Update: The Request for Proposals (RFP) pursuant to the 2020 grant cycle of the Energy Innovation Grant Program has been posted on the Public Service Commission’s web site. You can access the RFP here. The due date for grant submissions is January 22, 2021.
October 19, 2020
The Public Service Commission approved $7 million in funding that will be awarded through the 2020 round of the Energy Innovation Grant Program (EIGP). The EIGP awards financial assistance that supports the Office of Energy Innovation’s mission relating to energy efficiency, renewable energy, transportation, planning and resilience. In the previous round in 2018, the EIGP distributed nearly $5 million to more than 100 recipients. EIGP presently has a cash balance of more than $26 million.
The final order (PSC REF# 398392) was issued on October 16th, setting forth elements including (1) eligibility criteria; (2) eligible activities; (3) program budget; (4) procedures for tracking and reporting; and (5) development of the Request for Proposals (RFP).
The most important decisions rendered by the Commission are itemized below, interspersed with tables providing greater granularity on the program design and schedule.
Key decisions
- The following entities are eligible to seek funds through this program: manufacturers of all sizes; and cities, villages, towns, counties, K-12 school districts, tribes, municipal water and wastewater utilities, municipal electric utilities, municipal natural gas utilities, University of Wisconsin System campuses and facilities, Wisconsin Technical College System, public or nonprofit hospitals, and 501(3)(c) nonprofits (collectively MUSH Market).
- A budget of $7 million was authorized for the upcoming round. This represents an increase of $2 million from the previous round. The allocations for each of the four program activities are listed below.
- Projects involving all statutorily defined renewable energy resources are eligible for funding.
- The additional $2 million were allocated to Activities 1 and 2.
| Optional Available Funds Per Activity for 2020 Program Year | ||
| Activity | Maximum grant request | Available funds per activity |
| 1. Renewable Energy + Energy Storage | 22% up to $250,000
(solar PV only) |
$2.5 million |
| $500,000 (other RE) | ||
| $250,000 (energy storage system) | ||
| $500,000 (solar + storage) | ||
| $750,000 (other RE + storage) | ||
| 2. Energy Efficiency + Demand Response | $1 million | $3 million |
| 3. Electric + RNG Vehicles + Infrastructure | $100,000 | $1 million |
| 4. Comprehensive Energy Planning | $100,000 | $500,000 |
| Total | $7 million | |
The Commission also approved a timeline for the upcoming round of funding, the milestones of which appear in the table below.
| Tentative 2020 Energy Innovation Grant Program Year Timeline | |
| Date | Activity |
| 9/2020 | PSC consideration of 2020 Grant Program Design – final order issued |
| 10/2020 | Final order issued; Circulate RFP 90-day application period |
| 1/2021 | Applications due |
| 2/2021 | Review and score proposals |
| Spring 2021 | 2020 EIGP Award recommendations considered; announce awards |
| Spring 2021 | Contract negotiations; sign award agreements |