Grid Innovation Fund
ON, Canada
Financial support for electricity conservation innovation in Ontario
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|fromMinToMax
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateMay 27, 2024
- grant_single|closingDateJuly 22, 2024
- grant_single|grantStatusClosed
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- grant_single|allIndustries
grant_single|grantors
- Independent Electricity System Operator
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels|preview
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
grant_single_labels|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.
grant_single_labels|projects
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.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 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
grant_single_labels|admissibility
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.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
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.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
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.
grant_eligibility_criteria|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.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
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.
grant_single_labels|criteria
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.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 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.
- Step 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.
- Step 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.
- Step 4: Confirmation of Submission
- Receive an email confirmation of receipt from the IESO within two business days.
- Maintain the confirmation for your records.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
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.
grant_single_labels|contact
gridinnovationfund@ieso.ca
905.403.6900
Apply to this program
Opportunity for Innovative Electrification and Demand Management Projects
The Grid Innovation Fund 2024 is a targeted call seeking proposals focused on Electrification and Demand Management in Ontario, aiming to address growing electricity demand while maintaining grid reliability. Eligible projects should demonstrate innovative solutions utilizing electric vehicles and advanced heating and cooling systems to support Ontario's electricity system efficiently.
Comprehensive Examination of the Grid Innovation Fund 2024 and Its Impact
The Grid Innovation Fund 2024, initiated by Ontario's IESO, presents a strategic opportunity to revolutionize the province's energy landscape through innovative electrification and demand management projects. As the transition from fossil fuels to electricity intensifies due to decarbonization goals and technological advancements, Ontario faces shifting electricity demand patterns and peak load challenges. This fund offers up to $9.5 million in total funding, inviting applicants to propose inventive solutions that can sustainably enhance electricity reliability while catering to the growing needs of consumers and businesses alike.
Divided into two main streams, the fund focuses on electric vehicles and space and water heating solutions. Stream 1 encourages projects that leverage electric vehicles, from light-duty to rail transit, to offer grid flexibility through managed charging and bidirectional energy flow. Meanwhile, Stream 2 targets enhanced management of heating and cooling systems for both small-scale and large-scale applications, seeking to lower greenhouse gas emissions and optimize energy consumption.
Eligible projects are required to exhibit strategic benefits and scalability, being capable of informing future demand management and operational planning. The proposed initiatives should meaningfully contribute to the flexibility and integration of Ontario’s electricity grid by deploying cutting-edge technologies or innovative program models. This includes not only demonstrating the technical feasibility of solutions but also exploring the socio-economic advantages of innovative energy practices, such as reduced energy costs and improved grid resilience.
By adhering to strict eligibility criteria, including Technology Readiness Levels of 7 or higher, the fund assures that supported projects are grounded in near-commercial maturity, capable of delivering significant impact. Contributions from local distribution companies or similar partners also ensure a collaborative approach, merging technical acumen with industry insights for more comprehensive outcomes.
The insights from successful projects will be invaluable, providing a basis for improved regulatory frameworks and policy decisions aimed at addressing broader societal needs while advancing the pace of Ontario’s energy transition. Such projects not only aim to satisfy immediate operational needs but also contribute toward long-term energy stability and sustainability objectives.
For interested entities, the Grid Innovation Fund 2024 is a chance to partake in transformative energy solutions, fostering a future-ready electricity sector that benefits from reduced emissions and increased energy efficiency. This initiative underscores a commitment to cleaner energy, supportive of regional economic growth through technological advancements. By engaging with this program, participants have the potential to redefine the integration of electric vehicles and heating technologies within Ontario's evolving grid infrastructure.
