News

DOE seeking comment on $20M in rebates to support electric system upgrades

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is seeking public comments on draft guidance that would provide $20 million of rebates to support electric system upgrades.

Specifically, the rebates will help utilities, commercial equipment, and building operators make distribution transformers and electric motor systems more efficient.

Replacing aging electric motor systems helps companies make pumps, fans, and compressors more efficient, providing energy and cost savings opportunities. Industrial and commercial electric motors represent about 29 percent of the total electric grid load. Electric motor systems provide the ability to control the speed of electric motors that drive a variety of commercial and industrial equipment, including fans, pumps, and compressors. This, in turn, would save commercial building owners and operators money on their annual utility bills.

Further, upgrading distribution transformers increases resilience and energy efficiency. Distribution transformers reduce voltage to a suitable level for consumers in commercial, residential, and industrial applications. Newer transformers are more resilient and energy efficient, reliably moving electricity from where it’s made to where it’s needed with fewer losses. Rebates incentivize and offset the costs of upgrading these critical grid components.

“More efficient transformers and electric motor systems will reduce energy use, save companies money, and carry more clean energy to American homes and businesses,” U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm said. “We’re harnessing input across America to strengthen our approach to recharging our nation’s infrastructure with the best available technologies at our disposal while slashing energy bills and combatting the climate crisis.”

The rebates come from President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure law. Public responses will help the DOE design programs to achieve the goals and priorities established under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The deadline to respond is 30 days from publication in the Federal Register.

Dave Kovaleski

Recent Posts

South Carolina legislation will help Duke Energy Progress customers save money

Innovative legislation will help Duke Energy Progress customers in South Carolina save $35 million in repair costs from a series…

15 hours ago

Appalachian Power, Wheeling Power file cost recovery submissions for West Virginia

Looking to recover costs associated with increased fuel and vegetation management expenditures, Appalachian Power and Wheeling Power recently submitted new…

15 hours ago

Hawaiian Electric launches online siting tool for electric vehicle charging stations

As a way to aid the deployment of electric vehicle charging stations, Hawaiian Electric this week released the online Electric…

15 hours ago

AEP issues 2024 corporate sustainability report

American Electric Power (AEP) released its 2024 Corporate Sustainability Report, which documents its sustainable business practices, strategy, performance and impact.…

15 hours ago

Louisville Gas and Electric and Kentucky Utilities issue RFP for solar, wind and hydro

Louisville Gas and Electric Company (LG&E) and Kentucky Utilities (KU) issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for new solar, wind,…

2 days ago

Southern Power brings Wyoming’s first solar facility online

Wyoming gained its first solar facility this week, and Southern Power its 30th, with the beginning of operations at the…

2 days ago

This website uses cookies.