Energy Innovations Grant | Riverside Public Utilities

Information
Guidelines

Information

The Energy Innovations Grant program is an ongoing program that has already contributed over $2 million in research funds to our local Universities. Funding from the program has helped post-secondary institutions look for new ways to advance science and technology in energy-related fields. Over the last five years, the utility industry has seen rapid changes as new technology has entered into the utility field. Riverside Public Utilities is looking to continue its partnerships with higher education institutions to explore ways to utilize technologies available today in order to make energy cleaner, more efficient and reliable.

Proposals must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible for consideration:

Propose an original innovative solution to a significant energy issue, address a California market need, provide a clear potential benefit to California electricity ratepayers, and target one or more of the categories listed below as it relates to the utility:

Building efficiency
Energy quality
Distribution system impacts
Distributed generation impacts
Environmentally-preferred advanced generation
Renewable generation utility impacts
Energy-related research
Strategic energy research
Advanced electric transportation research
Smart Grid applications
Energy efficiency demonstration projects

Items that typically do not meet program intent:

Materials components development or research
Nanotechnology components and materials research
Fuel cell components and materials
Battery components and materials
Generation improvement development
Products/services readily available in the commercial market

Energy Innovations Grant Guidelines

This program is available to public or private post-secondary educational institutions within RPU’s service territory only.
The level of incentive is up to 100% of the project cost not to exceed $100,000 with no matching funds or repayment requirements associated with this program.
All grant programs are subject to availability of funds and may be cancelled, modified or reduced at any time.
Riverside Public Utilities (RPU) awards up to two Energy Innovation Grants each fiscal year to a public or private post-secondary education institution.
Application filing dates for summer 2024 coming soon.
Grant recipients will be required to enter into an agreement with Riverside Public Utilities to establish that the project demonstrates the proposed energy savings.
Applicant’s project must be initiated within 30 days of the effective date of the agreement and must be completed within one year.
Milestones- Proposal should Include Quarterly Project Deadlines with Itemize tasks relative to a twelve (12) month time schedule for completion. Time schedule must include 3-month, 6-month, 9-month and 12-month task completion outline.
For good cause and upon proper notification, the General Manager of Riverside Public Utilities may approve the extension of project deadlines.
All projects or uses of grant funds must comply with the relevant portions of the California Public Utilities Code Section 385 http://codes.findlaw.com/ca/public-utilities-code/puc-sect-385.html related to the use of public benefits funds.
Copyrightable material and all patent rights for inventions conceived or put into use in the course of the grant project will be the property of the recipient subject to Riverside Public Utilities retaining certain limited use rights.
Grant participants will be required to cooperate with Riverside Public Utilities in publicity activities regarding awarding of the grant.
Completion and submission of an application does not obligate Riverside Public Utilities to allocate grant funds.
Customer is responsible for complying with all required federal, state and local ordinances, restrictions, rules and regulations prior to installing any new equipment.
Limitations apply.

How Do I Apply?

Please submit Energy Innovation Grant Proposal to email [email protected].