Energy Department Announces Selectees for $19 Million in Funding for Remote Community and Military Housing Energy Storage
August 2, 2023
minute read time
WASHINGTON D.C.—The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE's) Office of Electricity (OE) has selected two companies to receive $19 million in awards to demonstrate long-duration energy storage (LDES) projects in remote communities and military housing. The companies will receive funding to show how energy storage can lower electricity bills and increase power reliability in Vermont and Kansas. This marks the first projects to be funded under the new energy storage demonstration programs enacted as part of the 2020 Energy Act.
As the U.S. moves to a carbon-free electric grid that relies more on diverse generation resources, the need for reliable LDES that can supply enough energy for long periods of time and during periods when energy generation is reduced or unavailable becomes more essential.
“We recognize that grid innovation must lower cost while increasing reliability, resilience, and security,” said Gene Rodrigues, Assistant Secretary for Electricity. “Demonstrations from the two companies we selected will inspire cost-effective new solutions for making the benefits of long-duration energy storage accessible for every American community.”
Today’s energy storage technologies are not yet sufficiently scaled or affordable to support the full potential of clean renewable energy on the electrical grid. Cheaper, longer duration energy storage can increase community involvement in local power systems, build resilience for communities, and protect against power grid disruptions.
The two companies receiving funding are:
- NOMAD Transportable Power Systems (NOMAD) will receive $9.5 million which it will combine with its 50 percent cost share to lead a team to bring LDES to five communities in rural Vermont that have historically faced unreliable electric service during severe weather events. The mobile energy storage systems will also serve as a new tool for emergency response across the region.
- Corvias Military Living will receive $9.5 million which it will combine with its more than 50 percent cost share to demonstrate one of the first electric vehicle-inclusive microgrids at Fort Riley in Kansas, which will increase the energy resiliency, sustainability, and independence of military housing and other critical facilities. Corvias will partner with General Motors (GM) Defense and other GM businesses to support the continued marketing and development of GM technologies for key markets in the U.S.