The Energy Storage for Social Equity (ES4SE) Initiative, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Electricity Energy Storage Program, is a program by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and Sandia National Laboratories (SNL). ES4SE is designed to empower urban, rural, and tribal disadvantaged communities to consider energy storage technologies and applications as a viable path towards community prosperity, well-being, and resilience.

The primary goal is to support disadvantaged communities affected by unreliable and expensive energy systems. Through this program, eligible communities have access to direct non-financial technical assistance and potential support for new energy storage project development and deployment.

The ES4SE is unique in several ways:
• Easy to access.  No technology experience is required. First, communities fill out an interest form. Then, communities eligible to apply can work directly with a member of our team to fill out a more complete – yet easy and brief – application.
• Eligibility is linked to need.  This program is available for communities that do not usually have access or benefit from federal programs.
• Focus on the problem with many possible solutions.  Communities will have support from national laboratories in understanding their energy challenges and co-developing a set of potential solutions and responses.
• Workforce and equity are part of the assistance.  All communities will have an analysis of the relationship between the electricity system and socioeconomic conditions, as well as stakeholder identification and relationship development.
• Community of communities.  Communities will also be connected to one another through this program.
• Direct connection to future project funding.  Communities will have an opportunity to continue in the program leading to direct investment for grid improvements.

ES4SE will have two phases:
• In Phase One, PNNL partners with eligible communities through a comprehensive and personalized Technical Assistance (TA) Program. For technical assistance eligibility, selection criteria, and forms, visit our Technical Assistance Page.
• In Phase Two, successful TA Program participants will be chosen to receive additional assistance for Project Development and Deployment Assistance (PDDA), led by SNL.