U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Energy Department Awards $3.7 Million to Three Communities for Energy Storage Social Equity Initiative

The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Electricity (OE) has selected three communities to receive nearly $3.7 million (corrected amount) in project development assistance under the Energy Storage for Social Equity (ES4SE) Program. OE launched ES4SE in 2021 providing $9 million to help underserved and frontline communities leverage energy storage to increase resilience and maximize energy flexibility. This funding will promote an equitable clean energy transition, advance more affordable and reliable electricity, and support the Biden Administration's Justice40 goals.

Nationally, more than 65% of low-income households face a high energy burden and more than 30% of all households experienced some form of energy insecurity, sometimes even foregoing food, medicine, and heating or cooling comfort to pay an energy bill.

"Advancements in energy storage can help communities receive more affordable and reliable electricity," said Gene Rodrigues, Assistant Secretary for Electricity. "We are thrilled that these communities can now advance in assessing their energy challenges, evaluating solutions, and finding partners to support them in meeting their energy goals."

The first phase of ES4SE Technical Assistance (TA) was launched in March 2022 with $2 million. OE selected 14 communities to participate in a comprehensive and personalized TA program that focused on providing a strategy for participating communities for energy access and affordability, decarbonization, environmental impact, resilience, and social impact. 

OE selected four communities in June 2023 for cost-share assistance for the second phase of the ES4SE program, Project Development and Deployment Assistance (PDDA). The additional three community selections below represent the final entities that will participate in project cost-share assistance:

• Together New Orleans, a coalition of congregations and community-based organizations, is continuing its work of deploying community lighthouses across the greater New Orleans area. Each lighthouse is a solar + storage resiliency hub that can provide charging and cooling stations, lights, food, and other vital resources and information when the power goes out. Out of 24 lighthouses planned, three are nearing construction completion. ES4SE project cost share funding will enable Together New Orleans to break ground on seven additional lighthouses. Award amount: $806,000.

• Open Door Mission's Plymouth Avenue North facility in Rochester, NY is a provider of critical community services. The facility has day rooms and a commercial kitchen and serves as a community shelter with hot meal provision. The facility also functions as an emergency shelter during power outages or severe weather events. The Mission, in partnership with Unity Renewables, will use ES4SE cost share funding to install solar PV and battery energy storage at the facility to provide resilience and cost savings. The clean energy systems will take the place of fossil fuel generators during power outages and will mitigate the negative health impacts from noise and air pollution normally associated with use of fossil generators. Award amount: $1,100,000.

• 10Power and Akiing 8th Fire are working with the Pine Point School District and the White Earth community in Ponsford, MN to bolster community resiliency and decrease electric utility costs through clean energy systems. This project will expand an existing 21 kW ground-mount PV array at the Pine Point elementary school and community center through the addition of an energy storage system and expansion of PV capacity. Adding storage to the school will help lower electricity rates, support the White Earth community's goals of energy self-sufficiency, and make the school a resilience hub for the community during power outages or other disasters. Award amount: $1,750,000.

With these selectees, OE has now provided a total of seven ES4SE communities with project development assistance to transform their clean energy and storage plans into live systems that improve resilience, reduce pollution, and increase affordability.

Learn more about the Office of Electricity.