The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has unveiled a $26 million investment to support the advancement of a modern, reliable, and resilient American clean energy grid. As part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda, the funding will be allocated to eight selected projects across 13 states and Puerto Rico. These projects will showcase how solar, wind, storage, and other clean energy resources can strengthen the nation's power grid, ensuring it can adapt to changing demands and effectively handle interruptions.
The initiative, funded through the President's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will enable the deployment of innovative clean energy technologies at 15 different sites nationwide. By embracing these technologies, the DOE aims to establish a grid that can automatically adjust to evolving circumstances, offering peace of mind to Americans in the face of power grid disruptions. Furthermore, these projects align with the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to expanding affordable clean energy adoption, accelerating the development of a decarbonized grid, and enhancing America's energy security in the battle against the climate crisis.
Jennifer M. Granholm, the U.S. Secretary of Energy, emphasized the significance of fortifying the power grid amid evolving threats and climate risks. She highlighted the incorporation of renewable resources into the grid and emphasized the need for a reliable and resilient system that can deliver clean electricity to homes and businesses across the nation. The DOE's investment aims to support the construction of such a resilient grid, advancing the administration's vision of a clean energy future while driving progress towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The selected projects under the Solar and Wind Grid Services and Reliability Demonstration program will encompass research teams comprising utilities, laboratories, universities, and industry stakeholders. These teams will explore how wind and solar plants can transmit clean energy more reliably while also safeguarding the bulk power system, which consists of high-voltage transmission lines. The initiatives will also focus on testing and monitoring controls that enable swift and efficient power restoration after blackouts, ensuring continuous energy supply to communities nationwide.
Source: cleantechnica.com