GRIP Funding Round Two: DOE’s Latest Investment in Utility Resilience

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced the first eight selections for the second round of the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program funding - specifically for the Grid Innovation Program, which is one of three GRIP funding mechanisms. This investment, totaling $2.2 billion, will support eight projects across 18 states aimed at fortifying America's power grid against the increasing threats of extreme weather, reducing costs for communities and expanding grid capacity to accommodate growing energy demands. The program is designed to enhance grid resilience and reliability, ensuring the nation's energy infrastructure is positioned to meet future energy needs.

GRIP Program Overview

Launched by the DOE, the GRIP Program focuses on strengthening the resilience and innovation capacity of America's power grid. The program's primary goal is to enhance grid resilience and reduce the impact of natural disasters, cyber threats and other disruptions. By requiring collaboration among industry stakeholders including utilities, government agencies, states, etc., the program aims to ensure a reliable energy supply for communities across the nation. To date, GRIP has allocated $5.7 billion in funding across 65 projects through its first two rounds. The newly selected projects are expected to add approximately 13 gigawatts of grid capacity, enabling more clean energy to reach consumers nationwide.

In addition to a focus on resilience, GRIP funding promotes innovation within the energy sector. It provides financial support for developing and deploying cutting-edge technologies that optimize grid operations, improve energy efficiency and integrate renewable energy sources. These efforts are crucial for the modernization of America's energy infrastructure. The GRIP program is divided into three funding mechanisms:

• Grid Resilience Utility and Industry Grants, which support activities that modernize the electric grid to reduce impacts from extreme weather and natural disasters. Eligible projects include transmission and distribution technology solutions deployed to mitigate hazards such as wildfires, floods, extreme heat, extreme cold, storms, etc.
• Smart Grid Grants, which will enhance the electric power system by boosting transmission capacity, preventing faults that lead to wildfires and other disruptions, incorporating renewable energy into both transmission and distribution, as well as facilitating electrification.
• Grid Innovation Program, which provides financial assistance to states, Tribes, local governments, and/or public utility commissions to collaborate with electric sector owners and operators on the deployment of innovative projects related to transmission, storage and distribution infrastructure.

Grid Innovation Program Funding Recipients

The following applicants have been selected (listing and status of the first round of selection is available here) to receive Grid Innovation Program funding and will now oversee subaward processes to distribute these funds among their respective state and tribal agencies and utilities.

Upcoming Awards

The remaining project/award selections for Grid Resilience Utility and Industry Grants and Smart Grid Grants are expected to be announced later this year. Additionally, deadlines for the third round of GRIP funding will be announced in the fall or early 2025.

Get Support from Itron for Federal Funding Applications

Itron offers comprehensive support to utilities seeking federal funding, including:

• Strategic consulting and advisory support
• Insights for funding requirements and project selection criteria
• Solution mapping and technical expertise
• Community impact discovery
• Grant application messaging guidance
• Compliance reporting alignment

We are committed to empowering utilities and cities with the expertise and tools necessary to maximize these historic investments in our energy infrastructure and the communities we serve.

For more information about how Itron can support your utility in the application process for GRIP and other federal funding opportunities, reach out to Dave Stensland, business development director, IIJA, or Liz Thompson, business growth manager. Sign up for future information and announcements related to IIJA at www.itron.com/iija and check out related blogs here. 

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