Grants for Individuals - Energy

This funding opportunity supports U.S. and Japanese organizations in creating innovative projects that strengthen U.S.-Japan relations through public engagement in areas like security, democracy, and entrepreneurship.

The purpose of this solicitation is to fund demonstrations of community-based virtual power plant (VPP) approaches and demonstrations of innovative energy management systems (EMS) in commercial buildings with the goal of increasing demand flexibility. Demand flexibility refers to comprehensive programs and strategies that align electricity consumption with dynamic grid conditions. These can include both event-based demand response (DR) and load shifting strategies. Accelerating demand flexibility is a key strategy for California to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet the state’s climate and clean energy goals reliably and affordably.    VPPs are portfolios of distributed energy resources (DERs) such as smart thermostats, rooftop solar photovoltaics, electric vehicles (EVs), batteries, and smart water heaters that are actively controlled by software to benefit the power system, consumers, and the environment. While these resources have the potential to meet grid needs as reliably as conventional alternatives such as gas-fired generators, their advantages extend further, offering greater affordability and substantial decarbonization benefits.[3] However, research and development of both technologies and business models is needed to fully capitalize on and understand VPPs’ potential, especially the systems that feature predictive controls and require minimal consumer engagement. The examples of predictive controls relevant to this research include, but are not limited to, the use of artificial intelligence or model predictive controls for EV load shifting or building pre-cooling applications.   Projects will be funded in two groups. Group 1: Virtual Power Plants: Demonstrations that showcase community-based demand flexibility programs as a long-term (10 or more years) grid resource. Project teams must partner with local governments or non-profits to facilitate customer participation and smart device installations. Projects must evaluate the benefits and cost-effectiveness of community-based VPP approaches that use state-of-the-art DER management software (DERMS).   ·       Group 2: Commercial Building Energy Management in Low-Income or Disadvantaged Communities: Demonstrations of innovative EMS in commercial buildings focused on specific characteristics such as interoperability and adherence to open-source standards. Demonstrations require participation in electric investor-owned utility (IOU) or third-party DR programs and partnerships with device and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). These projects must showcase the latest advancements in energy management in the commercial sector and ensure technology adaptability, efficiency, and collaboration within the broader energy landscape.       

This grant provides funding for research institutions, energy organizations, and technology developers to create open-source tools that improve climate resilience and wildfire risk management in California's electricity sector.

Hydrogen can serve as a zero-carbon energy carrier and act as a potential replacement for fossil fuels in hard-to-electrify applications, particularly for the transportation, industrial, and electricity generation sectors. For the purposes of this solicitation, clean hydrogen is defined as hydrogen produced from water using eligible renewable energy resources, as defined in Public Utilities Code 399.12, or produced from these eligible renewable energy resources. To achieve sustainable wide-scale deployment, hydrogen must be produced cleanly at increased scale and reduced cost. This solicitation aims to reduce the cost burden of clean hydrogen production through large-scale, centralized production coupled with storage, delivery, and pre-determined offtakers to support a comprehensive hydrogen value chain. Expected outcomes include the development and deployment of low-carbon, cost-competitive hydrogen production from renewable energy sources and reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in hard-to-electrify sectors.   The 2022 California Air Resources Board (CARB) Scoping Plan estimates that by 2045, demand for low-carbon hydrogen increases nearly two-fold the current levels of fossil hydrogen – or a 1,700-fold increase in existing low-carbon hydrogen supply – especially to support emerging end uses such as heavy-duty vehicles, power generation, industrial process heat, and synthetic fuels for aviation. Hydrogen produced from water using renewable energy resources or produced directly from renewable energy resources can provide low-carbon energy and act as an alternative to fossil gas, helping meet California's GHG reduction goals of 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2045.     

This program provides funding to individuals, businesses, and government entities in Texas for innovative projects that significantly reduce emissions from stationary sources, particularly in renewable energy and the oil and gas industry.

This grant provides funding for individuals and organizations to develop innovative energy storage solutions that cater to unique applications in underserved communities and extreme climates, promoting grid modernization and reliability.

This program provides financial assistance to homeowners in Maple Heights for essential exterior repairs and improvements to enhance their properties and support neighborhood revitalization.

This initiative provides up to $100,000 in technical assistance vouchers to businesses and organizations seeking to commercialize scientific innovations through collaboration with experts at U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratories.

This initiative provides funding and support for innovators and startups developing transformative technologies in energy and resilience, enabling them to pitch their solutions to key decision-makers and access significant federal and private funding opportunities.

This funding opportunity supports innovative research in microsystems technology, targeting a wide range of applicants including universities, small businesses, and minority institutions, to develop advanced microelectronic systems that enhance U.S. national security.

This grant provides financial assistance to private homeowners of historic properties in Phoenix for exterior rehabilitation and restoration work to preserve their architectural integrity and enhance neighborhood aesthetics.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for U.S.-based organizations, including private companies, universities, and nonprofits, to advance the development of innovative fuel cell and electrolysis technologies for efficient hydrogen production.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to individuals, local governments, and businesses in Texas for replacing or upgrading older vehicles and equipment to reduce harmful nitrogen oxide emissions.

This grant provides funding for a variety of entities, including local governments, educational institutions, and farmers, to research and demonstrate the integration of solar energy systems with agricultural practices in Colorado.

This grant provides financial support and mentorship to emerging artists in South Carolina to help them develop their artistic practice and advance their careers.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for individuals and organizations to replace diesel vehicles and equipment with electric alternatives and install necessary refueling infrastructure in designated priority areas across Texas.

This program provides funding to Massachusetts agricultural operations to enhance climate resilience, improve sustainability, and boost food safety and energy efficiency through various eligible projects.

This grant provides funding to public and private entities in California to develop fast electric vehicle charging stations, particularly in underserved communities, to support the state's transition to zero-emission transportation.

This funding opportunity supports Colorado farmers, local governments, and research institutions in developing projects that combine solar energy production with agricultural practices, particularly in southeastern and southwestern regions of the state.

This grant provides funding for a comprehensive economic impact study of Wyoming's energy industry, targeting researchers, universities, government entities, and private industry capable of analyzing both fossil fuels and renewable energy sectors.