To jump start the modernization of the nation’s aging energy infrastructure, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) invested $4.5 billion in the electric sector — matched by private funding to reach a total of about $9.5 billion — so that Americans could start experiencing the benefits of the future grid sooner. Of the $4.5 billion, $3.4 billion was used to help industry accelerate the deployment of advanced technologies that are now keeping the lights on more reliably and efficiently and reducing costs. The Recovery Act also provided funding for more than 50 smart grid workforce development projects that helped prepare the next generation of workers in the utility and electrical manufacturing industries and six projects that strengthened the capabilities for long-term analysis and planning in the three interconnections serving the lower 48 states. Funding also allowed States to hire new staff and retrain existing employees to ensure they can quickly and effectively review proposed electricity projects, supported the development of interoperability standards, and allowed 47 States, Washington DC, and 43 cities to develop energy assurance plans for natural disasters.

Below are links to some of the case studies generated as part of the ARRA work. As additional case studies are added, links will be added to this page.