On May 13, 2024, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a final rule, Order No. 1920, to improve regional electric transmission planning and cost allocation. This final rule and subsequent modifications state that, among other things, transmission providers must develop a minimum of three distinct long-term scenarios using the best available data inputs and no less than a 20-year transmission planning horizon. Order 1920 also requires transmission providers to consider rapidly-deployable, alternative transmission technologies, including dynamic line ratings, advanced power flow control devices, advanced conductors, and transmission switching.
To further fortify America’s electric grid, strained by increased demand, and support long-term, forward-looking transmission planning, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Grid Deployment Office (GDO) expanded existing FERC Order 1920 technical assistance offerings to eligible utilities and regional planners in partnership with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). As part of the Department’s efforts to address the national energy emergency, these new offerings will provide high-impact technical assistance (TA) to support utilities and transmission planning organizations as they conduct long-term regional transmission planning, as required by FERC Orders Nos. 1920, 1920-A, and 1920-B.
This support, which focuses on utilities, regional transmission organizations (RTOs), and independent system operators (ISOs), joins GDO’s ongoing technical assistance related to FERC Order 1920, which is still available to relevant state entities, including public utility commissions and state energy offices. The state offerings are provided in partnership with the PNNL, NREL, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), and Argonne National Laboratory (ANL).
In partnership with NREL, PNNL, LBNL, ANL, Sandia National Laboratory, and the Idaho National Laboratory, GDO and the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy also provide technical assistance and resources to support utility and grid operators through the Utility and Grid Operator Technical Assistance in modernizing systems and planning for major industry challenges and opportunities, unrelated to FERC Order 1920.
This program consists of two types of offerings:
- “Deep Dive” is support for larger, longer-term TA (greater than 200 hours of support).
i. Deep Dive support has a one-time application window that closes on October 10, 2025. - “Expert Match” is assistance for smaller, discrete support (20-80 hours).
i. Expert Match is a rolling TA program available between October 10, 2025 and September 30, 2026, as funding and availability allow.
This technical assistance program supports utilities, RTOs, and ISOs with long-term regional transmission planning to meet the mandates of the FERC Order 1920. TA may take the form of:
- Technical analysis with National Laboratory staff and their modeling capabilities;
- Landscape assessments and research into technical modeling and analysis approaches;
- Reports or white papers;
- Stakeholder-convened discussions;
- Education and training through workshops and webinars; and/or
- Consultations with topical experts.
APPLICATION REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS
Each application will be reviewed on a rolling basis according to the review criteria provided below. The final selection of applications, however, will depend on the review criteria combined with additional review factors, such as the availability of funds, including leveraged funds from other DOE program offices. The review and selection process will be managed by GDO and national laboratory staff.
Review Criteria:
1. Merit of the application, including:
- Technical assistance requested is related to FERC Order 1920.
- Application is focused on a specific, actionable issue rather than requesting a broad range of support.
2. Significance of the issue with regard to state or national interests, including:
- Issues to be addressed are substantive.
- Requested TA is likely to have a significant impact, and learnings may be translated to other regions.
3. Timeliness, including:
- Requestor has shown a near-term need for technical assistance.
- Proposed schedule allows for sufficient time to address the request.
4. Alignment with national and DOE interests and National Lab capabilities.
Additional Review Factors:
1. Best represent issues of national importance.
2. Support geographic diversity.
3. Show greatest need.
APPLICATION SUBMITTAL PROCESS & INSTRUCTIONS
Utilities and RTO/ISOs can apply for TA by completing the one, standardized application form at https://www.energy.gov/gdo/contact-information-technical-assistance-application, for both Deep Dive and Expert Match offerings. Applicants will be notified of selection decision within 2 weeks of the application close period or the date of their TA application.
All other inquiries about the technical assistance and the application process can be directed to the program’s dedicated email account (GDO1920TA@hq.doe.gov).