Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) - Speed to Power through Accelerated Reconductoring and other Key Advanced Transmission Technology Upgrades (SPARK)
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- DE-FOA-0003580
- Agency
-
National Energy Technology Lab
Department of Energy
- Applications due
- Award size
- Up to $250,000,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Cooperative Agreement
- Category
-
- Energy
- Eligible applicants
-
- Other
- Full announcement
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory, Office of Electricity, is seeking applications for the Speed to Power through Accelerated Reconductoring and other Key Advanced Transmission Technology Upgrades (SPARK) program to fund electric grid infrastructure modernization projects that combine physical capacity improvements with advanced transmission technologies. Applicants must demonstrate measurable improvements in grid capacity and system value by integrating solutions such as reconductoring or infrastructure upgrades with operational efficiency and flexibility enhancements, while prioritizing rapid implementation and utilization of existing rights of way. Key objectives include addressing load demand growth, improving resource adequacy, strengthening grid reliability and affordability, and enhancing system resilience and security. The evaluation process applies weighted criteria of 40% for technical approach and impact, 20% for financial and market viability, 20% for management and organization capability, and 20% for project workplan. The concept paper deadline is April 2, 2026, with full applications due May 20, 2026 (both at 5:00 p.m. ET), and awards are anticipated in August 2026.
Approximately $1.9 billion in federal funding is available across three topic areas with varying award structures: Topic Area 1 (Grid Resilience) offers $427 million for 5-10 awards of $10-100 million each with a 50% cost share minimum (25% for small utilities); Topic Area 2 (Smart Grid) provides $614 million for 25-40 awards of $10-50 million each with 50% cost share; and Topic Area 3 (Grid Innovation Program) allocates $862 million for 3-8 awards of $100-250 million each with 50% cost share. Project performance periods extend through October 2030 or January 2031, with funding beginning October 2026 through January 2027. Awards will be structured as cooperative agreements with substantial Department of Energy involvement, and federal funding is contingent on Go/No-Go decision points during project execution. Projects can be performed across the United States, with emphasis on rapid implementation and measurable improvements in electric grid infrastructure.
Synopsis
2 versions
Update #2 · Latest ·
Modification 000001: Issued to change the Informational Webinar posting date; modified NOFO Part 1, Section II.A.2 - Participant Limitations to clarify that Tennessee Valley Authority is eligible to apply as a subrecipient under all Topic Areas; Section III.F. - Topic Area 1:Grid Resilience (IIJA Section 40101(c)) to clarify the wording around applications that are not of interest; and Section IV.C - Concept Paper to delete the sentence "Each concept paper must be limited to a single concept, technology, or project." Please see the NOFO for a full description of the modification. -
Modification 000001: Issued to change the Informational Webinar posting date; modified NOFO Part 1, Section II.A.2 - Participant Limitations to clarify that Tennessee Valley Authority is eligible to apply as a subrecipient under all Topic Areas; Section III.F. - Topic Area 1:Grid Resilience (IIJA Section 40101(c)) to clarify the wording around applications that are not of interest; and Section IV.C - Concept Paper to delete the sentence "Each concept paper must be limited to a single concept, technology, or project."
Please see the NOFO for a full description of the modification.
SPARK is an opportunity to meet load demand growth and resource adequacy, and to address critical national, interregional, and regional needs. OE achieves these goals by stimulating investment in power system infrastructure and building partnerships between states, local governments, tribes, and power system operators to enhance reliability and affordability of the electric grid.
Projects submitted under this NOFO must demonstrate measurable improvements in electric grid capacity and system value (usefulness), combining physical capacity gains, which include solutions such as reconductoring or other infrastructure upgrades with operational efficiency and/or flexibility from other Advanced Transmission Technologies (ATTs). Applications must show how these complementary technologies expand transfer capability, strengthen reliability and resource adequacy, and reduce consumer cost impact while utilizing existing rights of way. DOE will prioritize projects that can be implemented quickly to deliver durable physical upgrades and dynamic operational gains that together increase the value, performance, security, resilience, affordability, and reliability of the nation's electric grid.
Update #1 ·
SPARK is an opportunity to meet load demand growth and resource adequacy, and to address critical national, interregional, and regional needs. OE achieves these goals by stimulating investment in power system infrastructure and building partnerships between states, local governments, tribes, and power system operators to enhance reliability and affordability of the electric grid.
Projects submitted under this NOFO must demonstrate measurable improvements in electric grid capacity and system value (usefulness), combining physical capacity gains, which include solutions such as reconductoring or other infrastructure upgrades with operational efficiency and/or flexibility from other Advanced Transmission Technologies (ATTs). Applications must show how these complementary technologies expand transfer capability, strengthen reliability and resource adequacy, and reduce consumer cost impact while utilizing existing rights of way. DOE will prioritize projects that can be implemented quickly to deliver durable physical upgrades and dynamic operational gains that together increase the value, performance, security, resilience, affordability, and reliability of the nation's electric grid.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| URL eXCHANGE NOFO 3580.docx | DOCX document | |
| DE-FOA-0003580_SPARK_NOFO_Part 1_MOD_1.pdf |
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