Energy Innovation Program – Renewable Energy Demonstrations Call

Objectives

Aligned with OERD’s commitment to driving innovation to accelerate Canada’s clean energy transition, the Renewable Energy Demonstration Call (“the Call”) will fund demonstration projects that will help advance innovative renewable heat or power generation and/or integration through novel applications that provide local benefits.

The call will fund projects addressing one or more of the following objectives:

• Increase local participation in, and local benefits of, renewable energy generation and use;
• Improve the reliability and accessibility of renewable energy generation;
• Reduce environmental impacts and contribute to Canada's net-zero goals; and/or,
• Advance replicable renewable energy solutions through innovation.

For this call, renewable resources are limited to solar, wind, geothermal, and marine (tidal, wave, or river current) energy.

To further OERD’s objective to support projects that advance inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA), applicants will be asked to describe how their project will positively impact local communities. The Call will also aim to fund at least one project led by an Indigenous applicant, recognizing the importance of Indigenous participation and leadership in advancing renewable energy initiatives.

Eligibility

The Call is open to demonstration projects that improve local energy systems through innovative renewable heat or power generation and/or integration. Applications will be scored against their ability to meet the Call objectives.

Projects must start at Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) 6 or higher and have a minimum installed capacity of 100 kW electrical or 300 kW thermal.Funding requests must fall between $500,000 and $4,000,000 over a period of up to a maximum of five years. Projects must start on or after April 1, 2025, and no later than March 31, 2026.

Eligible recipients must apply under one of the two streams:

Stream 1

Open to all eligible recipients Funds up to 50% of total project cost, or the maximum contribution of $4 million per project.

Stream 2

Open to eligible Indigenous recipients. Funds up to 100% of total project cost, or the maximum contribution of $4 million per project. Indigenous applicants are encouraged to contact the Program (eiprenewables-pierenouvelables@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca) to be connected with a project officer. The project officer will provide support to Stream 2 applicants throughout the application process, including verifying eligibility.

For more details, please review the Applicant Guide. To apply, please click on the Applicant Portal to begin your Expression of Interest (EOI) application, where you can select to apply under Stream 1 or Stream 2.

Important dates

Stream 1
Open for Expression of Interest (EOI) Applications	May 27, 2024
Deadline for EOI Applications	July 2, 2024 – 1:00 pm ET
Project Selection/Notification	Spring 2025
Stream 2
Open for Expression of Interest (EOI) Applications	May 27, 2024
Deadline for EOI Applications	Sept 26, 2024 – 1:00 pm ET
Project Selection/Notification	Summer 2025

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