US Department of Energy Invests $1.5 Billion in Grid Modernization
The investment is part of a broader effort to modernize the grid and address challenges posed by rising demand and aging infrastructure.
Courtesy: Matthew Henry on Unsplash
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has announced an investment of $1.5 billion in four transmission projects aimed at improving the reliability and resilience of the nation’s electricity grid.
The DOE has also released its final National Transmission Planning (NTP) Study, which provides a comprehensive analysis of the nation’s transmission needs through 2050. The study highlights the need for significant investment in the grid to maintain reliability, increase resilience, and reduce costs.
The NTP Study emphasizes the importance of interregional transmission solutions, which are often not included in traditional transmission planning. By taking a national or multiregional perspective, stakeholders can identify viable transmission expansion opportunities that can lead to significant systemwide savings.
In addition to the $1.5 billion investment, the DOE has also awarded $2.2 billion to eight transmission projects in 18 states, which could expand grid capacity by about 13 GW. These projects include new transmission lines, reconductored wiring, grid-enhancing technologies, long-duration energy storage, solar energy, and microgrids.
The DOE’s investment in grid modernization is part of a larger effort to support the clean energy transition and reduce costs for American families. The Federal-State Modern Grid Deployment Initiative, launched recently, brings together the federal government and 21 states to collaborate on grid challenges. The 2023 National Transmission Needs Study emphasized the need for substantial transmission expansion, with 54,500 GW-miles of new transmission required by 2035 to meet future energy demands.
The DOE’s commitment to grid modernization and transmission expansion will help to reduce costs, improve reliability, and support the transition to clean energy.
Source: POWERGRID International
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