Collaborations Advancing Rapid Load Additions (CARLA)

ConnectWerx, a Partnership Intermediary under a Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) with the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Grid Deployment Office, has announced the Collaborations Advancing Rapid Load Additions (CARLA) funding opportunity. This initiative aims to support collaboratives in developing new frameworks for system planning, cost recovery, and risk allocation to address the increasing demand for electricity. The focus is on ensuring reliable, affordable service while minimizing rate increases for residential, small commercial, and industrial customers. The funding opportunity seeks to engage collaboratives that include at least one state or public utility commission as the lead applicant, along with at least one grid operator and one large load customer or developer. Additional participants may include public utilities, non-profit and for-profit organizations, and other entities involved in electricity demand planning. Awarded projects will provide technical support for analyzing demand growth and planning necessary grid modernization investments. This includes forecasting demand, identifying opportunities for flexible loads, planning for new generation and interconnection, and designing cost recovery structures. The DOE expects to award up to $28 million in total, with up to five awards anticipated under this initiative. The application process involves two stages: a concept paper, which is encouraged but not required, due on April 14, 2025, and a full application due on May 8, 2025. Applicants must submit all required documents in specified formats, including project narratives, budget workbooks, and project schedules. Late submissions will not be accepted. Eligibility is restricted to domestic entities with expertise in energy systems, project finance, and regulatory policy. The lead applicant must be a state entity, such as a state energy office or public utility commission, and the team must include a grid operator and a point load proponent (e.g., a data center or energy-intensive manufacturer). Applicants must also certify that they are not owned or controlled by a foreign government classified as a "Country of Risk" by the DOE, such as China, Russia, North Korea, or Iran. Applications will be evaluated based on three primary criteria: technical merit and impact (60%), project feasibility and approach (20%), and team qualifications and capabilities (20%). Additional considerations include geographic distribution, alignment with DOE priorities, and potential for achieving programmatic objectives. Selected projects will enter a negotiation phase with ConnectWerx and the DOE, culminating in a business-to-business (B2B) agreement. The DOE has scheduled informational sessions and office hours, though specific dates are yet to be determined. Additionally, ConnectWerx has established a teaming partner list for organizations looking to collaborate on applications. Selected projects are expected to be announced in June 2025, with work commencing in summer 2025. Questions regarding the application process can be directed to info@connectwerx.org.