The US Department of Energy (DOE) has announced plans to invest approximately USD581m in 84 electricity transmission and distribution projects across eight US states, in partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). The projects are expected to add around 2.5 GW of grid capacity, enhance electricity reliability, reduce outages and improve the resilience of the power system.
“The TVA award is for approximately USD581mn in total, including USD250m in federal funding and about USD331m in applicant cost-share funding”, the department said. The initiative is being carried out under the Resilience Amplified: Multi-Market Grid Interconnection Initiative, which falls within the DOE’s Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) programme. The programme aims to reinforce electricity infrastructure, enhance grid performance and ensure consumers have access to affordable, reliable and secure electricity.
The latest funding award follows the DOE’s earlier selection of TVA for the Speed to Power through Accelerated Reconductoring and other Key Advanced Transmission Technology Upgrades (SPARK) programme. This initiative focuses on modernising existing transmission infrastructure through advanced technologies to increase capacity and ease grid congestion.
“Together, the GRIP and SPARK projects for TVA represent nearly USD741mn in planned grid investment, including approximately USD329.8m in federal support, and are expected to add more than 4.3 GW of additional grid capacity”, according to the department’s statement.