Businessman and philanthropist Chris Galvin shakes hands with U.S. Senator Dick Durbin while IIT President John L. Anderson and Mohammad Shahidehpour, director of the Galvin Center, look on.

Sen. Richard Durbin and Rep. Bobby Rush joined IIT President John L. Anderson and executives from ComEd, Silver Spring Networks and West Monroe Partners during a ribbon-cutting event on Monday, September 22, 2014 to open the Center for Smart Grid Application, Research and Technology (CSMART). Located in the Robert W. Galvin Center for Electricity Innovation, CSMART is one of the first of its kind to bring together academic, industry and utility experts to provide a fully-functional test environment for smart grid and smart city technology.

“This unique partnership underscores the value brought by bringing institutional knowledge from multiple sectors to advance smart grid technology,” said Mohammad Shahidehpour, Director of the Galvin Center and Bodine Chair Professor. “As we continue to see smart grid technology implemented on a global basis, this center will become the model for the creation of new technology that will harness energy and benefits for all users.”