Whirlpool scoops stimulus money for 'smart' dryers

White Goods giant Whirlpool announced last week that it has been awarded US$19.3m in stimulus funding by the US government to help it build smart grid-enabled appliances capable of turning themselves off and on automatically in order to save energy at times of peak demand.

The vendor, which obtained the money under the Department of Energy's (DOE) Smart Grid Investment Grant programme, is working on building appliances that will communicate with smart grids and adjust their behaviour according to grid conditions.

One tumble drier, to be delivered in 2011, will modify its energy consumption to save energy usage at times of peak demand, reducing pressure on the grid and cutting customers' electricity bills. "In markets where utilities offer variable or time-of-use pricing, these dryers could save a typical consumer between $20 and $40 per year, while also benefitting the environment," the company said, adding that it is aiming to produce one million Smart Energy clothes dryers by the end of next year.

Whirlpool said that by 2015 it wants all its electrical appliances to be smart grid-capable. However, it warned that an open, global standard for transmitting and receiving signals would be required if the technology is to enjoy mainstream adoption.

It also advised that energy providers and governments will have to develop policies that reward users for taking advantage of smart appliance functions and agreeing to automatically power down their appliances at certain times.

The government funding, which comprises 50 per cent of the total cost of the Whirlpool smart grid manufacturing project, represents the consumer-facing end of the DOE's multibillion-dollar smart grid programme.

Under the initiative, small projects such as Whirlpool's research programme, can receive grants of up to $20m, while larger infrastructure projects are eligible for payments of up to $200m.

The application deadline for the $3.375bn programme fell in August, with President Obama announcing the first wave of awards last week.

Whirlpool was one of only two companies to be funded in the equipment manufacturing category, raising fears in some quarters that the government is focusing on accelerating the rollout of smart grid infrastructure, while largely failing to support the development of the smart appliances that will be required to maximise potential energy savings.