The Robert W. Galvin Center for Electricity Innovation at Illinois Institute of Technology is a major university initiative for intruding practical technologies that can improve the resilience, reliability, security, efficiency, and sustainability of the nation's electrical grid and overcome obstacles to the effective adoption and implementation of the Smart Grid. The Center brings together researchers, industry, government, and innovators to "plug-in" to IIT's smart microgrid, research laboratories and technology park, creating a hub - or sandbox - for new innovations in advanced grid technology. In January 2012, the Galvin Center completed and moved into a new, state-of-the-art facility designed to house, microgrid research, demonstration and education activities. Located on the 16th floor of the IIT Tower, the 16,000-square-foot facility contains offices, exhibition rooms, classrooms and student workrooms, acting as a hands-on experience center for Smart Grid, microgrid and energy technology and education. The $4 million renovation project was funded by the State of Illinois, U.S. Department of Energy and IIT.