Energy Department Announces $7 Million Funding Opportunity for Grid-Enhancing Data Analytics Demonstrations
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Electricity today announced a $7 million funding opportunity announcement (FOA) to enhance the electric power systems’ reliability and resilience via grid-enhancing data analytics demonstrations for operations, monitoring and control. DOE will select up to seven projects that demonstrate the various geographic, economic, and climate conditions that help assess the deployment of advanced data analytics.
“Our office works every day to accelerate the research, development, and demonstration of new technologies and tools that improve the reliability and affordability of the electric system for all Americans,” said Gene Rodrigues, Assistant Secretary for Electricity. “The energy sector is witnessing an explosive growth in the volume and velocity of utility data, so it is important that we use the data and analysis to accelerate pathways toward our grid modernization goals.”
The abundance of data from the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), as well as sensors with fast-streaming data sets, have challenged the traditional methods of utility data acquisition, use, and storage. Sensor data is important for developing procedures and control strategies for wildfires, heatwaves, cold snaps, and other challenging conditions facing the power sector. Advanced analytics from sensor data must consider the physical system capabilities and human factors that will lead to follow up actions.
This FOA, which emerged from a Notice of Intent (NOI), aims to build on current best practices and will support the potential for rapid deployment and widescale deployment of these new analytics into the power sector. Demonstrations and direct partnerships with data providers and U.S. power sector utilities are required because they ensure that the analytics can meaningfully support planning and operation decisions. To emphasize the Department’s energy justice goals, tribal utilities are encouraged to apply. In addition, it is encouraged that teams also include universities and community organizations (such as municipalities, tribes, school districts, etc.). Projects should have a distribution focus, but projects that look at both transmission and distribution are encouraged.
Applicant organizations must provide 20% cost share for the research and development phase and 50% cost share for the demonstration phase. Projects should culminate in a field demonstration, which should be no less than 20% of the total project scope.
The Office of Electricity is at the forefront of developing a resilient, reliable, secure, and affordable grid. Learn more about the office’s work here.
