Grid Innovation Fund
Last Update: January 24, 2025
ON, Canada
Financial support for electricity conservation innovation in Ontario
Grid Innovation Fund at a glance
Eligible Funding
- From $1,000,000 to $4,750,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : May 27, 2024
- Closing date : July 22, 2024
Financing Type
Grant and Funding
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Grant Providers
- Independent Electricity System Operator
Status
Closed
Overview of the Grid Innovation Fund program
Receive funding to cover eligible project costs of new technologies, practices, and services to help achieve electricity bill savings for Ontario ratepayers or that reduce the costs associated with maintaining reliable operation of the province’s energy g
Financing terms and conditions
This grant offers straightforward financing modalities designed to encourage strategic innovation while ensuring prudent allocation of funds. Applicants can expect structured funding arrangements based on project objectives and deliverables.
- Funding requests must not exceed 50% of the total project value.
- The maximum funding limit from the IESO is $4.75 million per project.
- There is a minimum funding request of $1 million for Stream 1 proposals.
- Applicants and partners must contribute a minimum of 35% cash and/or in-kind resources towards the total project value.
- The lead applicant must contribute at least 10% of the total project value in cash.
- Grant stacking with other non-IESO funding sources is encouraged, but duplication of funding for the same tasks and activities as those funded by IESO is not permitted.
- Funding disbursement is based on milestone completion, aligning with the project's key deliverables.
Eligible projects & activities
The Grid Innovation Fund 2024 targets projects demonstrating innovative demand-side solutions enhancing the flexibility and reliability of the electricity grid in Ontario. Eligible activities span across electric vehicle integration and advancements in space and water heating technologies.
- Developing programs for Vehicle to Grid (V2G) technology, enabling EV fleets to inject energy back to the grid.
- Implementing managed charging programs for EVs, including Vehicle to Home/Building (V2H/V2B) systems.
- Designing solutions for aggregating small to medium-scale space and water heating systems with thermal storage capabilities.
- Integrating large-scale heating systems with thermal storage to provide space heating and system flexibility.
- Creating innovative programs to manage non-residential HVAC loads, improving automation and real-time system visibility.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 1,000,000
Demonstrating small-scale heating with thermal storage solutions for residential flexibility
$ 2,800,000
Designing large-scale heating systems integrated with thermal storage for large customers
$ 1,200,000
Developing a V2G program demonstrating flexibility services through EV aggregations or fleets
$ 1,500,000
Aggregating and managing non-residential HVAC loads to support the electricity systems
$ 1,250,000
Showcasing Thermal Energy Storage for reducing electricity demand during winter in small businesses
$ 1,050,000
Implementing a V1G and V2H program to showcase bi-directional charging at residential sites
Eligibility criteria of the Grid Innovation Fund program
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and proposed activities.
- Proposals are welcome from non-profit and for-profit incorporated entities, including electricity distributors, technology companies, fleet owners/operators, academic institutions, public sector organizations, and others.
- A minimum of three partners, including the applicant, are required to participate in the project and provide cash and/or in-kind contributions.
- Funding is not available to individuals, including incorporated individuals, sole proprietorships, trusts, or joint ventures.
Who is eligible?
This grant is open to non-profit and for-profit incorporated entities located in Ontario, encompassing a range of sectors focused on electricity innovation.
- Electricity distributors.
- Technology companies.
- Fleet owners/operators.
- Academic institutions.
- Public sector organizations.
Who is not eligible
The Grid Innovation Fund 2024 Call outlines specific eligibility requirements but does not explicitly specify types of companies or industries that are not eligible. However, it provides guidelines on eligible entities.
Eligible expenses
The Grid Innovation Fund 2024 Call is designed to promote projects that explore innovative demand-side solutions in the electrification and demand management sectors. The eligible activities span across different project streams related to Electric Vehicles and Heating and Cooling systems.
- Development and implementation of Vehicle to Grid (V2G) programs, where EV fleets or aggregations provide flexibility services to the grid.
- Design and testing of managed charging and Vehicle to Home/Building (V2H/V2B) models to manage electricity consumption and support the grid.
- Demonstration projects in small to medium-scale heating with thermal storage, showcasing how these technologies can contribute to system flexibility.
- Installation and testing of large-scale heating systems with integrated thermal storage to demonstrate load reduction potential.
- Creation of programs for aggregating HVAC loads to enhance demand flexibility and grid support.
Eligible geographic areas
This grant is specifically for projects situated within Ontario, Canada, as stipulated by the funding body to align with local energy sector innovation goals.
- Projects must be located in the province of Ontario, Canada.
Eligibility criteria of the Grid Innovation Fund program
The evaluation and selection of projects for the Grid Innovation Fund 2024 are based on specific criteria to ensure alignment with the fund's objectives and strategic goals.
- Project Purpose and Outcomes (5 points): The project purpose is clearly described and aligns with the high-level objectives of the call, with potential to support the provincial grid and sector evolution.
- Grid Flexibility (20 points): The proposal articulates the flexibility services to be tested, needs addressed, measurement and quantification methods, involved distribution and transmission assets, provided load profiles, and data acquisition strategies.
- Demand-Side Program Design and Innovation (20 points): Clearly describes a unique program design or participation model for grid flexibility, prospects to inform future management programs, and innovation within Ontario.
- Project Design (20 points): The project design's realism, coherence, scalability, and KPI measurement approach, along with marketing strategies to attract participants.
- Project Funding (15 points): Relevant budget items, financial feasibility, and allocation of funding risk with a focus on minimizing reliance on IESO funds.
- Project Team and Partners (5 points): Qualifications and experience of the project team and partners, with emphasis on capacity-building and collaboration.
- Emissions Reductions (5 points): Consistency in using standardized methodologies to calculate GHG emissions reductions and demonstrate net reductions over the project duration.
- Sector Evolution (10 points): The potential to inform regulatory innovation and policy initiatives, including identifying barriers and proposing solutions, and plans for post-project market advancement activities.
How to apply to the Grid Innovation Fund program
1
Contact the Grid Innovation Fund Team
- Email gridinnovationfund@ieso.ca to discuss your project idea.
- Request a meeting with IESO staff to obtain feedback and guidance.
2
Prepare Proposal
- Complete the proposal template documents required for submission.
- Gather supporting documentation including audited financial statements, certificate of incorporation, and signed letters of support from all project partners.
- Ensure all documents substantiate no duplicate funding for IESO-supported tasks.
3
Submit Application
- Email the completed proposal and supporting documents to gridinnovationfund@ieso.ca.
- Include "Electrification and Demand Management Targeted Call" in the email subject line.
- Confirm submission before the deadline: July 22nd, 2024, before 11:59 p.m.
4
Confirmation of Submission
- Receive an email confirmation of receipt from the IESO within two business days.
- Maintain the confirmation for your records.
Additional information
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- The IESO will provide standardized testing frameworks for bulk electricity system impacts in successful projects.
- Ongoing communication with IESO during the proposal preparation phase is encouraged.
- The IESO has a risk-based approach for funding disbursement, which occurs on a milestone basis.
- A non-negotiable Contribution Agreement is required for successful applicants.
- The OEB’s Innovation Sandbox may offer customized regulatory guidance and relief for innovative projects.
- Engagement with the OEB’s Innovation Sandbox is a prerequisite for accessing IESO funds upon project approval.
Contact Independent Electricity System Operator
gridinnovationfund@ieso.ca
905.403.6900
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