Identifying modernization goals and community priorities
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Identifying modernization goals and community priorities
You have identified a gap in your infrastructure and are now starting to explore the options available to you. Key considerations may include:
Establishing Objectives:
- Formalize internal discussions to define modernization goals based on anticipated utility needs.
- Identify current needs that a modernization project would address.
- Engage stakeholders in the information gathering process.
Funding resources to support identifying modernization goals and community priorities
| Opportunity | Program Objectives | Eligibility (who is eligible to apply) | Funding type (grant to community, technical assistance, loan, …) | Link | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office (IEDO) - Onsite Energy Technical Assistance | Connect manufacturers with specialized technical assistance to identify opportunities to integrate the latest onsite energy technologies through site screening and project installation support. | Industrial facilities, other large energy users | Technical assistance, market analysis and best practices | Onsite Energy Program | Department of Energy | |
| Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy - Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project (ETIPP) | Helps remote and island communities transform their energy systems and increase energy resilience. Participating in the program can leverage communities to receive substantial in-kind support from the partnering national labs in the form of energy analysis and planning and, where appropriate, support for leading-edge technology solutions. | Remote, island, and islanded communities within the United States | Technical assistance | About the Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project | Department of Energy | |
| National Laboratory Preliminary Technical Assistance | Under the program, scientists, and engineers from national laboratory offer their expertise and assistance to these entities at no cost. This support is particularly valuable for addressing complex or technically challenging issues that organizations may struggle to resolve independently. The program is authorized by federal law, and the DOE allocates limited funding to support these activities. DOE also provides policy guidance to govern the selection and screening of projects, ensuring that the assistance is provided in a targeted and effective manner. | U.S. states, local jurisdictions, communities, tribes, small businesses and state and local government | Technical assistance | Technical Assistance | State, Local, and Tribal Governments | NREL Technology Deployment - Idaho National Laboratory (inl.gov) Energy Storage for Social Equity Technical Assistance Program | PNNL | NREL, PNNL, INL |
| Grid Deployment Office (GDO) - Joint Assessment of Resilience in Vulnerable Infrastructure Systems (JARVIS) | Enhance the resilience and reliability of the nation's electric grid by leveraging advanced technologies, data analytics, and innovative modeling techniques. The program seeks to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities, strengthen strategic planning, and support underserved utilities in implementing equitable, sustainable, and modern grid resilience solutions. | Electric utilities in partnership with Technical Assistance (TA) provider, which include research institutions, consulting firmsm technology companies, non-profit, for-profit organizations | Grant | TechWerx - Opportunities | |
| Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy - Renewable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning (R-STEPâ„¢) | Enhance capacity of state and local governments to effectively plan, site and permit large-scale renewable energy and energy storage projects. It aims to create a streamlined, community-oriented, and science-based siting process by providing technical assistance, fostering community engagement, and developing state-specific tools and resources. | U.S. state and local governments | Grant | Renewable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning (R-STEPâ„¢) | Department of Energy |
Engaging community in modernization planning
Community engagement is a crucial aspect of the planning process for grid infrastructure modernization. Utilities must involve the communities they serve in the decision-making process to build trust, foster transparency and ensure that the modernization efforts align with the needs and values of the community. Click below to explore community engagement resources.Â
Community Engagement
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