OE Grid Galaxy - January Edition

Message from Gene:

As my time in public service comes to an end, I would like to take a moment to express my profound gratitude for the high honor I’ve enjoyed of leading the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity (OE). Serving the American people in this role has afforded me the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the brightest and most committed people I have ever encountered over my 35-year career in clean, affordable energy–people who are driven each and every day by our mission of ensuring that every American has access to a power grid that is reliable, resilient, secure, and affordable.

My appointment as an Assistant Secretary of Energy made it possible for me to witness first-hand as OE made incredible progress and delivered inspirational results. We’ve teamed with scientists and researchers in DOE’s National Laboratories to drive new discoveries and foster amazing scientific breakthroughs. We’ve supported the manufacturers, engineers, and entrepreneurs who are advancing cutting-edge technologies from the lab bench to readiness for the American power grid. We’ve provided tools and analysis for the planners and operators of enormous regional transmission systems, and we’ve lent a helping hand to the community volunteers who are shepherding neighborhood microgrid projects. We’ve listened to and partnered with utilities of all sizes across America to help them seize the opportunities and confront the challenges of an increasingly complex 21st century power system, and we’ve assisted policymakers, legislators, and regulators who are trying to do their part, too. But perhaps the most gratifying part of the last two years has been seeing the difference our collective work has made in the well-being of the American people.

This has been the experience of a lifetime, and I hope my welcome remarks in this issue and in past editions of OE Grid Galaxy have appropriately conveyed the immense optimism I feel as those of us in the public sector team up with our partners in the private sector to continue to make the American power grid the envy of the world, and to secure an even brighter future for our citizens. I know this country is capable of great things because I have seen them happen. Working together, we can ensure that our nation’s energy needs will continue to be met reliably, responsibly, and sustainably.

On behalf of everyone here in OE, we wish you all a very happy new year filled with light, prosperity, and joy!

In partnership,

Small Modular Reactors Enhance Electricity Reliability for Campuses

Like many university campuses around the country, the 美国伊利诺伊大学香槟分校 (UIUC) campus uses a microgrid to power its facilities. Microgrids are small electric grids that are self-sufficient and can operate independently of larger utility grids. They are especially suited for university campuses because they can provide backup power when there is a failure in the main utility grid and can also island, or isolate, buildings that are having problems so the power failure does not affect the other buildings on campus.

The OE's Microgrid Program recently concluded a scoping study of the campus microgrid at UIUC with a focus on integrating a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) into the generation mix. SMRs are advanced nuclear reactors that have a power capacity of up to 300 MW(e) per unit (about one-third the size of traditional nuclear power reactors). The nuclear power industry is rapidly innovating to meet the increasing energy demands. Advanced technologies, such as SMRs, can power the grid as well as tightly integrated energy systems, such as campus microgrids, to provide reliable, resilient electricity.

With the Microgrid Program’s support, the Department of Nuclear, Plasma & Radiological Engineering (NPRE) at UIUC conducted the scoping study in collaboration with the Xendee Corporation. Xendee provided the microgrid design and operation optimization software with enhanced SMR modeling capabilities that were co-developed with the Idaho National Laboratory .

The study modeled and analyzed the entire UIUC campus microgrid. All facilities were modeled: hundreds of buildings, laboratories, dormitories, computing centers, chilled water and other infrastructure. The generation portfolio included coal, natural gas, fuel oil, solar and wind. UIUC’s energy system is centered around a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) facility, which provides both electricity and steam for the campus. Remaining electricity demand is met through connections with the local utility.

Read the full blog to learn more.

OE Updates ESGC Roadmap

The Energy Storage Strategy and Roadmap (SRM), released on December 20, 2024, updates the 2020 Energy Storage Grand Challenge (ESGC) Roadmap in consideration of the progress made across the energy storage sector and reflects OE’s recent activities in support of its energy storage mission and vision.?

The SRM is a comprehensive energy storage strategy to develop and domestically manufacture energy storage technologies that can meet all U.S. market demands by 2030.

The SRM is posted in draft form for public comment to inform its final version.

OE Employee Spotlight: Budget Analyst Jay Schell

What exactly do you do?

I assist the programs in planning, executing and some analysis of appropriated funds. I work with OE leadership to project, formulate and assist in managing the Program Direction funds.

What was your favorite project that you were involved in?

The most rewarding, and aggravating, project, was working on hurricane recovery efforts for Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. I was proud of the work that was done and glad when it was completed.

What impact did that project have on the grid or the everyday lives of Americans?

The hurricane recovery had direct impacts on the residents of Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands. I also helped DOE staff respond to this disaster.

What do you enjoy most about the team you’re on?

I enjoy interacting with OE staff and the passion that OE staff has for its mission.

The Secretary Achievement Award

Secretary Jennifer Granholm awarded the Grid Storage Launchpad Project Delivery Team with The Secretary of Energy Achievement Award in an award ceremony in December 2024. Each year, the Secretary recognizes select individuals and group project members who have shown exceptional creativity, drive, and commitment that has had a lasting impact on the Department’s mission. OE is honored to share this award with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory .

Watt's New

Did You Know?

After almost two decades of relatively little change, consumption of electricity grew by 2% in the United States during 2024, and the U.S. Energy Information Administration forecasts it will continue growing at that rate in 2025 and 2026. If electricity consumption grows in each of the next two years, it would mark the first three years of consecutive growth since 2005–07. The growth in electricity consumption in this forecast is mostly the result of growing power demand in the commercial and industrial sectors.