Program Information
Smart Grid Grants are designed to increase the flexibility, efficiency, and reliability of the electric power system, with particular focus on:
- Increasing capacity of the transmission system
- Preventing faults that may lead to wildfires or other system disturbances
- Integrating renewable energy at the transmission and distribution levels
- Facilitating the integration of increasing electrified vehicles, buildings, and other grid-edge devices
Smart grid technologies funded and deployed at scale through this program must demonstrate a pathway to wider market adoption. Smart Grid Grants will invest up to $3 billion ($600 million/year for Fiscal Years 2022-2026) in grid resilience technologies and solutions and is open to domestic entities including institutions of higher education; for-profit entities; non-profit entities; and state and local governmental entities, and tribal nations.
The program was previously funded by the Recovery Act of 2009. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law expands on the existing program.
Visit Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships Program to learn more.
Second Funding Opportunity
On October 18, 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy announced nearly $2 billion for 38 projects that will protect the U.S. power grid against growing threats of extreme weather, lower costs for communities, and increase grid capacity to meet load growth stemming from an increase in manufacturing, data centers, and electrification. This includes 14 projects selected under Grid Resilience Utility and Industry Grants. See the full list of projects.
First Funding Opportunity
On October 18, 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy announced up to $3.46 billion in Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program investments for 58 projects across 44 states to strengthen electric grid resilience and reliability across America. This includes 16 projects selected under Grid Resilience Utility and Industry Grants. See the full list of projects.
Clean Energy Innovator Fellowships
The Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program is participating in the Clean Energy Innovator Fellowships, a unique workforce development program that matches recent graduates and new energy professionals to key energy organizations to support efforts to advance clean energy solutions.