The Innovative Queue Management Solutions (iQMS) Demonstration Program, led by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Interconnection Innovation e-Xchange (i2X) and the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation (JOET), in collaboration with ENERGYWERX, seeks to partner with distribution utilities to pilot and implement solutions to improve, optimize, and accelerate the processing of generator interconnection and electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) service load request queues. The iQMS program aims to address critical challenges posed by the increasing number of non-residential, mid-scale clean energy projects, such as solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, wind, battery storage, and EVSE, integrating into the U.S. distribution grid networks. The program offers a total of $11.2 million in direct funding to support innovative queue management solutions that enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of interconnection processes for clean energy projects ranging from 100 kilowatts (kW) to 5 megawatts (MW).

The program targets up to 25 electric distribution utilities, including electric cooperatives, municipal electric utilities, and investor-owned utilities, to test, validate, and demonstrate new approaches to interconnection queue management over a 24-month period. The goal is to foster the adoption of simpler, faster, and fairer interconnection solutions that reduce costs, shorten timelines, and accelerate the decarbonization of the nation’s energy system. Distribution utilities often struggle with processing large volumes of interconnection requests due to insufficient tools and internal capabilities, which can lead to backlogs, high costs, and delays in connecting clean energy resources to the grid. This program will help participating utilities streamline their queue management practices through enhanced data quality, improved interoperability, and integration of internal IT systems, such as geographic information systems (GIS), distribution management systems (DMS), and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems.

The iQMS program is structured into two phases:

Phase 1 - Get Ready (8 Months): Up to 20 utilities will each receive $200,000 to assess the feasibility and potential value of implementing a queue management optimization solution. During this phase, utilities will create a detailed plan to demonstrate their solution under real-world conditions in Phase 2. The results and lessons learned from Phase 1 will be publicly shared.

Phase 2 - Demo (16 Months): Up to 8 of the best-performing utilities from Phase 1 will receive an additional $650,000 each to execute their implementation plan and demonstrate the proposed solution in real-world scenarios. The demonstration will focus on how these solutions can significantly enhance the efficiency of queue management for mid-scale clean energy projects. Utilities advancing directly from Phase 1 to Phase 2, through an accelerated option, may receive funding for both phases simultaneously if substantial progress is shown.

Key Areas of Focus include developing advanced hosting capacity analysis tools, dynamic hosting capacity maps, fast-track or self-service interconnection screening, automated technical studies, group studies or locational clustering for requests, and flexible interconnection solutions. The program emphasizes a collaborative approach, encouraging departments such as research, planning, IT, and operations to work together, enhancing internal processes and reducing costs to consumers by delivering reliable interconnection services.

Objective: The iQMS program aligns with the broader goals of the i2X initiative, which was launched in 2022 to facilitate the interconnection of clean energy resources to the U.S. distribution and transmission grids. The i2X initiative has engaged over 2,000 stakeholders through events and virtual meetings, funded technical assistance projects, and developed strategic roadmaps to address the nation’s interconnection challenges. The iQMS program is part of this ongoing effort to streamline the integration of clean energy projects, thereby supporting national decarbonization goals and improving energy system resilience and efficiency.

Collaboration and Technical Assistance: Selected utilities will receive ongoing technical support from the DOE-funded iQMS team and will be organized into cohorts to share challenges, opportunities, and lessons learned throughout the demonstration period. Utilities will also need to coordinate closely with internal and external stakeholders, including seeking necessary regulatory approvals, to execute the proposed pilots.

Eligibility and Impact: The iQMS program is open primarily to U.S. electric distribution utilities, but other entities may apply with a committed partnering utility. The program supports utilities that can demonstrate a need for queue management optimization and have the capacity to scale solutions across their service territories. By addressing the specific needs and challenges of distribution utilities, the program aims to drive significant improvements in queue management practices, ultimately benefiting clean energy developers, utility customers, and the broader grid ecosystem.