ecoENERGY for Innovation Initiative

Name of transfer payment program

ecoENERGY Innovation Initiative (Voted)

Start date

June 23, 2011

End date

March 31, 2016

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

2011-12

Strategic Outcome

2 – Natural Resource Sectors and Consumers are Environmentally Responsible

Link to department's Program Alignment Architecture

2.2 – Technology Innovation > 2.2.3 – Clean Energy Science and Technology

Description

The ecoENERGY Innovation Initiative supports innovation in the clean energy sector by providing funding for research, development (R&D) and demonstration (collectively, RD&D) projects. It will provide $268 million over five years. The Initiative is integral to supporting the Government of Canada’s commitment to reduce total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 17% from 2005 levels by 2020. It also contributes towards Canadian prosperity and competitiveness.

The objective of the ecoENERGY Innovation Initiative is to advance Canada’s environmental performance and the competitiveness of Canada’s clean tech industry through a comprehensive suite of RD&D activities in the areas of clean energy and energy efficiency. Proposed investments will build on Canada’s strengths and competitive advantage, supporting next generation technologies that target the country’s energy profile and needs, while maximizing future GHG reductions. Activities are in five strategic priority areas: energy efficiency in buildings and communities; clean electricity and renewables; bioenergy; electrification of transportation; and unconventional oil and gas.

The ecoENERGY Innovation Initiative has two components: one for Research and Development Projects, and a second for Demonstration Projects. Together, these will support more than 200 projects. The call for submissions is now closed.

For R&D projects, transfer payments will not be repayable. For demonstration projects, it is not expected that transfer payments will lead to recipients’ generating profits or increasing the value of their business. If a transfer payment to a demonstration project leads to a profit, the recipient will be required to repay a portion of the profits up to the value of the transfer payment. The requirements that may trigger repayments are detailed in the contribution agreement, along with the process for repayment.

Expected results

Expected results relate directly to knowledge and technology development:

• Academia, industry and public sector collaborations for the advancement and demonstration of clean energy technologies – The outputs that will emerge from this activity are collaborations (e.g., contracts, agreements, memoranda of understanding, projects) established to research, develop and demonstrate clean energy technologies.
• Increased availability of scientific and technical knowledge to advance the development of technology – The outputs that will emerge from this activity include knowledge products such as scientific, technical papers, workshops, and codes, standards and regulations informed by RD&D.

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation

N/A

Decision following the results of last evaluation

N/A

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation

2014-15

General targeted recipient groups

Legal entities validly incorporated or registered in Canada, including electricity and gas utilities, companies, industry associations, research associations, standards organizations, Aboriginal and community groups, Canadian academic institutions, and provincial, territorial, regional and municipal governments and their departments and agencies.

Specific calls for proposals may be limited to a sub-set of the above eligible recipients and technology areas.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

During the Arrange phase, Natural Resources Canada engaged key stakeholders through a series of Leaders’ Fora. Through these engagements, the focus of subsequent calls for proposals under the five strategic priorities was refined.

During the Assess phase, very limited interaction occurred with applicants in order to keep the process fair, open and transparent. Only guidance of a very general nature was provided, where clarifications to an Applicant’s Guide that was provided to all Applicants were requested. No specific advice or help was provided under any circumstances.

During the Award phase, extensive discussions occurred with proponents to incorporate and address their needs to the extent possible within the framework of ecoENERGY Innovation Initiative terms and conditions and Treasury Board guidelines.

During the Administer phase, Natural Resources Canada has regular interaction with proponents. The ecoENERGY Innovation Initiative has implemented regular monitoring meetings with all recipients on a quarterly or semi-annual basis. These are formal meetings in which the progress of the project is discussed. In addition to these formal meetings, the ecoENERGY Innovation Initiative routinely interacts with recipients. These interactions occur on a periodic basis via conference calls. These meetings are scheduled based on how the project is progressing. On these calls, as well as in the formal meetings, opportunities exist for the recipient and the ecoENERGY Innovation Initiative administrators to discuss issues and recipient concern.

Total grants

Total contributions

Total transfer payments