The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has recently announced the eighth round of funding for Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants. With a generous combined total of $167.7 million, these grants will support 11 states, 20 tribal nations, and two territories in the modernization of their electric grids. The objective is to mitigate the impacts of climate-driven extreme weather and natural disasters, while ensuring the reliability of the power sector.

Administered by DOE’s Grid Deployment Office and made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants are part of the Investing in America agenda. This initiative has already awarded over $748 million to participating states and tribal entities. As a result, millions of Americans are benefiting from cleaner electricity, reduced energy costs, and improved power supply throughout the country.

During the grant application process, states, territories, and tribes were required to outline their goals for the implementation of these funds. The following examples illustrate the diverse range of objectives for this latest round of funding:

1. Arizona: Arizona aims to enhance the reliability and resilience of its electric grid in order to minimize power interruptions, especially in areas disproportionately affected by such incidents. The grant funds will support projects that advance resilience investment, promote microgrids, implement advanced control sensor technologies, and reinforce grid infrastructure, including the undergrounding of power lines. ($13 million)

2. Florida: Florida intends to strengthen labor standards and protections for the workforce responsible for implementing grid reliability and resilience projects. Additionally, funds will be utilized to reduce the energy burden and costs faced by customers in disadvantaged communities due to inadequate electric grid infrastructure. ($30 million)

3. New Hampshire: New Hampshire plans to invest in disadvantaged communities to reduce the frequency and duration of disruptive events. The state aims to surpass existing resilience planning efforts by initiating projects that go beyond conventional approaches. Furthermore, New Hampshire is committed to maximizing the potential of its workforce by offering additional development and training opportunities. ($7 million)

4. U.S. Virgin Islands: The U.S. Virgin Islands will focus on developing a skilled workforce equipped to operate and maintain modernized and resilient grid systems. By increasing the use of utility-managed distributed energy resources closer to the point of demand, the islands aim to diversify methods for enhancing energy resiliency. This strategic investment is particularly crucial for improving the resiliency of the distribution network’s vulnerable endpoints. ($2 million)

For a comprehensive list of the eighth cohort of Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grant recipients and further insight into how these funds will be deployed, please visit the official website.

The announcement of Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grant recipients is ongoing, with applications for fiscal years FY 2022 and FY 2023 now closed.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this research report is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial or investment advice. The solar energy market is highly volatile, and readers should conduct thorough research before making any investment decisions.