Sandbox Deep Dive

Technical Assistance: Regulatory Sandbox Design & Implementation for Advanced Grid Technologies

State agencies and public power and cooperative utilities may send an email to Grace Relf ([email protected]) at any time with questions or to request a general or tailored educational briefing under the Sandbox Exploration option. Apply for Sandbox Expert Assistance or Sandbox Deep Dive services by completing a short form online. We encourage applications for Expert Assistance and Deep Dive services by February 13, 2026, but will continue to accept applications on a rolling basis while resources are available.

Objectives

Sandboxes support achievement of objectives like expanded adoption of advanced grid technologies, enhanced grid reliability, and improved utility customer satisfaction. Sandboxes are also particularly good for creating an ecosystem of innovation and a culture of learning to continuously address emerging challenges.

This level of technical assistance provides support for building a sandbox from the ground up, drawing on emerging best practices for initiating a sandbox, creating a straw sandbox framework that meets specific objectives, addressing stakeholder comments, and beginning to implement the sandbox.

Activities

Berkeley Lab will provide support over 6–12 months (about 800 hours total) for a state agency or utility to develop and begin implementing a sandbox. Activities may include:

Development of a straw sandbox framework based on state or utility needs, barriers to innovation, and overarching goals and objectives
Development of streamlined templates for project applications, project reviews, and project reporting and evaluations
Support for development of internal staff processes
Consultations during stakeholder engagement or working group processes and initial sandbox implementation periods, such as reviewing initial project proposals

Availability

Berkeley Lab anticipates providing Sandbox Deep Dive services to ~2 state agencies or utilities per year.

Examples

Sandbox Deep Dive support will include multiple tasks as needed to fully implement a sandbox, such as:

Identification of the key barriers to innovation and the appropriate sandbox or innovative program designs to mitigate those barriers
Development of a sandbox straw proposal
Development of streamlined sandbox templates such as calls for project proposals, project reporting templates, and evaluation documents
Identification of project scaling strategies

How to Apply

State agency and utility representatives can apply for Sandbox Deep Dive assistance by completing a short form online. Direct questions to Grace Relf ([email protected]).