– Consortium of Californian energy stakeholders submit $2 billion grant application to GRIP program
– Project called CHARGE 2T aims to increase statewide electric transmission capacity, streamline renewable energy projects, and support workforce development and energy education
– Grant would fund upgrading powerlines, grid-enhancing technologies, renewable energy interconnection improvements, and energy education and training programs for students and workforce development in disadvantaged communities
A consortium of Californian energy stakeholders, including CEC, CPUC, CAISO, PG&E, SCE, and the California-Berkeley Energy Institute, has submitted a $2 billion grant application to the US Department of Energy’s GRIP program. The project, called California Harnessing Advanced Reliable Grid Enhancing Technologies for Transmission (CHARGE 2T), aims to increase statewide electric transmission capacity, streamline renewable energy project interconnections, and support workforce development and energy education.
The grant, if approved, would provide $1 billion in matching funds for the project. By upgrading over 400 miles of powerlines with advanced conductors and utilizing grid-enhancing technologies to reduce congestion, CHARGE 2T would have an economic impact on disadvantaged communities estimated at $1.4 billion. It would support approximately 1,000 union jobs and 20,000 indirect jobs, while also enhancing renewable energy interconnections to meet California’s clean energy goals.
Additionally, the project would fund energy education and training programs for middle and high-school students, as well as community colleges and universities, to develop a pipeline of future power engineers. These programs would focus on disadvantaged communities, providing mentoring, internships, counseling, job training, apprenticeships, and scholarships, assisting with mid-career changes and partnering with unions to fuel economic development in the state.