In-Depth Partnership Projects

Six community teams were selected in 2023, and another three in 2024, for in-depth partnerships through the Energy to Communities (E2C) program.

Managed by NREL, with support from Argonne National Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, teams evaluate potential energy scenarios by applying robust modeling, analysis, and validation to reduce implementation risks. 

Illustration of molecules connected together in a star-shaped pattern.

Standard In-Depth Partnerships

Chicago, Illinois

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, Commonwealth Edison, and Respiratory Health Association aim to refine tools and analyses to help achieve transportation goals. These improved tools will help the region better understand opportunities and challenges from implementing transportation technologies, including passenger and freight travel electrification and energy-efficient mobility options, while assessing cross-sectoral interactions with the grid.

Colorado Springs, Colorado

The City of Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs Utilities, Energy Resource Center, the Housing and Building Association of Colorado Springs, and Careers in Construction Colorado seek to validate concepts that aggregate power across complex energy systems, including virtual power plants. This will support the integration of large amounts of solar, grid-connected buildings, electric vehicles, and other distributed resources.

Northeastern Minnesota 

Minnesota is the nation’s largest producer of the iron ore used for steel production. Iron Range and Duluth-based entities including Ecolibrium3 and Itasca Economic Development Corporation, with support from the City of Duluth and utility Minnesota Power, will work with U.S. Department of Energy lab experts to assess the feasibility of an eventual green iron plant and affiliated workforce in the region and the associated renewable and hydrogen infrastructure. Additional activities will take place to engage local communities on topics surrounding industrial energy systems research and opportunities

Lane County, Oregon 

Lane County, Oregon, has experienced wildfires, ice storms, heat waves, flooding, and more just in the past few years, damaging the electric grid and causing extended customer power outages. Lane County, the Springfield Utility Board, Emerald People’s Utility District, and The Center for Rural Livelihoods will work with Department of Energy lab experts to develop distributed energy resources and grid modernization technologies to improve the reliability and resilience of electricity services. 

Nashville, Tennessee 

Nashville is among the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the nation, putting strain on its aging energy infrastructure. Nashville Electric Service, the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Middle-West Tennessee Clean Fuels, and Urban League of Middle Tennessee will receive support to develop an integrated transportation and energy roadmap to achieve metro-wide energy goals while increasing resiliency and reliability for residents.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The City of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh's Department of City Planning, Duquesne Light Co., and the Green Building Alliance plan to deploy Smart Electric Energy Districts as part of a comprehensive approach to achieving an affordable electricity system. These districts are comprised of "smart" energy infrastructure—such as rooftop solar, appliances, buildings, energy storage, and electric vehicles chargers—and can work together to meet both grid and community needs throughout the city and surrounding areas.

Sitka, Alaska

The City and Borough of Sitka, City and Borough of Sitka Electric Department, Renewable Energy Alaska Project, and Mt. Edgecumbe High School aim to optimize their existing hydropower generation.

Energyshed In-Depth Partnerships

Energyshed in-depth partnerships include multiple adjacent geographic areas, communities, electric utilities, coordinating bodies, and/or jurisdictions.

Delaware Valley, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey

The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, Philadelphia Electric Co., Bucks County Opportunity Council, Community Action Agency of Delaware County, and the Community Action Development Commission of Montgomery County aim to identify the most impactful energy solutions for the Delaware Valley region and create a Regional Clean Energy Activation Hub that will help facilitate and streamline procurement for identified technologies across its 200+ municipalities.

Molokai, Hawaii

The Hawaii State Energy Office, Hawaiian Electric, Hoʻāhu Energy Cooperative Molokai, Moloka'i Clean Energy Hui, and Shake Energy Collaborative aim to develop and validate a portfolio of renewable energy generation projects that meets 100% of Molokaʻi's electricity needs while supporting community values.

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