About 

Aerial view of an electrical power grid substation with a red-roofed control building, metal framework, and high-voltage equipment arranged in a grid pattern on green grass.
The Louisiana Hubs for Energy Resilient Operations (HERO) Program is a statewide effort to strengthen energy resilience, enhance disaster response, and position Louisiana as a global leader in grid innovation. Administered by the Department of Energy and Natural Resources (DENR), HERO unites stakeholders with a shared commitment to solving the state’s most critical energy challenges and advancing a more reliable, affordable, and abundant energy future.
Through pilot hub projects, the program is identifying the most efficient energy production and storage practices to support communities during outages and emergencies. These early efforts will inform larger, long-term solutions that address grid congestion, reduce storm-related risks, and meet growing residential and commercial energy needs. Guided by ongoing community engagement and expert input, HERO lays the groundwork for scalable, innovative energy projects reinforcing Louisiana’s role as a national leader in energy resilience.

The Challenge

Electric utilities and communities in Louisiana are continually in storm recovery mode due to the recurrence and magnitude of natural disasters. The Department of Energy Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program is a tremendous opportunity to help Louisiana shift from reactive to proactive, comprehensive measures that lay the foundation for solving the energy security crisis with the deployment of decentralized power infrastructure that can improve economic and social stability. As power outages and natural disasters become more frequent and severe, community-centric power infrastructure investments are essential alternatives to achieve resilience in times of crisis.

The Solution

The HERO Project will focus on three main elements: (1) the launch of a new integrated community energy planning process (ICEP); (2) the deployment of a network of community resilience hubs consisting of grid-interactive distributed energy resources with long-duration energy storage across Louisiana; and (3) the connection of the hubs to state emergency response operations.

Solar Panel on House

HERO Implementation Timeline

HERO Implementation Timeline Image

Background

  • The Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resource’s (DENR) State Energy Office, in partnership with other state agencies, formed the Louisiana Interagency Work Group to apply for a once-in-a-generation funding opportunity through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) program.

  • GRIP will provide $10.5 billion over five years representing the largest single direct investment in critical grid infrastructure in U.S. history.

  • The first round of GRIP funding resulted in nearly $3.5 billion in awards, and 58 projects across 44 states were selected out of 750 submissions.

  • On October 18, 2023, DOE announced that DENR was awarded nearly $250 million in GRIP funding, which the state will equally match for a total of $500 million to implement HERO.

  • Out of 135 initial concept papers filed by states, tribes, local governments, and public utility commissions across the country, only eight projects were selected, with Louisiana receiving the third-highest award of any state.

  • On November 14, 2023, nearly $3.9 billion in the second round of the GRIP funding opportunity was announced. Concept papers are the required first step in this competitive application process and are due on January 12, 2024.

  • On September 30, 2024, DENR finalized its agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy to formally administer the Louisiana HERO program.

  • On October 1, 2024, DENR issued a press release announcing Louisiana’s $249 million award to strengthen grid resilience and launch HERO statewide.