CPS Energy has been chosen by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to receive an allocation of approximately $30.2 million. These funds will further bolster CPS Energy’s ongoing efforts to fortify grid reliability and resilience. This financial support from the DOE will be directed toward advancing CPS Energy’s Community Energy Resiliency Program, which is primarily dedicated to innovative grid enhancements, including the installation of microgrids. These microgrids are designed to ensure uninterrupted power supply to meet the evolving needs of customers and businesses situated in the southern and southwestern regions of San Antonio. It is important to note that CPS Energy is required to match the DOE’s contribution with an equivalent commitment of $30.2 million, resulting in a combined investment totaling approximately $60.4 million.
“By leveraging this federal funding, CPS Energy will have more resources to deploy and grow the grid infrastructure with innovation in disadvantaged communities of the city. CPS Energy is eager to launch this landmark initiative as a community-owned utility,” said Richard Medina, Chief Energy Delivery Officer. “We are proud to be one out of a handful of public power utilities selected as recipients of smart grid grants. This grant is a testament to our innovative efforts, and we look forward to the work we get to do to provide our community with reliable and resilient power.”
“Extreme weather events fueled by climate change will continue to strain the nation’s aging transmission systems, but President Biden’s Investing in America agenda will ensure America’s power grid can provide reliable, affordable power,” said U.S Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “Today’s announcement represents the largest-ever direct investment in critical grid infrastructure, supporting projects that will harden systems, and improve energy reliability and affordability—all while generating union jobs for highly skilled workers.”
The provisionally approved funds are a component of the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program, which is made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and administered by the DOE’s Grid Deployment Office. The GRIP program strategically combines federal and private investments to ensure that communities nationwide have access to a dependable grid, capable of withstanding extreme weather conditions, while simultaneously delivering cost-effective, clean energy solutions. It also aims to stimulate local economic investment and job opportunities.
This federal grant signifies support for CPS Energy’s mission to establish a resilient, dependable, and cost-effective energy infrastructure, all the while promoting sustainability. Within this initiative, CPS Energy is set to invest in cutting-edge grid technologies to effectively manage the increasing energy demand and enhance grid efficiency. The investment will also drive renewable energy efforts, including the integration of microgrids, solar power, and battery storage in the southern sector of the city.
CPS Energy is actively collaborating with the DOE in the final approval process. Their plan envisions the completion of the Community Energy Resiliency Program within a span of five years.
