Electric grid resiliency will improve with grant funding
The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded the Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin, more than $10 million, under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Grid Resilience Program, to improve resiliency of the electric grid.
“The Grid Resilience Program will help our state mitigate the devastating public safety and financial impacts caused by severe weather events,” said PSC chairperson Rebecca Cameron Valcq. “Security and technological investments in the electric grid improve energy reliability, and bolster critical infrastructure.”
The state will use this grant funding to enhance the reliability of the electric grid, by supporting measures to reduce the likelihood, consequences of, and impacts to the electric grid, because of extreme weather, wildfire and natural disasters. Examples of these measures include hardening of power lines, facilities, substations and other systems; construction of microgrids and battery storage sites; and replacement of aging equipment.
Wisconsin’s 11 federally recognized tribes are also eligible to receive a $2.6 million for the Grid Resilience Program.
Following the program design phase, which will include an open comment period to help inform commission decisions on program scope and priorities, the PSC’s Office of Energy Innovation (OEI) anticipates releasing one or more competitive grant program cycles, to solicit projects from eligible applicants. Eligible entities include electric grid operators, electricity storage operators, electricity generators, transmission owners or operators, distribution providers and fuel suppliers.
The OEI will host a webinar at the beginning of each grant cycle, to help potential applicants understand the funding opportunity and grant requirements. The commission will make awards to eligible applicants, based on the performance criteria identified in the program design phase.
