FACTBOX: U.S. utilities seek grants to upgrade grid

(Reuters) - The U.S. Energy Department has received more than 560 applications from utilities seeking stimulus money from a $4.5 billion grant program to advance modernization of the U.S. electric grid.

Following are some of the grant requests:

* American Electric Power Co Inc utilities in Texas and Ohio seek $154 million and $75 million, respectively. In northeast Ohio, AEP plans to install 110,000 advanced meters along with upgraded distribution grid technology.

* CenterPoint Energy Inc seeks $200 million to accelerate installation of advanced meters in the hurricane-prone Texas Gulf Coast area, and to install devices to create a "self-healing" grid for improved reliability.

* Consolidated Edison Inc seeks $172 million for grid improvements in its high-density territory of Con Ed New York and Orange & Rockland Utilities, and $46 million for a demonstration project to showcase new technology.

* Duke Energy requested $200 million to accelerate its $1 billion grid modernization program in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky, a project that includes installation of 1.5 million smart meters.

* Edison International's Southern California Edison unit seeks $60 million for two demonstration projects, including one for wind energy storage. The utility already plans to install 5 million smart meters by 2013.