R&D Division
Research Funding Sources
Small Grants
TheEnergy Innovations Small Grant (EISG) Program provides up to $95,000 for hardware projects and $50,000 for modeling projects to small businesses, non-profits, individuals and academic institutions to conduct research that establishes the feasibility of new, innovative energy concepts.
Natural Gas
In August of 2004, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued Decision (D.) 04-08-010 making funds available for public interest natural gas research and development (R&D) projects. Public Interest Natural Gas Research must conform to all of the following criteria:
- Advances science or technology.
- Research benefits accrue to California citizens.
- The research is not adequately addressed by competitive or regulated entities.
In general, the research funded by this program should improve natural gas energy efficiency and environmental quality, develop renewable technologies, and otherwise provide benefits to the public. The research program is administered by the California Energy Commission. See the 2007-2012 Natural Gas Research Investment Plan
Geothermal
The California Energy Commission's Geothermal Program was created by Assembly Bill 1905 (Bosco) and has been in operation since 1981. During the first decade, it promoted California geothermal energy development by extending financial and technical assistance to public entities to support direct uses, planning, and mitigation projects. In 1992, the program was expanded to include financial assistance to private entities for research, development and commercialization projects. The funding source is revenue paid to the United States government by geothermal developers from production on federal leases in California. Typically, there are funds available each fiscal year in the Program's Geothermal Resources Development Account for awards to qualifying applicants, and are provided as grants or loans.
The mission of the Program is to promote the research, development, demonstration, and commercialization of California's enormous earth heat energy sources. A major program goal is to continue to develop a portfolio of near to long-term R&D projects in California.
The Program has cost-shared in research, development and demonstration (RD&D) partnerships with over 160 public and private entities. It supports the development of new geothermal resources and technologies for low temperature uses and electricity generation while protecting the environment.
Public Interest Energy Research (PIER)
The California Energy Commission's Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) Program supports energy research, development and demonstration (RD&D) projects that will help improve the quality of life in California by bringing environmentally safe, affordable and reliable energy services and products to the marketplace.
The PIER Program annually awards up to $62 million to conduct the most promising public interest energy research by partnering with RD&D organizations including individuals, businesses, utilities, and public or private research institutions.