April 2023 Grid Deployment Office Newsletter

Recent Announcements

DOE Releases Strategy to Accelerate and Expand Domestic Offshore Wind Deployment

On March 29, 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released its Offshore Wind Energy Strategy, a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive summary of the Department’s efforts to meet President Biden’s goal to deploy 30 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind energy by 2030 and set the nation on a pathway to 110 GW or more by 2050. Deploying 30 GW of offshore wind would provide enough power for 10 million homes, support 77,000 jobs, and spur $12 billion per year in direct private investment. The Department-wide strategy outlines how DOE offices, including the Grid Deployment Office, will support the Biden-Harris Administration’s whole-of-government approach to accelerate the deployment of offshore wind in support of achieving a carbon-free electricity sector by 2035.

Learn more about DOE’s Offshore Wind Energy Strategy.

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Over $200 Million to Modernize and Expand Hydropower

On March 22, 2023, the Biden-Harris Administration, through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), announced more than $200 million for the modernization and expansion of hydroelectric power throughout America and the advancement of new marine energy technologies. With the investment, supported by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), DOE is now accepting applications for two hydroelectric incentives within the Hydroelectric Incentives Program. Administered by the Grid Deployment Office, the Program is focused on maintaining and enhancing hydroelectric facilities to ensure generators continue to provide clean power, while improving dam safety and reducing environmental impacts.

The Grid Deployment Office (GDO) issued application guidance and opened solicitations for the Hydroelectric Production Incentives (BIL provision 40331 and Energy Policy Act of 2005 [EPAct 2005] Section 242), which will provide up to $125 million in incentive payments to qualified hydroelectric facilities for electricity generated and sold in calendar years 2021 and 2022. In addition, GDO also issued application guidance and opened solicitations for the Hydroelectric Efficiency Improvement Incentives (BIL provision 40332 and EPAct 2005 Section 243), which will invest $75 million to enable implementation of capital improvements to boost efficiency.

Learn more about the Hydroelectric Incentives Program.

Grid Deployment Office Amends ALRD for Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants to Extend Deadline and Offer Mail-in Submittal Option

On March 20, 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued an amendment to the  Administrative and Legal Requirements Document (ALRD) for the Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants Program to address feedback received from stakeholders. The amendment extends the deadline for States, Territories, and federally recognized Indian Tribes, including Alaska Native Regional Corporations and Alaska Native Village Corporations to apply for funding to May 31, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. ET. The ALRD also amends application requirements to include a mail-in option to ensure that applicants without internet access can apply for the grants. Mail-in applications must be postmarked by May 31, 2023.

Authorized by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and administered through the Grid Deployment Office, the Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants Program is focused on strengthening and modernizing America’s power grid against wildfires, extreme weather, and other natural disasters that are exacerbated by climate change. Applications will be processed on a rolling basis as they are received. Accordingly, applicants may submit their applications as soon as they are ready, and grants may be awarded prior to May 31, 2023.

Learn more about the Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants Program.

DOE Launches Second Round of Clean Energy Innovator Fellowship Program

On March 31, 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) launched the second round of the Clean Energy Innovator Fellowship, a unique workforce development program supported by DOE’s Grid Deployment Office and the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy that matches recent graduates and new energy professionals to key energy organizations to support efforts to advance clean energy solutions. Through this program, hosts receive support to help them accelerate the transition to clean electricity and better take advantage of federal grid resilience and modernization funding opportunities, while also increasing access to clean energy career opportunities across the United States. DOE has now opened applications for eligible Host Institutions, including state public utility commissions, grid operators, and cooperative and municipal utilities. New this year, Tribal Utilities, Inter-Tribal Councils or other Tribal organizations, and essential energy organizations in Puerto Rico are identified as priority Host Institutions.

DOE is now accepting applications for Host Institutions, which are due on April 27, 2023.

Learn more about the Clean Energy Innovator Fellowship.

News and Updates

Readout of Secretary Granholm’s March Visit to Puerto Rico

On March 31, 2023, U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm concluded a five-day visit to Puerto Rico. Throughout the trip, the Secretary met with community members across Puerto Rico’s western and central regions to provide updates on the Department of Energy’s (DOE) ongoing work to rebuild and modernize the grid with clean, reliable, and resilient power sources. The visit marked the Secretary’s fourth visit to Puerto Rico and continued the PR100 Community Engagement Tour – a series of town hall-style events coordinated with Hispanic Federation where residents and community members can speak directly with the Secretary about their suggestions for the PR100 study.

During each stop, Secretary Granholm discussed the next steps for allocating the $1 billion Puerto Rico Energy Resilience Fund, which was authorized by President Biden in December 2022 and is administered through the Grid Deployment Office. These engagement-driven discussions provide critical local feedback that will help DOE develop and implement community-tailored solutions to address aging infrastructure and improve resilience for Puerto Rico’s electric grid.

Learn more about Secretary Granholm’s visit to Puerto Rico.

The White House Highlights GDO's Offshore Wind Transmission Planning Efforts

On March 29, 2023, the White House released a fact sheet outlining 10 ways the Biden Administration is making progress toward deploying 30 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind (OSW) electricity generation by 2030 and is on the path to 110 GW by 2050. Among the highlighted efforts is the work of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), including the Grid Deployment Office, in partnership with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), to develop strategic and equitable OSW transmission that will allow wind resources to be captured off the coasts of the United States and delivered to communities as clean, reliable power.

Following a series of stakeholder convenings, DOE and BOEM have developed draft recommendations for an action plan on Atlantic offshore wind transmission. A full action plan will follow, informed by the Administration’s Atlantic Offshore Wind Transmission Study. Similar efforts are underway along the Pacific, with DOE using Inflation Reduction Act funds for a West Coast Offshore Wind Transmission Study.

Read the full fact sheet.

Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnership Program Seeks Reviewers for Full Applications

As part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Grid Deployment Office (GDO) is administering the $10.5 billion Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program. The GRIP program seeks to enhance grid flexibility and improve the resilience of the power system against growing threats of extreme weather and climate change. The program comprises three funding mechanisms: the Grid Resilience Utility and Industry Grants; Smart Grid Grants; and the Grid Innovation Program.

GDO is now recruiting reviewers for the first round of GRIP funding.

Reviewers are crucial to the thorough and unbiased evaluation of funding opportunity applications and contribute a perspective that enhances the quality of the review. GDO is seeking potential reviewers with academic, subject matter, and/or practitioner experience in a wide range of areas.

Learn more about being a reviewer.

The Grid Deployment Office is Hiring

The Grid Deployment Office (GDO) is focused on maintaining and investing in critical generation facilities and improving and expanding the systems that get power where it needs to go. We are looking for more people to join our mission to provide reliable, affordable electricity to everyone, everywhere. We have a range of positions available for a variety of skillsets, many offering telework or hybrid work options across the country.

Hear from GDO Director Maria Robinson as she shares what she loves about working at the Grid Deployment Office and how to apply for open opportunities.

Visit our career page to learn more about the application process.

Subscribe to the GDO Newsletter

To learn more about the latest milestones, funding opportunities, webinars, and highlights from our teams, make sure you opt-in to receive program specific updates.

Topics include:

• Building a Better Grid Initiative and Transmission Planning
• Civil Nuclear Credits
• Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program
• Hydroelectric Incentives
• Information for States and Tribes
• National Transmission Planning Study
• Offshore Wind Transmission Planning (NEW!)
• Puerto Rico Grid Recovery and Modernization

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Grid and Transmission Program Conductor

Do you know which transmission and grid resilience financing program is right for your project? With more options now for financing and investment through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, as well as other existing DOE transmission and grid programs, the Grid and Transmission Program Conductor’s interactive tool can help identify which opportunities may be best suited to bring your project to fruition.

Check out the Grid and Transmission Program Conductor.

Hydroelectric Incentives Guide

Did you know the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funded three distinct hydroelectric incentive programs? These incentives combine to create our Hydroelectric Incentives program - an investment of more than $750 million in existing hydroelectric facilities to improve efficiency, maintain dam safety, reduce environmental impacts, and ensure generators continue to provide emission-free electricity. Our new Hydroelectric Incentives Guide breaks down the differences between the programs, provides key information and resources, and answers frequently asked questions.  

Explore the Hydroelectric Incentives Guide.

Open Opportunities

Recent Meeting Materials