Reshaping Energy Systems

Eligibility

Universities are eligible to apply. Collaboration between multiple organizations is encouraged.

Projects of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Electricity transmission and distribution (T&D) innovation
• Novel low-emissions solutions for grid services (e.g., innovative approaches to providing spinning reserve, frequency regulation, and other ancillary services)
• Novel solutions to enhance grid reliability and resilience
• Smart grid, microgrid, and grid edge solutions including novel distributed energy resources and solutions for remote, rural, and/or indigenous communities
• Solutions to integrate net-zero and net-zero-ready buildings with the broader energy system
• Novel solutions for liquid and gas pipeline networks
• Energy storage technologies
• Digital solutions for energy management, including artificial intelligence/machine learning for grid management, advanced controls for energy end-use optimization (facility- or system-level), industrial demand response, and other demand-side-management solutions
• Novel zero-emissions vehicle infrastructure (battery electric vehicles, hydrogen vehicles, etc.)
• Solutions for clean fleets (e.g.: transit, city services, corporate/service fleets, school busses, micromobility, and others.)

All projects supported through this call for proposals must demonstrate a clear and justified value proposition for reducing GHG emissions or enabling the transition to a net-zero economy in Alberta. While technology solutions can originate from anywhere globally, they must be piloted, demonstrated, or deployed in Alberta.

Projects or portions thereof that have received Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) funding are not eligible to receive further ERA funding for the same development. However, applicants may request support for a new phase of development that builds on and sufficiently advances a previously funded project.

Summary

The Reshaping Energy Systems call for proposals is primarily focused on the components of energy systems downstream of energy production and/or generation, namely, the transmission, distribution, metering, and delivery systems that convey electricity, natural gas, and other forms of energy to end users. These intermediary components of energy systems will need to evolve in tandem with ongoing shifts in how energy is produced and consumed in order to support and enable the overall transition to a net-zero emissions economy. By investing in this area, Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) aims to accelerate the transition to net-zero GHG emissions by ensuring our energy infrastructure and systems are capable of connecting growing demand for all forms of energy with new sources of clean supply. In addition to playing a key enabling role in the deployment of clean technologies, energy systems solutions can also deliver significant co-benefits including improved security and resiliency.

Reshaping Energy Systems seeks technology pilot, demonstration, and first-of-kind commercial projects that represent opportunities to help place Alberta’s energy systems on the pathway to net-zero emissions while improving the reliability, cost, and efficiency of energy infrastructure. The call for proposals is not limited to any particular energy carrier (electricity, natural gas, hydrogen, etc.); projects that feature integration between systems for multiple energy carriers are encouraged. Proposals are invited for technology solutions whose primary impact is on the midstream elements of energy systems (such as transmission, distribution, and delivery infrastructure and/or system services) but may also include secondary elements across the entire energy value chain from production to end use. Technologies are not required to directly reduce GHG emissions provided that there exists a strong case for their overall contribution to transitioning energy systems to net-zero emissions.

Projects whose primary focus (as assessed by ERA) is related primarily to upstream energy production or downstream energy efficiency/conservation with insufficient relevance to midstream energy systems will not be considered.

Projects whose primary scope is the construction/expansion of technology production, manufacturing, or fabrication facilities (e.g., a factory that produces one of the eligible technologies above) are eligible but must make a strong case for how the investment will support emissions reduction efforts in Alberta, for example by providing a clear line of sight to sale of units produced at the facility to Alberta customers.

Fund Matching

ERA requires its funding to be matched on a minimum 1:1 basis with funding from the applicant and/or project partners toward eligible expenses. ERA does not have a formal stacking limit alongside other government funds as long as the requested ERA contribution is matched at least 1:1 by contributions from the lead applicant and partners

Webinar

ERA will hold an information webinar on April 24, 2023, 2:00-3:00 pm (MT). Register here.

Submission Process

There is a two-stage process consisting of an Expression of Interest (EOI) and Full Project Proposal (FPP), which is by invitation only. Both stages of this competition will be part of the Research Management System (RMS), and approvals will be obtained electronically. Research Funding Application Approvals (RFAA) forms are not required as approvals are collected electronically in RMS.

1. Expression of Interest (EOI)

The EOI, plus approval in the Research Management System (RMS) using a Pre-Award/Letter of Intent record, must be submitted to RSO by June 12, 2023 at 12:00 pm. Please be sure to select 'Submitted for approval' (under Save & Progress) in RMS in good time to allow for approvals from your Department Head and/or ADR prior to the RSO internal deadline. Consult your department and faculty for more information on their approval processes and timelines.

Once you have received RSO approval, you must submit the EOI by June 15, 2023 at 5:00 pm (MT) using the Emissions Reduction Information Management System (ERIMS) Application Portal.

2. Full Project Proposal (by invitation)

Note: Full Project Proposal (FPP) deadline expected for late September 2023.

The Full Project Proposal (FPP), plus approval in the Research Management System (RMS) using a Pre-Award/Application record,* must be submitted to RSO at least 3 business days ahead of the funding agency deadline. Please be sure to select 'Submitted for approval' (under Save & Progress) in RMS in good time to allow for approvals from your Department Head and/or ADR prior to the RSO internal deadline. Consult your department and faculty for more information on their approval processes and timelines.

*Creation of a new Pre-Award/Application record in RMS is not necessary. You can automatically generate an Application record from the existing LOI record by changing the status of the LOI record to 'Invited to full application' (under Save & Progress).

Once you have received RSO approval, you must submit the FPP by the funding agency deadline using the Emissions Reduction Information Management System (ERIMS) Application Portal.

Overhead

15%

Pre-application deadlines

RSO internal deadline

Pre-application program deadline

Application deadlines

RSO final internal review deadline

Program application deadline

NOTE: Consult your Faculty Associate Dean (Research) (ADR) regarding Faculty-specific deadlines and submission processes.

Principal Investigators: Complete a Research Management System (RMS) record, including a copy of your complete application, and submit this for approvals in RMS.

Postdocs, students, and trainees: For fellowships and externally-sponsored research training awards or opportunities, you must complete the Research Funding Application Approval (RFAA) Trainee PDF form, and submit it, along with a complete copy of the application, to Research Services at rsotrainee@ucalgary.ca. Trainees should not use RMS at this time.

Approvals: The University of Calgary requires that all funding applications be approved prior to submission. Approval requires signatures via either RMS or the RFAA Trainee form, in the following order:

• Principal Investigator
• Department Head
• Faculty ADR/Dean
• Research Services (on behalf of the Vice-President Research)

Read the Meaning of Grant Signatures policy to understand what your approval means. Please see the agency guidelines for details about which signatures are required on your application, as it may differ from internal requirements.

Late submissions: Late submissions will only be accepted in cases of medical or family emergencies, or other exceptional circumstances. If you submit your RMS record to Research Services after the internal deadline has passed, you must secure additional approvals. Please read: Late Applications Process.

Resources

• Reshaping Energy Systems EOI Guidelines
• ERA Program Contact: applications@eralberta.ca