Eaton awarded $3M DOE grant for solar research

Eaton was awarded a $3 million grant by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) for research and development initiatives that enables wider adoption of solar power and energy storage.

Eaton, a power management company, will focus on developing a controller for distributed energy resources and loads, such as solar generation and battery storage. It would integrate data from smart meters to enable enhanced grid services that improve reliability in distribution systems.

“We’re delighted to be supporting the energy transition in the United States, driving solar research alongside leading thinkers in academia and industry,” Ramanath Ramakrishnan, executive vice president, and chief technology officer at Eaton. said. “Our strategic partnership with SETO is central to our efforts to advance intelligent power management innovation. We also very much appreciate the support of Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development. Thanks to this grant, we and our research partners can help make tomorrow’s energy systems more reliable, efficient, safe and sustainable.”

Eaton will partner with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Electric Power Research Institute, Pecan Street, Provo City Power and Commonwealth Edison on this effort.

“Technical innovation and lower-cost renewables are driving huge changes in how power is generated, stored and consumed,” Tim Avampato, senior manager, Eaton Research Labs, said. “Now is the perfect time to focus on building the capabilities we need to support a clean energy future. Our work will help maintain a reliable power grid, optimize the utilization of behind-the-meter solar generation, and improve the return on solar technology investments.”

The grant program invests in new projects that will lower solar electricity costs, boost solar manufacturing, and make solar systems more resilient to cyberattacks.