Whirlpool Scores Smart Grid Stimulus Funds

By Planet Laundry staff | Oct 28, 2009

Whirlpool Corp. has announced that it is the recipient of stimulus funds as part of the U.S. Department of Energy's Smart Grid Investment Grant program.

The grant of $19.3 million over a two-year period – which Whirlpool will match with its own investments – will help the company accelerate its work to deliver appliances that can connect with the smart grid. For example, the company recently announced that, in 2011, it would deliver one million U.S.-manufactured smart dryers capable of reacting intelligently to signals from the smart grid by modifying their energy consumption to save consumers money on their electric bills. In markets where utilities offer variable or time-of-use pricing, these dryers could save a typical consumer $20 to $40 per year, while also benefiting the environment.

"The grants announced today are a great example of public and private partnerships that will create the next generation of energy-saving solutions," said Mike Todman, president, Whirlpool Corporation North America. "Smart appliances combined with time-of-use pricing offer consumers the greatest ability to save money on energy costs while benefiting the environment. Whirlpool continues to leverage its strong U.S. footprint to deliver the innovations that both meet consumers' needs and help to address environmental and energy concerns."

In addition, the funds will complement the company's commitment that by 2015 all of the electronically controlled appliances it produces – everywhere in the world – will be capable of receiving and responding to signals from the smart grid.