DOE announces $220 million for grid modernization

by Brianna Crandall — January 20, 2016—The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced last week that it is building on its Grid Modernization Initiative – an ongoing effort that reflects the Obama Administration’s commitment to improving the resiliency, reliability, and security of the nation’s electricity delivery system.

Grid Modernization Initiative graphic

Grid Modernization Initiative releases multi-year plan and awards funding for groundbreaking DOE-wide Grid Modernization Laboratory Consortium. Graphic by Carly Wilkins, DOE.

DOE’s comprehensive new Grid Modernization Multi-Year Program Plan is a blueprint for modernizing the grid. DOE also announced the award of up to $220 million over three years to DOE’s National Labs and partners to support critical research and development in advanced storage systems, clean energy integration, standards and test procedures, and a number of other key grid modernization areas.

Additional programs, initiatives, and funding opportunity announcements related to the Grid Modernization Initiative will be announced in the coming days, says DOE.

The Grid Modernization Initiative represents a comprehensive DOE effort to help shape the future of the nation’s grid and solve the challenges of integrating conventional and renewable sources with energy storage and smart buildings, while ensuring that the grid is resilient and secure to withstand growing cyber security and climate challenges. Last week’s public-private partnership announcements fall under the Grid Modernization Initiative’s framework.

Read the Grid Modernization Fact Sheet on the DOE Web site.