd is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation (NASDAQ: EXC), a Fortune 200 energy company with approximately 10 million electricity and natural gas customers – the largest number of customers in the U.S. ComEd powers the lives of more than 4 million customers across northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state’s population. For more information visit ComEd.com and connect with the company on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220628006134/en/

ComEd

Media Relations

312-394-3500

Source: ComEd

FAQ

What is the purpose of the new substation being built by ComEd at Argonne National Laboratory?

The new substation will enhance energy reliability for critical research projects, including the Aurora exascale supercomputer.

How many customer interruptions has ComEd avoided through its smart grid investments?

ComEd has avoided over 17 million customer interruptions since starting smart grid investments in 2012.

What financial savings have ComEd's customers experienced due to outage avoidance?

ComEd's customers have saved more than $3.1 billion due to avoided outages.

When was the new substation announced for construction at Argonne National Laboratory?

The announcement for the new substation construction was made recently, although specific dates are not mentioned in the press release.

What significance does the Aurora exascale supercomputer hold for research?

The Aurora exascale supercomputer will be one of the world's most powerful computers, assisting in advancements in cancer treatments and neuroscience.