MADISON – The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC or Commission) awarded nearly $10 million in funding from the Energy Innovation Grant Program (EIGP). The grants went to 32 energy-related projects to increase the deployment of renewable energy and energy storage, support energy efficiency and demand response, bolster preparedness and resiliency in the energy system, and facilitate comprehensive energy planning.
“The projects awarded funding by the Commission represent a new cycle of forward-thinking energy innovation that will create jobs, reduce costs for Wisconsinites, and support the statewide goal of carbon-free electricity consumption by 2050,” said Rebecca Cameron Valcq, PSC Chairperson. “I am proud of the Commission’s work to award these grants to Wisconsin manufacturers, Tribes, educational institutions, and communities, and make these projects possible.”
The EIGP is implemented through the Office of Energy Innovation (OEI) at the PSC. Applications for this grant cycle were due on January 30, 2023. The PSC received 135 applications requesting more than $42 million in funding. The Commission awards range in size from $20,000 to $1 million with awardees providing or securing matching funds of over $10 million. Among the funded applications, 6 grant projects will support microgrid implementation or feasibility planning.
In the 2021 grant round, the Commission received 105 applications requesting more than $31.5 million in funding. The Commission funded 46 grants for a total of $10 million. In September 2022, the Commission voted to maintain the total funding allocated for the 2022 grant cycle at $10 million, matching 2021’s largest round in program history, to meet the continuing demand for support for innovative energy projects.
Wisconsin manufacturers, cities, villages, towns, counties, K-12 school districts, tribes, municipal water and wastewater utilities, municipal electric utilities, municipal natural gas utilities, electric cooperatives, University of Wisconsin System campuses and facilities, Wisconsin Technical College System, public or nonprofit hospitals, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits were eligible to apply.
Click here for a list of the grant recipients.
Click here for more information about the Energy Innovation Grant Program.
