Voucher Opportunity 11 Overview

i2X Interconnection Cost Reduction Solutions for Transmission (iCRS-T) Voucher Program

Description

ENERGYWERX, through a Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Interconnection Innovation e-Xchange (i2X) program, is looking to fund the advancement of electric system modeling capabilities of U.S. transmission providers through the Interconnection Cost Reduction Solutions for Transmission Grid (iCRS-T) Voucher Program. This program will help address the National Energy Emergency by supporting innovations to streamline and expedite interconnection services by implementing cutting-edge technology solutions, such as grid enhancing technologies, flexible interconnection, and many other innovations.

To usher in a new era of American prosperity, we must ensure all Americans and domestic industries have access to affordable, reliable, and secure electricity. United States electricity demand is growing at an extraordinary pace due to the rapid rise of large commercial and industrial loads (e.g., data centers) and electrification. The challenge is compounded as Americans face rising electricity prices across the country.  

The iCRS-T Voucher Program will provide $4 million to fund the partnership between U.S. transmission providers (Voucher Recipients) with U.S.-based organizations specialized in advanced electric system modeling capabilities (Voucher Providers) to improve their interconnection services. These improvements will focus on cost-effective and reliable integration of power-electronics-interfaced large loads, generators, storage, and hybrid combinations, applied grid solutions including grid-enhancing technologies (GETs), advanced controls to enable flexibility and improve operational performance, or in-house expertise in electromagnetic transient (EMT) modeling. These efforts will deliver a more affordable and reliable bulk power system through broadened technical capabilities of U.S. transmission providers.

For general information on Voucher Programs see the Vouchers Overview.

Objective

Background

The mission of i2X is to enable simple, fast, and affordable interconnection while enhancing the reliability and security of our electric grid. To solve complex interconnection challenges collaboratively, i2X developed practical solutions for transmission interconnection through extensive stakeholder engagement. These solutions address key issues such as process simplicity, grid reliability, and economic efficiency of interconnection services in the bulk power system. DOE also launched the Collaborations Advancing Rapid Load Additions (CARLA) in 2025. CARLA focuses on developing new approaches for system planning, cost recovery, and risk allocation for electricity demand growth, in ways new large loads are added faster while minimizing risks of electricity rate increases for households and small businesses.

Challenge

‍The demand for electricity in the United States has increased rapidly for the past few years as homes, commercial buildings, and industrial facilities electrify, manufacturing hubs expand, and energy-intensive sectors, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers, continue to grow. Current grid capabilities and interconnection services are unable to meet America’s rising energy needs effectively and efficiently. Current challenges require innovative interconnection services to support solutions that maximize grid use and mitigate costly grid upgrades (such as hybrid facilities and flexible interconnection). There is an urgent need to rapidly transform the current system and unleash American energy to keep pace with the growing electricity demand.

Administration Priorities

On January 20^th, 2025, the White House declared a National Energy Emergency and followed with a call to action through the executive orders Removing Barriers To American Leadership In Artificial Intelligence and Unleashing American Energy. In response to these priorities, i2X supports and augments DOE actions to maximize the use of federal resources such that state and local governments, utilities, grid operators, grid customers, and other stakeholders address interconnection constraints and meet new demand in a cost effective and efficient manner.  

Focus

The iCRS-T Program aims to address transmission grid interconnection challenges with $4 million to support innovative strategies that increase affordable and reliable interconnection of new loads and energy generation resources by linking transmission providers with technology experts and training. By optimizing existing grid resources and embracing novel ways to manage electricity use, transmission providers can unlock existing capacity and add new resources needed to meet data center-driven load growth while lowering costs for all Americans.  

iCRS-T will increase transmission providers’ understanding and application of advanced interconnection topics to implement cost reduction solutions. Transmission providers will receive tailored support in modeling power electronics (in large data center loads and generation resources), controls for the flexible operation of data center loads, energy storage, generation resources, and hybrid facilities, and underutilized advanced transmission solutions including grid enhancing technologies. These new modeling capabilities can give transmission providers more cost-saving options and either reduce the need for costly network upgrades or provide a faster path for interconnection alongside more extensive transmission upgrades. Additionally, Voucher Providers will train transmission providers in modeling innovative transmission technologies and controls, including incorporating these into electromagnetic transient (EMT) studies.

Funding Level‍

DOE will fund 16 to 30 Voucher Provider/Recipient matches with projects expected to last up to two years. The value of each Voucher will depend on the service requested, with the estimated value of support services per Recipient ranging from $50,000 to $250,000. Vouchers will be distributed as in-kind support, meaning that ENERGYWERX will directly reimburse the Voucher Provider for the work they have completed on behalf of the Voucher Recipients.

Application Dates

This opportunity will open for Voucher Provider applications on February 19, 2026, and applications will be accepted until April 2, 2026. This opportunity is anticipated to open for Voucher Recipient applications in the Spring of 2026. DOE reserves the right to request additional information about applications prior to selection, if necessary. To receive reminders about this and future opportunities, sign up to Join Our Ecosystem.

For more information or to become a Voucher Provider click here.

More information about becoming a Voucher Recipient will be announced soon.

Eligibility

This Opportunity will be conducted in two phases. Voucher Providers will be selected first, followed by the selection of Voucher Recipients matched with the Voucher Provider capabilities.

Voucher Providers (with specialized capabilities): U.S.-based public or private companies, nonprofit organizations, and academic institutions with one or more advanced electric-system-modeling capability directly relevant to the U.S. bulk power system can be Voucher Providers. Capabilities of interest include but are not limited to:

• detailed modeling of power-electronics-interfaced data center loads or generation,
• power electronics control for improved performance without adverse system control interactions,
• dynamic system studies,
• modeling and implementation of applied grid solutions such as dynamic line ratings and power flow controllers,  
• EMT modeling and simulation, and
• bulk power system transmission interconnection standards and modeling.

Firms may be a part of a larger international organization with multiple facilities, but work must be performed in the United States, and the U.S.-based firm must generally operate independently with a significant level of autonomy in modeling power electronics in large data center loads, power electronics in inverter-based resources, controls for the flexible operation of data center loads, storage, generation resources, and hybrid facilities, and advanced transmission technologies that are currently underutilized.

Voucher Recipients (Transmission Providers): Public or private firms that provide transmission to the U.S. bulk power system can be Voucher Recipients. Voucher Recipients should be responsible for modeling, maintaining, and upgrading the transmission system and have a need to advance their capabilities to affordably and reliably interconnect large data center loads, generation resources, storage devices, or a hybrid combination.