The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity (OE) has awarded nearly $3.7 million to three communities under the Energy Storage for Social Equity (ES4SE) Program.
This funding aims to empower underserved and frontline communities by leveraging energy storage technology to enhance resilience and energy flexibility.
By promoting equitable access to affordable and reliable electricity, this initiative aligns with the Biden Administration’s Justice40 goals.
Addressing Energy Insecurity in Vulnerable Communities
Nationwide, low-income households disproportionately face high energy burdens and energy insecurity, often sacrificing basic necessities like food and medicine to pay energy bills.
Gene Rodrigues, Assistant Secretary for Electricity, emphasizes the potential of energy storage advancements to alleviate these challenges and provide more affordable and reliable electricity to these communities.
From Technical Assistance to Project Deployment
The ES4SE program consists of two phases:
- Technical Assistance (TA): Launched in March 2022 with $2 million in funding, the TA phase engaged 14 communities in a comprehensive program focused on developing strategies for energy access, affordability, decarbonization, and resilience.
- Project Development and Deployment Assistance (PDDA): Building on the TA phase, the PDDA phase provides cost-share assistance to selected communities to implement their clean energy and storage plans.
Empowering Communities through Innovative Projects
The three communities selected for the final round of project cost-share assistance are:
- Together New Orleans: This coalition is expanding its network of solar + storage resiliency hubs, also known as community lighthouses, to provide essential resources during power outages. The ES4SE funding will enable the construction of seven additional lighthouses.
- Open Door Mission: Partnering with Unity Renewables, Open Door Mission will install solar PV and battery energy storage at its Plymouth Avenue North facility in Rochester, NY, to enhance resilience and reduce costs. This project will replace fossil fuel generators, mitigating negative health impacts from pollution.
- 10Power and Akiing 8th Fire: This collaboration will expand an existing solar PV array and add energy storage at the Pine Point elementary school and community center in Ponsford, MN. This project will lower electricity rates, support energy self-sufficiency goals, and create a resilience hub for the community.
Transforming Plans into Action
With these selections, OE has now supported a total of seven ES4SE communities in transforming their clean energy and storage plans into tangible projects.
These projects will improve resilience, reduce pollution, and increase affordability, ultimately benefiting underserved communities across the United States.
To learn more about the Office of Electricity and its initiatives, visit their website.