DOE announces $10 million for grid reliability projects

The Department of Energy (DOE) said it is giving $10 million in grants six projects to help deploy advanced electric grid software.

The software is meant to better detect quick changes in grid conditions and improve the grid’s reliability, DOE said Wednesday.

{mosads}“Through advanced sensors and monitoring devices, U.S. utilities now have unprecedented insight into the power grid — helping industry make decisions that may prevent power outages before they happen and adeptly respond to changing grid conditions without disruption,” Patricia Hoffman, who heads DOE’s electricity delivery and reliability office, said in a statement.

“By partnering with utilities and software developers, the Energy Department can help the U.S. electric industry maintain more reliable and resilient power systems,” Hoffman said.

The systems use synchrophasors to provide data about 30 times per second, which is about 100 times faster than conventional technology.

The various utilities and companies getting DOE funding will provide at least as much money to match the grants.