The US Department of Energy (DOE) has unveiled a $2.2 billion initiative to modernize the nation’s power grid, supported by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) programme. This investment will fund eight key projects across 18 states, aiming to enhance grid resilience against extreme weather, reduce community energy costs, and expand capacity for manufacturing and data centres. The comprehensive upgrade is expected to boost the grid’s capacity by 13GW, including 4,800MW of offshore wind power. The initiative is projected to attract an additional $10 billion in public and private investment.
In a related effort, the DOE has also announced $63 million in funding to support state and local governments in expanding battery recycling and making advanced technologies like sensors and modelling more accessible to small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs). This funding aligns with the Biden Administration’s goal of achieving a net-zero economy by 2050 and aims to strengthen domestic manufacturing.
The $63 million funding includes $41 million for the second phase of the $50 million allocated by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for battery recycling programs. This phase will enhance state and local government’s ability to support battery recycling initiatives, building on projects that are expected to catalyze more than $14.4 million in investment from the first phase. Additionally, $22 million will be allocated for the second phase of the $50 million State Manufacturing Leadership Programme, aiming to extend the reach of smart manufacturing technologies and practices to more SMMs.
These announcements are part of a broader series of clean energy funding opportunities by the Biden administration. Recently, the DOE’s Wind Energy Technologies Office announced the Offshore Wind National and Regional Research and Development Funding Opportunity, which will allocate $48.6 million for offshore wind projects.