DOE Announces Availability of $3.9 Billion to Invest in Smart Grid Technologies and Electric Transmission Infrastructure
25 June 2009
The Department of Energy is soliciting applications for $3.9 billion in grants to support efforts to modernize the electric grid, allowing for greater integration of renewable energy sources while increasing the reliability, efficiency and security of the nation’s transmission and distribution system, as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Approximately $3.3 billion will go for the Smart Grid Investment Grant Program, with $615 million targeted for smart grid demonstration projects.
As part of the Smart Grid Investment Grant Program, DOE will provide cost-shared grants to support manufacturing, purchasing and installation of existing smart grid technologies that can be deployed on a commercial scale. Funding under the Smart Grid Demonstration Program will be used to demonstrate how emerging technologies can be applied in innovative ways within the electric delivery system to provide integrated and economically-feasible solutions.
The Investment Grant program is intended to enable smart grid functions on the electric system as soon as possible, while the Demonstration program is aimed at identifying and developing new and more cost-effective smart grid equipment, tools, techniques, and system configurations that can significantly improve upon today’s technologies.
The final FOAs reflect the more than 600 comments DOE received on the draft solicitations. The Department previously announced that while the maximum award limits for both programs were being increased, the Department will support projects of all sizes. Under the final solicitations, the maximum award for the Smart Grid Investment Grants will be $200 million; the maximum award for the Smart Grid Demonstrations will be $100 million.
The final FOAs are available at www.fedconnect.net. Search public opportunities for the following reference numbers: Smart Grid Investment Program (DE-FOA-0000058) and Smart Grid Demonstrations (DE-FOA-0000036).
We’re starting to talk real money here.
I hope they know what they are doing.
With 85% going to Grants intended to enable smart functions on the system right away, it sounds good.
From what little I know about the grid, weather you believe wind, nuclear, coal, solar, geo, wave, oil, shale, sand, natural gas or any or all will save us, - major improvement is required.
Well, I guess not, if you believe in 100% roof top solar.
And not if you believe the smart grid is just another conspiracy to allow big brother to keep track of us.
Posted by: ToppaTom | 25 June 2009 at 08:45 PM
"..allowing for greater integration of renewable energy sources.."
If this is what they mean about Smart Grid, I would be for it. But if it is to allow the utility company to turn off my AC on a hot summer day...not so much.
Posted by: SJC | 30 June 2009 at 09:50 AM