On April 24, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released its “Pathways to Commercial Liftoff: Innovative Grid Deployment,” marking the tenth installment in the Liftoff series which launched in March 2023. This report demonstrates how commercially available advanced grid solutions—such as advanced conductors, dynamic line rating, and energy storage—can cost effectively increase the existing grid’s capacity to support upwards of 20–100 GW peak demand growth. These technologies would also improve grid reliability, resilience, and affordability for consumers. Near-term deployment of commercially available but underutilized advanced grid solutions can significantly bolster the resilience of domestic energy systems and support the Biden-Harris Administration’s ambitious goal of a net-zero emissions economy by 2050.
DOE held a webinar on Monday, May 13, 2024, at 10:30 AM ET to provide additional information about the Pathways to Commercial Liftoff report.