Department of Energy

Congress approved $4.5 billion to improve the delivery of electricity and energy reliability through modernization of the electric grid, much of which is contingent on enhancing the technological control of the transmission of electricity throughout the United States.

Under the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act, Congress required the Energy Department to provide financial support to smart grid projects throughout the country, including urban, suburban, tribal and rural areas, regardless of whether the projects are controlled by non-profit or investor-owned utilities. The government is committed to paying up to 50% of the cost of qualifying advanced grid technology investments made by electric utilities or other parties to carry out demonstration projects.

The department is seeking to promote the use of digital upgrades to the electric grid that are necessary to enable it to work more efficiently and cost effectively. The Energy Department believes that modernizing the nation’s electric delivery network will provide the optimal amount of information necessary for customers, distributors and generators to change their behavior in a way that reduces system demands and costs, increases energy efficiency, optimally allocates and matches demand, and resources to meet that demand and increases the reliability of the grid.

Some $3.3 billion in grants will be distributed through the Smart Grid Investment Grant Program and another $615 million has been set aside for smart grid demonstration projects. For more information, please click here.

For a state-by-state look at Energy funding opportunities, please click here.

For additional details please click here.

A number of other programs are designed to promote the latest technological advances in alternative forms of clean, renewable energy. Information can be found clicking here.