The California Energy Commission (CEC) is announcing an anticipated upcoming $9.5 million Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) solicitation. This solicitation plans to fund applied research and technology demonstration projects to advance innovative technologies for controlling plug load and exterior lighting energy use with three funding groups:
Group 1: Analyze and Test Total Energy Consumption of Plug Load Devices to Support California Codes and Standards for Non-covered Products - Analyze the devices not currently covered by California or US Standards, determine their total energy consumption (standby and active mode) and identify those with the most potential for consideration in future energy efficiency or load management code and standards.
Group 2: Demonstrate the Integration of Smart Plug Load Controls and Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) in Commercial Buildings – Demonstrate the integration of existing building energy management systems (BEMS) with advanced smart plug controls. The demonstration goals are to: 1) verify data flows between the smart plug load controls and BEMS platforms, 2) identify additional enhancements needed to improve and make it easier for building owners to control and coordinate with other building energy end-uses to reduce the cost of implementation and 3) increase functionality, such as provide for grid and load management through price signals.
Group 3: Demonstrate Smart Exterior Solid-State Lighting in Low-Income or Disadvantaged Communities – Develop, test and demonstrate innovative exterior luminaires to determine energy performance, potential for grid flexibility and other criteria determined in partnership with low income or disadvantaged communities. Goal is to reduce energy consumption by a minimum of 20%, provide strategies to maximize use of low or no carbon electricity (e.g., renewable energy), improve light quality, security, and glare reduction, and enhance visibility and safety for drivers and pedestrians.
Solicitation files will be located at the following CEC website: https://www.energy.ca.gov/funding-opportunities/solicitations
Tentative Key Dates
Solicitation Release Date: August 2020
Pre-application Workshop: August 2020 via Zoom
Deadline for Written Questions: August 2020
Deadline to Submit Applications: September/October 2020
NOTE that solicitation details are subject to change without notice up until the release of the solicitation.