Clean Technology Demonstration Program

Clean Technology Demonstration Program Applications Now Closed

Background

BLOOM is issuing a call for proposals to support the completion of clean technology demonstration projects in Ontario.

The objectives of this program are to demonstrate the potential commercial application of cleantech and low carbon solutions with a high potential to achieve major GHG emission reductions in targeted sectors.

The outcomes and results will be used to:

Illustrate to sector stakeholders that viable cleantech and low carbon solutions are commercially available;

Reduce the perceived environmental, economic, and business risks of adopting cleantech solutions; and

Bridge the ‘adoption gap’ and increase the market demand for cleantech solutions.

To support these objectives, the BLOOM ‘Impact Quantification’ methodology, known as BLOOM IQ, will be used in each approved project to provide a third party quantification of GHG emissions reductions and other environmental, economic and social benefits that can be realized over the entire life-cycle of the cleantech solution.

The Clean Technology Demonstration Program by BLOOM aims to support clean technology demonstration projects in Ontario that can achieve significant GHG emission reductions in targeted sectors. One of the characteristics of a high-quality proposal is the demonstration of low-carbon cleantech solutions that are commercially available and/or commercially-ready. Portable solar panels can be a great example of such solutions that can significantly reduce GHG emissions in various sectors.

What Is A High-Quality Proposal

A high-quality proposal would have some of these characteristics:

The demonstration project is in a sector of economic importance to Ontario;

The demonstration project is in a sector where there is high potential to achieve major GHG emission reductions through adoption of the demonstrated low-carbon solution;

The low-carbon cleantech solution to be demonstrated is commercially available and/or commercially-ready;

The low-carbon cleantech solution provider can articulate how the demonstration outcomes will support their deployment strategy;

The customer hosting the demonstration is representative of the sector so that the outcomes can be quantified and communicated to enable broader market adoption;

The host customer is a sophisticated buyer who can provide invaluable feedback to the cleantech solution provider, and who can serve as a reference and case study in which future customers will depend; and

The project has other strategic partners that can support broader market adoption of the low-carbon cleantech solution, following completion of the demonstration.

How The Program Will Work

BLOOM will provide grant funding on a 50:50 cost-share basis to support five to seven demonstration projects that are required to be completed by March 31, 2018 in accordance with the guidelines below.

The demonstrations will be collaborative projects involving both a cleantech solution provider and a sector customer “host” who is representative of the applicable broader sector. Ideally, proposed projects will also include other participants such as industry associations and/or government agencies.

Each demonstration project will be required to collect performance data, including both baseline data prior to the demonstration of the cleantech solution, as well as data generated during the demonstration. BLOOM will work with and support the selected project teams to develop appropriate monitoring plans. This will allow BLOOM to analyze the results and quantify the net impacts for each project using the BLOOM IQ methodology.

Key Dates:

The call for proposals will be announced: February 15, 2017

Application deadline will be: March 24, 2017

Approved Project notifications: April 15, 2017

Funding Of Technology Demonstrations

BLOOM shall administer a grant program under which eligible Co-Applicants (cleantech provider and sector host) can apply for funding to conduct cleantech demonstration projects subject to the following requirements:

BLOOM will provide financial support to selected applicants to pay for up to 50% of their eligible project expenditures for approved projects, up to a maximum of $150,000 per project.

Projects must be capable of being completed no later than March 31, 2018 in order to be eligible.

BLOOM will determine the payment schedule to selected applicants, which may include an up-front payment as well as milestone-based payments, as finalized based on negotiations between BLOOM and the selected applicant.

The application process and related program management will be undertaken by BLOOM, with the applications reviewed by qualified independent experts in addition to BLOOM staff.

Program Guidelines

Eligible costs are those that BLOOM considers necessary and directly related to the project. These costs must be incurred by the applicant after the date of application approval and are subject to verification by an independent audit. Any project expenditures must be incurred on or before March 31, 2018 after which they will not be considered as eligible under this program.

Maximum BLOOM Funding Contribution per project: $150,000 (conditional on Project Funding Expense Limits)

Project Duration: from time of approval to no later than March 31, 2018

Expected Co-Applicant/Partner Contribution (combined) : Minimum of 50% of requested BLOOM Funding

Can include verifiable in-kind contribution (i.e., staff time, facilities, equipment, materials)

Can be combined or ‘pooled’ by both Co-Applicants AND other project partners

Project Funding Expense Limits:

Salary/Benefits*: limit 50% of requested BLOOM funding

Supplies/Materials: limit 50% of requested BLOOM funding

This refers to those supplies and/or materials utilized and/or consumed during the course of the project (i.e. raw materials, testing supplies, chemicals, gases, etc.)

Services: limit 50% of requested BLOOM funding

This refers to services specific to, and required to complete the project (i.e. lab testing, installation, design, etc.)

Capital Equipment: limit 50% of requested BLOOM funding

Eligible expenses must be limited to a pro-rated valuation based on the depreciation value over the duration of the project, and the % utilization of the capital equipment in this period (i.e., 18 month project with $20,000 depreciation over this period. Equipment was used one day out of five days, therefore can claim a capital equipment expense of: 0.2 x $20,000 = $4,000)

Fees* (i.e. equipment and/or facility rental): limit 50% of requested BLOOM funding

Major Subcontractors and Consultant Fees*: limit 50% of requested BLOOM funding

Other* (please specify): limit 25% of requested BLOOM funding

*Note: BLOOM funding can only be applied to that portion directly associated with the execution of the project, and must be prorated as appropriate to reflect this. For example, equipment that is rented for 24 weeks, but only to be used for 6 weeks of work during the project must be presented as 25% of the actual rental cost.

Ineligible Expenses:

Purchase of or improvements to land;

Purchase of or improvements to buildings;

Business case preparation, third party government relations, management; consulting services, or other fees (including legal, but not including legal fees associated with intellectual property protection for project related solutions);

Operating expenses (including salaries and overhead) not directly attributable to the recipient’s funded project, including debt service costs or federal or provincial income taxes, surtaxes or special expenses; and

Remuneration to shareholders

Application And Decision Process

BLOOM staff will initially assess completeness and eligibility of applications. Following this a Committee of external reviewers will assess each proposal against the goals of the program, taking into consideration the potential to achieve the necessary outcomes.

BLOOM will then conduct a final review of the Committee recommended proposals prior to announcing funding decisions.

Applicants approved for funding will be required to sign a Grant Agreement with BLOOM before the project starts.