The U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) announced up to $35 million in funding for 12 projects on March 17, 2026. The awards support the Disruptive DC Converters for Grid Resilient Infrastructure to Deliver Secure energy (DC-GRIDS) program, which aims to develop high-voltage direct current (HVDC) technologies to transform conventional alternating current (AC) infrastructure.
What it means
The funding supports the development of multi-terminal high-voltage direct current (MT-HVDC) grid technologies. According to ARPA-E, HVDC transmits power more effectively than AC transmission over long distances. The projects focus on innovating power electronics to make MT-HVDC transmission cost-competitive with existing AC technology. The agency stated that advancements from these projects could boost transmission capacity up to 250%.
The initiative supports President Trump’s strategy to expand and modernize the grid. ARPA-E Director Conner Prochaska said, “ARPA-E advances innovative energy technologies to ensure Americans have access to affordable, reliable, secure power.” He added that DC-GRIDS projects will help modernize the U.S. grid and drastically increase its ability to deliver American-made energy to homes, data centers and businesses.
The funded projects aim to eliminate barriers to widespread adoption of MT-HVDC grids by enabling the use of existing transmission infrastructure rights-of-way and flexible interconnections between new and existing AC and DC lines. Florida State University in Tallahassee will receive $4.1 million to develop a novel HVDC power-electronics module. The Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta is awarded $3 million to develop an advanced pulse-forming-network-based power-electronics submodule. Ohio State University in Columbus will receive $2.9 million to advance power electronics converter technology, with targets for a five-fold reduction in cost and footprint and a ten-fold reduction in volume for HVDC converter stations.
ARPA-E noted that selection for award negotiations is not a commitment by the Department of Energy to issue an award or provide funding.
Key facts
- $35 million: Total announced funding amount for 12 projects.
- March 17, 2026: Date of announcement.
- 12: Number of projects funded.
- 250%: Potential boost in transmission capacity according to the agency.
- $4.1 million: Award amount to Florida State University.
- $3 million: Award amount to Georgia Institute of Technology.
- $2.9 million: Award amount to Ohio State University.
- Five-fold target cost and footprint reduction for HVDC converter stations (Ohio State University project).
Source: U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy news release