ICYMI: Last Week at the DOE: deploy, deploy, deploy!

Last week, we at the DOE had one thing on our minds: deployment, deployment, deployment.  

To achieve 100% clean electricity by 2035 and a net-zero economy by 2050 that means we need to deploy funding in critical research to uncover new technologies, deploy proven clean energy solutions that help create more resilient and healthier communities, and deploy more resources to traditionally underserved communities so we can build a more equitable energy future.  

With so much great progress being made each and every day across the agency, we’re sharing a few highlights from this past week.

As the “Solutions Department” we’re always looking for more efficient and reliable ways to connect clean energy sources, like renewables, to the grid. This week, our Solar Energy and Technologies Office awarded $45 Million to Advance Solar Manufacturing and Grid Technologies!  

“To flip the switch on climate change, we need a grid that’s chock full of renewable energy that’s also cheap and accessible,” said Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “The universities, small businesses, and national lab behind these projects are building the critical components of America’s future grid, making it more resilient on our way to a 100% clean power system.”   

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We’re not the only ones talking about this great news. Here’s what some members of Congress had to say: 

“Investments in clean and renewable energy infrastructure are a big reason why Washington state continues to lead in innovation and technological development. I am so glad to see this important funding go towards projects that will promote energy security, meet domestic demands, and create good-paying manufacturing jobs. This is an important step towards ensuring Washington state leads in solar energy and grid reliability,” said U.S. Senator Patty Murray (WA).

“Adding more renewable energy to the grid is key to fighting climate change, but it has its challenges. I am pleased that the Department of Energy is investing in researching and demonstrating innovative technologies that will help communities deploy more solar energy and create a more reliable grid. These awards are a testament to all of the innovative work being done by universities and companies all over the Pittsburgh area. We have been leaders in innovation for centuries and as that tradition continues, I will work to ensure that DOE and our institutions have the resources they need to keep innovating,” said U.S. Congressman Mike Doyle (PA-18).

“The Department of Energy’s investment in innovative local projects is the spark Northwest Washington needs to be a leader in solar manufacturing. I will continue to champion bold, FDR-like investment in the development of clean technologies to create well-paying jobs, bolster grid resiliency and competitiveness, and fight climate change,” said U.S. Congressman Rick Larsen (WA-2).

“Congratulations to Golden’s own Alliance for Sustainable Energy (NREL). The Alliance is bringing us closer to a cleaner future through its work in advancing energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives and improving grid reliability for the nation,” said U.S. Congressman Ed Perlmutter (CO-07).

“Investing in clean energy technologies like solar not only helps us combat climate change, it strengthens our energy and manufacturing sectors, creating good jobs while building the economy of the future. I’m so thrilled that Louisville’s own Bert Thin Films is leading the way in this industry, working to reduce costs and expand access to an inexhaustible clean energy source. I congratulate Thad and Ruvini on earning this highly sought-after Department of Energy funding to continue their great work here in Louisville,” said U.S. Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-3).

“Congratulations to Gridbright for being awarded this funding to advance their solar manufacturing and grid reliability projects. These initiatives are crucial for meeting the needs of the 21st century here in Contra Costa and across the country,” said U.S. Congressman Mark Desaulnier (CA-11).

“Technology serves as the third economic wave in our state’s economic growth and today’s funding to North Dakota State University will be used to advance innovative ways to store energy,” said U.S. Senator John Hoeven (ND). “Investments in research to develop cost-effective, more efficient technologies is key to meeting our growing energy needs while leveraging existing resources and with improved environmental stewardship.”

“I am grateful for the Energy Department’s consistent investment in North Dakota and its energy efforts,” said U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (ND). “Today’s award will help NDSU advance its research of efficient energy storage and sustainability.”

“As the strain of extreme heat and wildfires continue threatening to overwhelm California’s electric grid, the funding and support of these pivotal projects are crucial to improving the efficiency of our energy grid and reduce demand,” U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (CA) said. “This is one of the many steps we need to take in order to combat the worsening impacts of climate change. Through these various research projects, we are one step closer to being able to conserve more energy and save billions of dollars in yearly energy costs.”

“Just yesterday, I had the opportunity to bring Secretary Granholm to Central Virginia to demonstrate how our region is leading the way in building new clean energy technologies, constructing energy-efficient buildings, and creating good-paying clean energy jobs,” said U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger (VA-07). “Today’s announcement is an exciting moment for Project Haystack and the Commonwealth as a whole. I look forward to following this project’s progress very closely, and I would like to thank the U.S. Department of Energy for their continued confidence in Virginia’s clean energy future.”

"If we are going to address the climate crisis we must take steps to reduce emissions in every sector of our economy,” said U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03). “This investment will help New Mexico deploy energy-efficient building technologies and advance our ever-growing clean energy workforce.”

“Georgia’s Fifth Congressional District is home to innovators working toward environmental justice for everyone,” said U.S. Representative Nikema Williams (GA-05). “The Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance is one of those innovators and today’s award will allow them to help consumers make the informed decisions they need to create a greener planet. I thank Secretary Granholm and the Department of Energy for recognizing this work.”

But wait! We didn’t stop there, our Building Technologies Office also nearly $83 million to increase building energy efficiency and cut consumers’ energy bills.   

“Americans spend about $100 billion every year on wasted energy from buildings, heating and cooling units, and more – increasing energy bills and needless emissions that dirty our air and worsen the climate crisis,” said Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “By pursuing advancements that make both existing and newly constructed buildings more energy efficient, we can save consumers money and reduce the climate impacts of the places we live and work.” 

Funding for 44 projects across  nine states will help spark new building approaches, innovations and help deploy more efficient technologies in all pockets of the country. Here’s what some key members of Congress had to say about the news:  

Watch Secretary Granholm and EPA Administrator Regan’s conversation, hosted by EarthDay.org. Together, they discussed how to build a cleaner, more resilient, and equitable future thanks to the investments outlined in the bipartisan infrastructure deal and President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda.  

Listen to Secretary Granholm speak to three Americans from Alaska, DC and Nevada already deploying the clean energy future, hosted by the League of Conservation Voters. Learn how they’re taking steps in their communities to increase access to clean energy, help to reduce energy costs in underserved, minority and indigenous communities, and provide jobs training to build the workforce of the future—including leveraging the skillsets of oil and gas workers so they can lead the energy transition. 

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