LEAN Energy US and Vrinda Inc. organized an engaging webinar with a panel of experts from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and energy industry.

This webinar focused on:

• Overview of DOE GRIP funding opportunities and expectations

• US trends and need for grid flexibility and resilience

• Lessons learned from recently concluded GRIP Grant awards

• Role of LEAN Energy US in supporting communities with DOE Grants

• Partnership opportunities to fill the gap at the local level

Panelists:
- Isabel Sepulveda (Senior Project Manager, Smart Grid - GRIP, U.S. Department of Energy) is the Project Manager for the GRIP Smart Grid Grants in the Grid Deployment Office at USDOE. She oversees the selection, award, and ongoing management of a $3B portfolio of smart grid modernization projects across the United States.

- Navneet Trivedi (Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer - Vrinda Inc.) works with utilities, policymakers, regulators in US and internationally to deploy innovative business models to harness the full potential of emerging technologies.

- Alison Elliott (Executive Director - LEAN Energy US) has participated in the launch of several California Community Choice Aggregation (CCA)s and has developed a strong understanding of the energy sector and CCA history and politics across the US.

- Claire Dépit (Director of Public Policy - LEAN Energy US) is responsible for engaging with federal agencies and facilitating CCA growth strategy nationally. 

About:
- The U.S. Department of Energy: As part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Grid Deployment Office is administering a $10.5 billion Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program to enhance grid flexibility and improve the resilience of the power system against growing threats of extreme weather and climate change. These programs will accelerate the deployment of transformative projects that will help to ensure the reliability of the power sector’s infrastructure, so all American communities have access to affordable, reliable, clean electricity anytime, anywhere.

- LEAN Energy US (www.leanenergyus.org) is a national 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 2011 that provides information resources and market expertise to a national network of local governments, commercial and non-profit organizations, advocacy groups, and individuals wishing to pursue or expand Community Choice Aggregation (“CCA”) in their states and/or communities.

- Vrinda Inc. (www.vrindainc.com) is a boutique international strategy implementation firm helping deploy innovative business models to harness the full potential of emerging technologies. Vrinda leverages deep expertise in the clean energy and utility industry, real-world experience, and an extensive partners’ network to ensure success in every project.