A consortium of California energy agencies and companies has thrown its hat into the ring for a USD 2 billion federal grant with the ambitious “California Harnessing Advanced Reliable Grid Enhancing Technologies for Transmission (CHARGE 2T)” project. The coalition, including the California Energy Commission (CEC), California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), California Independent System Operator (CAISO), Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), and the University of California, Berkeley Energy Institute at Haas, has submitted a grant application to the US Department of Energy's Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program.
CHARGE 2T aims to bolster the state-wide electric transmission capacity to accommodate a greater influx of renewable energy sources and reduce renewable curtailment. The project encompasses upgrading over 400 miles (643.7 km) of steel powerlines with advanced conductors containing carbon fiber and/or composite cores to enhance capacity. Additionally, the initiative prioritizes workforce development and improved energy education.
The US Department of Energy's GRIP Program is overseeing a whopping USD 10.5 billion in grants dedicated to enhancing grid flexibility and fortifying the power system against escalating threats posed by extreme weather and climate change.
This move by the California coalition aligns with a broader trend of regional collaboration for grid innovation. Just a day prior, six New England states announced their partnership to compete for funding in the second round of the Grid Innovation Program (GIP), administered by GRIP.
