DOE Commits USD 34 Million to Boost Modernization of US Power Grid
The selected projects are envisioned to upgrade and expand the grid infrastructure, reducing inefficiencies, mitigating disruptions from extreme weather events, and accelerating the adoption of renewable energy resources.
January 19, 2024. By Abha Rustagi
Launched under the Grid Overhaul with Proactive, High-speed Undergrounding for Reliability, Resilience, and Security (GOPHURRS) program, these projects aim to fortify and modernize the aging American power grid.
The initiative aligns with President Joe Biden's Investing in America agenda, emphasizing the creation of resilient and secure energy infrastructure to support a 100 percent clean electrical grid by 2035.
US Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm highlighted the importance of modernizing the nation's power grid to lower energy costs, enhance national security, and facilitate a transition to clean energy.
The selected projects are envisioned to upgrade and expand the grid infrastructure, reducing inefficiencies, mitigating disruptions from extreme weather events, and accelerating the adoption of renewable energy resources.
The US power distribution system, with over 5.5 million line miles and 180 million power poles, is susceptible to weather-related damage, causing frequent power outages.
Climate-change fueled extreme weather events are exacerbating these challenges. Undergrounding power lines is a proven strategy to improve system reliability, as underground systems are less vulnerable to weather interference.
Managed by DOE's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), the selected projects involve collaborations between small and large businesses, national labs, and universities. These teams will play a crucial role in developing technologies to reduce costs, increase speed, and enhance the safety of undergrounding operations.
Selected projects include the development of innovative tools such as a water-jet underground construction tool by Arizona State University, a robotic worm tunneling construction tool by GE Vernova Advanced Research, and medium-voltage power cable splice kits by Melni Technologies.
Other projects involve the creation of subsurface sensor systems, artificial intelligence for processing geophysical survey data, and hands-free power cable splicing machines.
These initiatives aim to address challenges in the power distribution system, improve the reliability of underground electrical power distribution, and significantly contribute to the goals of a cleaner, more resilient energy infrastructure.
ARPA-E's commitment to advancing high-impact clean energy technologies aligns with its goal to ensure the United States remains a global leader in the development and deployment of advanced clean energy technologies. The announcement marks a crucial step toward building a sustainable and efficient power grid for the future.
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