U.S. Dept. of Energy aims to invest $220M in modernizing country’s electrical grid
by Cleantech Canada Staff
Three-year program would fund more than 80 projects across U.S.
WASHINGTON—The electrical infrastructure south of the border may be getting a significant overhaul.
Earlier this month, U.S. Energy Secretary, Ernest Moniz, announced the Dept. of Energy’s Grid Modernization Initiative—a three-year program that would see the U.S. government invest US$220 million to help bring the country’s electricity grid into the 21st century. Though it remains subject to congressional appropriations, if implemented, the program would install advanced storage systems, better integrate clean energy standards and test procedures, as well as address a number of other key grid modernization areas.
“Modernizing the U.S. electrical grid is essential to reducing carbon emissions, creating safeguards against attacks on our infrastructure, and keeping the lights on,” Moniz said.
“This public-private partnership between our National Laboratories, industry, academia, and state and local government agencies will help us further strengthen our ongoing efforts to improve our electrical infrastructure so that it is prepared to respond to the nation’s energy needs for decades to come,” he added.
If it proceeds, the project will involve 14 DOE national Laboratories as well as numerous industry and academic partners, providing funding for more than 80 grid-related projects nationwide.
