About the CORE Initiative
The U.S. Department of Energy’s HVDC COst REduction (CORE) initiative supports the research and development to reduce High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) technology and long-distance transmission costs 35% by 2035 (35 by 35). The CORE initiative requires coordinated action, guided by an aggressive goal: to develop and domestically manufacture HVDC transmission technologies to meet all U.S. market demands by 2035 in a cost competitive manner. Congress directed FY 2023 appropriations for the Office of Electricity to fund this initiative.
Background
HVDC can increase the power grid’s capacity to receive, transmit, and deliver energy more efficiently than existing solutions. HVDC transmission can improve grid resilience, security, and operation flexibility. It can also accommodate the integration of renewable energy to reach the nation’s goal of carbon neutrality and help reduce the cost of transmitting electricity over long distances. Learn more about DOE's overall grid modernization efforts through the TRAC program.
Funding Opportunities
In November 2024, DOE announced the selections for the Innovative DEsigns for high-performAnce, Low-cost HVDC Converters (IDEAL HVDC) project funding. The Funding Opportunity Announcement was issued in September 2023. The selected projects will drive clean energy innovation by investing in research and development for HVDC voltage source converter transmission systems. This investment supports grid upgrades to integrate renewable energy generation, both onshore and offshore, on the grid.
Resources
Learn more about the HVDC CORE Initiative, a cross-cutting initiative involving two DOE offices, the Office of Electricity and the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. This presentation presents the initiative's goals, scope, and outcomes.
