Smart Grid Investment Matching Grant Program

Agency: Department of Energy – Electricity

 

Description:

A matching grant program for installation of technologies deemed smart grid investments. These include technologies that allow buildings to engage in demand flexibility or Smart Grid functions. Eligible investments include metering, control, and other devices, sensors, and software; communications and broadband technologies to support smart grid deployment; technologies and programs to integrate electric vehicles to the grid; devices and software for buildings support demand flexibility and other smart grid functions; operational fiber and wireless broadband communications networks enabling data sharing between distribution system components; and Advanced transmission technologies, including dynamic line rating, flow control devices, advanced conductors, and network topology optimization, to increase the operational transfer capacity transmission networks.

Bill Section:

40107

New or Existing:

Existing

Potential Cost:     

$3,000,000,000

Timeline:

FY2022-2026

Implementation Status/Rulemaking:   

On October 18, 2023 DOE announced that 34 Smart Grid Projects, totaling $1.1 billion, were included in the first round of the administration’s Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program. Source

On November 14, 2023, DOE announced the availability of $1.08 billion for Smart Grid Projects through the second round funding opportunity of the GRIP Program for Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025. Applications were due January 12, 2024: Source

TCS Notes:

The DOE’s Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program includes Section 40107 Deployment of Technologies to Enhance Grid Flexibility (Smart Grid Grants), Section 40101(c) Grants to Eligible Entities on Preventing Outages and Enhancing the Resilience of the Electric Grid (Grid Resilience Grants), and Section 40103(b) Program Upgrading Our Electric Grid and Ensuring Reliability and Resiliency (Grid Innovation Program).

The IIJA appropriated $600,000,000 to Smart Grid Grants annually FY2022-2026. Grants are 50% federal funds.