DOE’s $42 M for 15 projects to strengthen US power grid
The funds across 11 states will strengthen efficiency of grid operations and prevent outages to achieve a net-zero economy by 2050.
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USA, Washington DC: The funds across 11 states will strengthen efficiency of grid operations and prevent outages to achieve a net-zero economy by 2050.
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has announced $42 million for 15 projects across 11 states to improve the reliability, resiliency and flexibility of the country’s power grid through the development of next-generation semiconductor technologies as part of its Unlocking Lasting Transformative Resiliency Advances by Faster Actuation of power Semiconductor Technologies (ULTRAFAST) program.
The technologies will control grid power flow more effectively and protect critical infrastructure assets. This should improve operational efficiency, prevent unforeseen outages, allow faster recovery, minimize the impacts of natural disasters and climate-change fueled extreme weather events, and reduce grid operating costs and carbon intensity.
“Modernizing our nation’s aging power grid is critical to strengthening our national and energy security, and absolutely essential to reaching President Biden’s ambitious goal of a net-zero economy by 2050,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “This new investment will support project teams across the country as they develop the innovative technologies we need to strengthen our grid security and bring reliable clean electricity to more families and businesses—all while combatting the climate crisis.”
The teams managed by DOE’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) should help improve the Biden-Harris Administration’s decarbonization goals with a grid that is more secure and reliable, and allow the utilization of more solar, wind and other clean energy.
Source: T&D World