EcoEnergy Innovation Initiative

EcoEnergy Innovation Initiative

The ecoENERGY Innovation Initiative (ecoEII) is a new program led by Natural Resources Canada that is aimed at supporting innovation in cleaner and more efficient energy production and energy use. The Federal Government has allocated $97 million to ecoEII for two streams of funding: Demonstration Projects, and Research and Development (R&D) projects, either of which must fall under one (or more) of five priority areas.

ecoEII Clean Energy Technology Priority Areas:
• Energy Efficiency
• Clean Electricity and Renewables
• Bioenergy
• Electrification of Transportation
• Unconventional Oil and Gas

Canada has enormous energy resources across the country for both thermal and power generation. Communities in the North and remote regions face different challenges from urban communities, but all must deal with integration of energy into complex systems, dealing with technical, economic, social and environmental challenges.

Value of Funding:
Demonstration Projects

Projects must have a minimum ecoEII contribution of $1.5 million. ecoEII funding per project will not exceed $20 million. Please note that the maximum ecoEII funding per project will not exceed 50% of total project costs. Total Canadian government assistance (federal, provincial/territorial and municipal governments, not including investment or funding from Crown or municipally-owned utilities) will not exceed 75% of total project costs.

Research and Development (R&D) Projects

Projects must have a minimum ecoEII contribution of $500,000. ecoEII funding per project will not exceed $5 million. Please note the Initiative ecoEII will provide up to 75% of total project costs, the balance of the project costs must be provided by the applicant and its partners. Also note the duration of the projects cannot exceed 5 years and must terminate no later than March 31, 2016.

Who Can Apply:

Natural Resources Canada invites short LOIs for R&D and Demonstration projects in the five strategic areas from the following entities, which must be validly incorporated or registered in Canada:
• Canadian companies
• electricity and gas utilities
• industry associations
• research associations
• standards organizations
• academic institutions
• provincial, territorial, regional and municipal governments and their departments and agencies
• aboriginal and community groups

Streams of Funding:

1) Demonstration Projects:
The focus of the ecoEII demonstration projects is on the integration of clean and renewable electricity into the grid and the built environment. Successful proposals will be those that are focused on the overall system into which they are being integrated, and address broader systems issues and barriers to the deployment of clean and renewable energy technologies.

Demonstration projects must be located in Canada and should not be just standalone technology demonstrations but must focus on system demonstrations that deal with issues such as code, permit and regulatory and other institutional issues in addition to technology capital cost reduction and reliability. It is expected that this will require the engagement and support of multiple stakeholders and receptors, including utilities and/or system operators.

A list of eligible technologies can be found listed in detail on the Natural Resources Canada website.

Contact Information:

Your OVPR Contact for Demonstration Projects program is Irina Bogatch, Innovations & Partnerships Office (Tel. 416-978-5730, Email. irina.bogatch@utoronto.ca)
2) Research and Development Projects:
The focus of the ecoEII R&D projects is on the development of new technologies and∕or the improvement of existing process to produce and use energy more cleanly and efficiently.

A list of eligible technologies can be found at the Natural Resource Canada website.

Contact Information:
Your OVPR Contact for R&D Projects program is Mike Folinas, Research Services Office (Tel. 416-978-7118, Email. m.folinas@utoronto.ca)

Information Session for Demonstration and R&D Projects:
Wednesday September 14, 2011 – 9:30am – 12:15pm
Royal York Hotel – Library Room
100 Front Street West
Toronto, ON
M5J 1E3

Important Application Information for BOTH FUNDING TYPES:

1) Whether applying for Demonstration Project funding or R&D Funding, applicants MUST complete the on-line expression of interest now by going to the following website:
Demonstration Project Funding R & D Funding
2) Once submitted, applicants will receive an Application Guide and a Letter of Intent form which must be submitted by:
• Demonstration Projects:

Internal Deadline: Friday, September 23, 2011 by 9:00am
o Please submit a copy of your LOI and a completed RIS form (with all required signatures from your department/division) to your OVPR contact
Sponsor Deadline: Tuesday, September 27, 2011 by 11:59 pm EDT
• Research and Development (R&D) Projects:

Internal Deadline: Monday, October 3, 2011 by 9:00am
o Please submit a copy of your LOI and a completed RIS form (with all required signatures from your department/division) to your OVPR contact
Sponsor Deadline: Friday, October 7, 2011 by 11:59 pm EDT
Results from the LOI will be released within 3 weeks of the LOI closing date.
A committee of experts will review Letters of Intent and will notify those who are selected to submit a Full Proposal with all necessary information, including an application guide, on preparing and submitting the full proposal. The deadline for the full application is November 21, 2011.

Mike Folinas
Research Funding Manager
Natural Science and Engineering
Agency & Foundation Funding
Office of the Vice President, Research
University of Toronto
McMurrich Building - 3rd floor
12 Queen's Park Crescent West
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 1S8
Tel. 416-978-7118 Fax. 416-971-2010
Website: http://www.research.utoronto.ca/