CenterPoint Energy has been selected for a $50 million U.S. Department of Energy award to support advanced substation technology upgrades aimed at strengthening reliability and expanding electric capacity across the Greater Houston area.
DOE's Office of Electricity announced the award on Sept. 24 as part of its Speed to Power through Accelerated Reconductoring and other Key Advanced Transmission Technology Upgrades (SPARK) initiative. DOE announced 31 grid-improvement projects across 26 states totaling $5.25 billion, including $1.9 billion in federal funding.
CenterPoint said the project will make it one of the first U.S. utilities to deploy Siemens Energy technology designed to respond rapidly to changes in electricity demand and help stabilize the transmission grid. The company expects the upgrades to strengthen reliability during periods of high demand and increase capacity for current and future growth.
Jason Ryan, CenterPoint's executive vice president of Regulatory Services and Government Affairs, said the company's goal is to build "the most resilient coastal grid in the nation" for its 2.9 million Greater Houston Customers.
The project is also expected to create more than 500 local construction and installation jobs. CenterPoint said the technology improvements are intended to support the region's growing energy needs.
DOE assistant secretary for the Office of Electricity, Katie Jereza: "Through the SPARK program, we are investing in vital projects across the country that expand energy grid capacity, strengthen reliability and resiliency, and support the economic development of communities."
Texas Public Utility Commissioner Kathleen Jackson said the award-funded technology could benefit generations of CenterPoint customers and strengthen the broader Texas grid.
