Los Angeles Workshops Focus on Microgrid and Natural Gas Funding Opportunities
The California Energy Commission will hold two public workshops in Los Angeles this week on research funding that supports California’s energy and greenhouse gas reduction goals.
A pre-application workshop will be held at 10 a.m. Aug. 23 at the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator, 52 South Hewitt Street. Potential applicants can learn about a $44.7 million grant funding opportunity supporting microgrid projects that advance the technology and move it closer to commercialization.
Microgrids are small-scale electrical systems that provide and manage power independent of the larger electric grid. Many incorporate clean energy resources such as solar photovoltaics and can store energy using batteries and other technologies.
As part of the Energy Commission’s commitment to ensure all Californians are able to participate in and benefit from the 21st century grid, the solicitation requires that a number of the projects be permanently installed at locations such as military bases, ports, Native American tribal areas and disadvantaged communities.
Funding for the solicitation is through the Energy Commission’s Electric Program Investment Charge program, which invests in innovations and strategies that advance clean energy technologies. The application deadline is Oct. 20.
A separate pre-application workshop at 2 p.m. will be held in the same location. That workshop will provide information on a $10.7 million grant funding opportunity for projects that reduce natural gas use in industry through innovative energy efficiency concepts, or by utilizing renewable energy or advanced generation technologies.
Projects with test or demonstration sites located in disadvantaged communities and that can demonstrate how the project will benefit the community will receive additional points during proposal scoring.
Funding is through the Natural Gas Research and Development program, which supports projects that identify and address emerging natural gas‐related trends important to California’s energy future. The deadline to submit applications is Oct. 10. Winning applications are expected to be announced in mid-November and approved by Energy Commissioners in mid-February.
Instructions for participating in the workshops remotely are included with each solicitation. Applicants may ask questions at the workshops, and may submit written questions via mail, electronic mail, or fax.
