DOE Announces Nearly $350M in Funding for Energy Storage Solutions Demonstrations

The Department of Energy has announced nearly $350 million in funding for emerging Long-Duration Energy Storage demonstration projects.

The funding will go towards the demonstration of solutions that can provide at least 10 hours of electricity in support of a low-cost, carbon-free electric grid. The funding opportunity will support advancements in renewable energy technologies, enhance customer ability to integrate grid storage more effectively and expand U.S. leadership in energy storage.

The resources will fund up to 11 demonstrations, DOE said.

LDES solutions are designed to supply power during periods when energy generation is either reduced or unavailable. According to the Energy Department, currently available LDES platforms are not sufficiently scaled or affordable to support the broad use of renewable energy on the electricity grid.

Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said improving energy storage solutions would make clean, reliable and affordable electricity available to people living in underserved and remote areas. She added that the funding opportunity will support the U.S. government’s efforts toward a carbon-free energy grid.

The funding announcement also comes with a community benefits plan for their demonstration proposals. The plan covers core priority principles, namely workforce investment; community engagement; diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility; and Justice40 Initiative implementation.

The community benefits plan ensures that all communities will benefit from clean energy.

Applicants have until Dec. 15 to submit letters of intent and until March 3, 2023, to submit full applications.

LDES demonstrations will be managed by the department’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations.