US DoE launches coalition to tackle grid challenges to clean energy growth

The US Department of Energy (DoE) on Tuesday announced an initiative, called the Interconnection Innovation e-Xchange (i2X), which is funded by Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and is designed to help connect more clean energy to the grid.

The initiative engages grid operators, utilities, state and tribal governments, clean energy developers and other stakeholders, which will develop solutions for faster, simple and fairer interconnection of clean energy resources, the department explained.

US Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm described i2X as a coalition of problem solvers to tackle interconnection issues. The partners will seek to do that through better data, roadmap development and technical assistance.

“Eliminating the gridlock that’s slowing down clean energy deployment is critical to increasing access to cheaper electricity for American families and businesses,” said Granholm.

Dramatic expansion in solar and wind energy will be needed to reach the US goal of 100% clean electricity by 2035 but this would be impossible to handle with the current rules, costs and procedures for connecting to the grid. In addition, as renewables demand is increasing, the interconnection queue waiting times for clean energy generation and storage projects are also growing, DoE said.

The partnership will be launched on June 7. Participating organisations, DOE experts and DOE’s National Labs will develop a five-year roadmap that will include goals and pinpoint research gaps.

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