As society embraces innovative technology and energy demand increases, the state of the nation's grid becomes more crucial.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) addressed the issue directly when it announced a major round of funding for grid upgrade projects. On March 12, the DOE's Office of Electricity (OE) announced $1.9 billion in funding opportunities for the “Speed to Power through Accelerated Reconductoring and other Key Advanced Transmission Technology Upgrades” (SPARK).

The funding is intended to jumpstart electricity infrastructure investments that will meet demand growth and resource adequacy needs. In doing so, the DOE also hopes to reduce electricity costs for households and businesses. 

The program is funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which was passed in 2021. SPARK is a rebranding of the so-called Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program, also authorized under the previous administration, to provide up to $10.5 billion in competitive funding over five years to states, tribes, electric utilities and other eligible recipients to strengthen grid resilience and innovation.

The SPARK program is looking for projects that fall into one of three topic areas. Projects that employ reconductoring with advanced conductors can strengthen grid reliability and resilience, and they can expand transmission capabilities. Advanced grid technologies may include new devices, materials, engineering designs or software tools, such as smart grid technologies that enable real-time monitoring, control and optimization of grid assets. Lastly, grid innovation programs with an emphasis on large-scale, multijurisdictional demonstrations can help expand the ability to transfer between transmission planning regions in the country and facilitate the development of new large loads.

A range of entities are eligible to apply, depending on topic area, including energy grid operators, transmission owners, state and local governments, tribes and others.

The first concept paper is due on April 2.