In June of 2008, the Denali Commission released a unique public solicitation entitled the Emerging Energy Technology Grant (EETG). This competitive solicitation, with a total funding opportunity of $4 million, targeted alternative and renewable emerging energy technology proposals from Alaskan applicants. In total, 50 applicants applied to the first round of the solicitation, requesting over $29 million in funding. Of these proposals, 15 were selected for a second round review, with nine proposals eventually being selected for awards.

 

The Alaska Center for Energy and Power is serving as the program manager of the solicitation, and was not involved in the proposal review or selection process. As the project proposals deal with emerging energy technology and by nature are high risk, high reward, ACEP’s technical knowledge and objective academic management of the projects, specifically for data collection, analysis, and reporting, is a vital component to the intent of the solicitation, i.e., providing lessons learned and recommendations.

For questions and additional information please visit the Emerging Energy Technology Grant section of the Alaska Energy Wiki or contact  EETG Program Manager Jason Meyer.

Trends

One overall trend emerged from this solicitation: many of the proposals featured a technology area that has limited funding opportunity, and for other reasons than the technology being an emerging energy technology. Such areas included:

• Waste and energy (solid waste, biomass, other waste, etc.)
• Alaskan applications of proven international technology
• Electric vehicles for rural and Arctic applications

A similar trend was that several applicants, not the technologies, had limited opportunity for funding. For example, the Seward Sealife Center is an aquarium and is restricted from many federal grants, including federal stimulus opportunities.

First Round Results

Response to the solicitation was extremely positive, with 50 applicants submitting a first round proposal. The total requested funding from the first round was $29.5 million. Of these 50 applicants, 16 were selected for the second round. One applicant withdrew their proposal just prior to the second round deadline, leaving 15 applicants for second round consideration.

Second Round Results

15 applicants submitted a robust project proposal for second round consideration. Total funding requested was $8.5 million, with total project costs equaling $17.9 million. The $9.4 million in cost share was made up of in-kind, cash, and other grant contributions.
Of these 15 finalists, 9 were selected for grant awards. The results are as follows: