U. S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu was touring AEP Ohio's Groveport facility.

Chu announced a high-tech project that will have an economic impact on central Ohio.

The project involves what is called "Smart Grid" technology - in essence the ability to remotely control your home appliances through a monitor or cell phone.

The technology will allow users to control their appliances and thermostat and see real-time electric rates.

That control will allow people to tailor their energy usage to save money, Bell reported.

It also will allow electric companies to streamline, saving money and emissions.

The $150-million project will be funded in part by a $75-million grant from the department of energy, with the other half coming from AEP.

The Smart Grid project could create 500 jobs or more, Bell reported.

The technology is being developed in cooperation with Battelle scientists.

AEP will test the technology in a 150-square-mile area of central Ohio and involved about 110,000 customers.

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