The Grid Deployment Office (GDO) works within the Generation Credits, Transmission, and Grid Modernization Divisions to leverage unique authorities to drive transmission investment; improve resource adequacy by maintaining and investing in critical generation facilities; improve transmission and distribution system resilience; and provide access to expertise, capabilities, and technical assistance on a variety of transformational grid modernization and market strategies.

As part of its work, GDO oversees more than $26 billion in funding, including historic investment from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA, also commonly known at the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law [BIL]) and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA).

The Generation Credits Division works with existing generation facilities to ensure resilience and reliability, and works to improve electricity markets at the wholesale and distribution levels. Its work includes three programs.

• The Civil Nuclear Credit program oversees a $6 billion investment to prevent premature retirement of existing zero-carbon nuclear plants. The program is available for plants that would otherwise retire and are certified as safe to continue operations.
• The Hydroelectric Incentives program oversees an investment of more than $750 million in existing hydroelectric facilities to improve efficiency, maintain dam safety, reduce environmental impacts, and ensure generators continue to provide emission-free electricity.
• The Wholesale Markets Analysis program works to improve electricity markets at the wholesale and distribution levels, and will conduct resilience modeling, evaluate markets, and assess risk of energy infrastructure.

The Transmission Division fully utilizes DOE’s unique tools and authorities for coordination, planning, financing, and permitting to drive transmission investment. It oversees grid infrastructure, permitting and technical assistance; federal permitting coordination; transmission planning; commercial facilitation; and transmission-related engagement, outreach, and strategic initiatives. This includes evaluation and implementation of DOE policies and programs such as the Transmission Facilitation Program, the Transmission Siting and Economic Development Grants program, and Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct) authorities and other related energy authorities.

The Grid Modernization Division is responsible for developing activities that prevent outages and enhance the resilience of the electric grid while serving as the catalyst for the development of new and upgraded high-capacity electric transmission lines nationwide. It also oversees State and Tribal assistance programs. This Division manages the Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants and the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program. The GRIP Program includes the Grid Resilience Utility and Industry Grants, the Smart Grid Grants, and, in conjunction with DOE’s Office of Clean Energy Deployment, the Grid Innovation Program.

The Grid Modernization Division also manages the Territory and Recovery Assistance work. This work is primarily focused on helping Puerto Rico reach their renewable energy target of 100% by 2050, while reducing the use of fossil fuels, minimizing greenhouse gas emissions, and maintaining initiatives that focus on mitigation, adaptation, and resilience.