DOE Announces $3.9 Billion in Smart Grid Grants

On June 25, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced the availability of $3.9 billion in stimulus funding for the development of smart grid technologies and electric transmission infrastructure. Within the package, $3.3 billion was allocated for the Smart Grid Investment Grant Program, a cost-sharing grant program that supports existing smart grid technologies in manufacturing, purchasing and installation for the commercial sector. The other $615 million will fund demonstration projects of new technologies that improve upon current tools, techniques, and system configurations. Energy Secretary Steven Chu said, “These investments will be used to develop a smart, strong and secure electrical grid that will help integrate renewable resources onto the grid, deliver power more reliably and effectively with less environmental impact, and create new jobs across the country.”

To learn more about smart grid technology, please reference the June 4 briefing co-sponsored by EESI and WIRES or the January 8 briefing co-sponsored by EESI and MissionPoint Capital Partners.