Description
The California Energy Commission’s DRIVES program funds demonstration projects that integrate commercial electric‑vehicle (EV) charging stations with behind‑the‑meter microgrids, either DC‑coupled or AC‑coupled. The goal is to accelerate energization, cut ratepayer costs, and overcome technical, regulatory, and operational barriers through advanced power‑control and energy‑management systems, leveraging flexible service agreements with investor‑owned utilities. The solicitation attracted 14 proposals, with awardees receiving a total of $11.54 M in CEC grant funds, supplemented by approximately $26.6 M in non‑CEC match funding.