On January 12, the Department of Energy (DOE) launched a new program focused on U.S. electrical grid investments in support of a more sustainable energy economy.

The Building a Better Grid initiative stems from the Biden Administration’s plans to transition to clean electricity by 2035.

“The foundation of our climate and clean energy goals is a safe, reliable, and resilient electric grid that is planned hand in hand with community partners and industry stakeholders,” said Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm. “DOE’s new Building a Better Grid initiative is a job booster spurred by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and collaboration with communities to upgrade the nation’s grid, connect more Americans to clean electricity and broadband, and reliably move clean energy to where it’s needed most.”

The nation’s current electrical grid systems are outdated and have not been updated to combat the changing weather patterns experienced in recent years, which makes the systems highly susceptible to emerging cyber threats and extreme weather phenomena, such as the 2021 Texas freeze and Dixie wildfire. To mitigate these threats, the DOE invest over $20 billion in federal funding to expand the nation’s electrical grid and modernize its transmission capabilities through public and private partnerships as well as strategic research and development.
 
DOE released a notice of intent summarizing the program and providing details of the cost-benefit analysis of investing in a more sustainable electrical grid. “The most cost-effective renewable resources are often located in remote geographic areas far from the areas with the biggest demand,” the notice reads. “Therefore, accelerating the shift toward a clean power sector requires investment in critical enabling infrastructure such as transmission to increase access to these renewable energy sources.”

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