SmartGridNews.com The insider's guide to the modernization and automation of electric power
SGN Stimulus Tool Kit By SGN Staff Apr 2, 2009 - 4:10:44 PM
Contents
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA 2009) includes funding to enhance energy independence and modernize infrastructure. Some of the money will flow through the states, which will evaluate proposals and issue grants. Some of it will flow through the Department of Energy (DOE), which will have its own application and evaluation process. And some of it will come in the form of loan guarantees diving Bonneville Power Administration and Western Area Power Authority increased ability to borrow money for transmission projects.
Smart Grid News has established this special page, which will be continuously updated, to provide information for those who want to (a) apply for stimulus funding or (b) track the progress of Smart Grid-related stimulus projects.
Several Web sites and reports are in place already with general information, overviews and (in some cases) lists of frequently asked questions:
The following files provide information on and suggestions for good stimulus proposals.
You must take several one-time actions to submit an application. (Allow at least 10 days.) Different programs may have different or additional requirements. Although the steps below are for state energy programs, private sector applicants are likely to face similar requirements:
Questions about the mechanics of applications and forms go to Grants.gov.
Questions about the content of the announcements and programs go to FedConnect. You must first be registered (see above) to submit questions (and to view responses to questions from others).
ARRA calls out $4.5B specifically for Smart Grid, but several other provisions are suitable for Smart Grid projects as well. In determining where to apply, be sure to research all of the other pots of money, many of which could be used to fund Smart Grid projects that contribute to the stated goals.
For instance, goals for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants include “to improve energy efficiency in the transportation, building and other appropriate sectors.” The Smart Grid is certainly an appropriate sector. What’s more, Smart Grid projects related to electric vehicles or building automation might also qualify. Likewise, money directed towards renewable energy might be applied in part to better ways to transmit that energy via a smarter grid, and advanced battery money might be used to figure better ways to use batteries to improve grid stability and reliability.
Be sure to consider all of the following sources:
The first grants to go out will be block grants for state energy and weatherization program. DOE has made available the following spreadsheet to show block grant allocations:
Bookmark this page, which will be updated as new information and Web sites appear. Then, if you haven’t already, sign up for the SGN email newsletter or the SGN RSS feed, since we will be issuing weekly updates and announcements. (By the way, our newsletter features an instant, one-click unsubscribe. If your job or your interests change, click the link at the top and bottom of every email and you will be instantly removed with no further typing or action required.) Subscribe to our FREE eMail News Alert!
Smart Grid Newsletter (SGN) is the insider's guide to the Smart Grid revolution. It consists of a FREE bi-monthly email summary, along with a companion Web site that contains the full stories and other helpful materials. Benefits of subscribing: SGN is the only central source for all of the news, trends, research and marketplace information relevant to grid automation. In it, you will read about cutting edge technologies; successful pioneers and how they got ahead; regulatory changes that could unleash new markets; the latest research; and new opportunities for sales of grid-related products and services. © Copyright 2008 SmartGridNews.com |