One of the key elements of a reliable electricity system is the ongoing development of new technologies to reduce electricity consumption – or provide clean, renewable supply options.

The Technology Development Fund is a grant fund established to help promote the development and commercialization of technologies that have the potential to improve electricity supply, conservation or demand management.

The Fund is designed to help move earlier stage projects to commercialization. Preference will be given to those proposals that demonstrate a commitment to the commercialization of energy efficient technology projects.

The eligibility criteria are as follows:

• Any organization that proposes to study, develop and/or demonstrate an emerging energy technology or application.
• Projects must be consistent with the Fund objective to support pre-commercial technology applications that have the potential to improve electricity supply, conservation or demand management.
• Funding will not be provided to individuals.

All funding proposals will be evaluated against the following criteria:

• Proposal is consistent with and supportive of the OPA mandate and mission.
• The proposal is consistent with the objectives of the Fund as outlined under the “Technology Development Fund Overview”.
• There will be leveraging with other funding sources.
• Proposed methodology to measure results and report on the work
• Support from people who are recognized as knowledgeable authorities in the research area proposed and/or energy sector generally
• Sustainability or lasting impact.
• Ability to deliver measurable results.
• Strength of feasibility analysis.
• Financial viability of the proponent.

Proponents should be able to demonstrate:

• A relevant mandate, proven track record and good operating systems.
• Appropriate financial management policies, practices and controls.
• A realistic relationship between the requested funding amount and the organization’s current annual budget.
• An ability to manage and sustain growth that may result from the grant.
• A history of working partnerships with other organizations or stakeholders, particularly the managing institutions working with the OPA.

The Technology Development Fund will fund:

• Planning, feasibility studies, and field tests, including costs for qualified professional and technical consultants who are directly involved in the project.
• Costs of purchasing office supplies that are required in order to complete the project activities.
• Funding for conferences, workshops, and other proceedings where the event is deemed to be important to execution of the project activity.
• Travel costs necessary to complete the project activity.
• Costs to consult and educate a community or sector about the proposed project activity, including surveys, website development and other communication tools directly related to execution of the project activity.
• Costs of pilot and capital installations: construction or renovation/retrofit of facilities and structures and leases essential for completion of the project activity but that are limited to the life of the project activity.
• For greater certainty, the OPA Fund will not cover eligible expenses that are committed or incurred beyond the completion of the project activity.

The Technology Development Fund will not fund:

• Budget deficits.
• Activities completed or costs incurred before the funding is approved.
• Costs over $50,000 for any single consultant or contractor that has not been selected through a tendering process.
• Costs associated with the purchase of capital equipment or real estate.
• Costs of purchasing office equipment, and furniture.
• Costs of purchasing office supplies that are not required for completion of the project activities.
• Any overhead costs generated by the lead applicant or project activity partners, such as operating costs related to general maintenance and repair.
• Any cost for which the lead applicant is eligible for a rebate, including the Provincial Sales Tax, Federal Goods and Services Tax, and Harmonized Sales Tax.
• All costs related to education, training, outreach, or promotion not directly related to the project activity.

At completion of the project, a final report must be delivered to the OPA of the actual outcomes against the project objectives and the reason for any variances, the lessons learned, and the planned “next steps” for the project and technology.