The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) seeks to accelerate innovative solutions to address new load growth from computing, manufacturing, buildings, and transportation through use of a Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA).
December 10, 2024
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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) seeks to accelerate innovative solutions to address new load growth from computing, manufacturing, buildings, and transportation through use of a Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA). This PIA complements the Connected Communities 2.0 funding opportunity, launched in July, which is designed to validate technology innovations at the grid edge—where electricity distribution transitions between utilities and end users—in real-world situations to help ensure grid readiness for load growth. Here, the PIA will accelerate collection and reporting of performance data at the grid edge, especially from electric and gas distribution systems working with utilities, and associated analysis to increase acceptance of new technologies and planning strategies as viable approaches for efficient infrastructure investment.
Grid-edge technology innovations include a wide range of solutions such as energy efficiency, demand-flexible building systems, low-power appliances, managed electric vehicle charging, thermal energy networks with energy storage, and distributed energy resources such as batteries and rooftop solar. Performance validation is essential to empower utilities, communities, suppliers, and regulators to incorporate these solutions into their distribution system planning.
Who Should Apply?
DOE aims to leverage existing field demonstrations and pilot programs to accelerate data collection and analysis. Applicant organizations—including research organizations, universities, utilities, community-based groups, and small and independent consulting firms—must have access to data from existing, ongoing projects running in collaboration with utilities to collect data from distribution systems and to validate grid-edge technology solutions.
DOE’s intention is to assist and strengthen the scope of existing pilot programs specifically for more customer and utility data collection, analysis, and reporting purposes. Communities with limited distribution capacity, such as locations with data centers and affordable housing, are a priority. Minority-owned or non-traditional organizations are encouraged to apply.
Learn More
Learn more about the Connected Communities 2.0 PIA application process and timeline. Applications are due Jan. 9, 2025. An informational webinar is scheduled for Dec. 18, 2024, at 2 p.m. ET.
For more information on Connected Communities 2.0, review the funding notice. To learn more about DOE Partnership Intermediary Agreements, visit the Office of Technology Transitions PIA website.