ALBAWABA - In an effort to increase power flow and fortify the electrical grid against severe weather, the US Department of Energy on Tuesday granted $2.2 billion to eight microgrid and electric transmission initiatives spread across 18 states.
The funding will expand the system's capacity by 50,000 megawatts and add 1,000 miles of transmission lines in addition to the first batch of federal awards for grid projects, with Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm saying that "there's much more to come," as reported by Politico.
The funds will be utilized for renovating around 400 miles of currently operational transmission lines to allow them to carry more current as well as creating more than 600 miles of entirely new transmission lines.
According to a statement released by the Department of Energy, improvements to the grid would result in an increase of roughly 13 gigawatts (GW) of capacity. These enhancements will also make it possible to expand the number of data centers, boost manufacturing, and enable greater transmission of renewable electricity.
As a result of the expenditures, the Department of Energy (DOE) estimates that 56 million households and businesses will have access to more cheap and dependable power solutions. In her statement, Granholm said that the funds constitute the single greatest direct investment in the nation's grid ever made, as reported by AP.
Secretary Granholm also stated that “the first half of 2024 has already broken records for the hottest days in Earth's history, and as extreme weather continues to hit every part of the country, we must act with urgency to strengthen our aging grid.”
