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| Technical Assistance, Incentives, and Funding Opportunities: Upcoming Events and Activities:
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| TDEC Announces Second Annual Sustainable Transportation Awards and Forum
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) invites Tennesseans to submit nominations for the second annual 2016 Sustainable Transportation Awards. The deadline to submit nominations is March 31. The Awards recognize outstanding initiatives within the state of Tennessee to reduce transportation-related energy and emissions, in line with an overarching effort to save natural resources, improve the health and well-being of Tennesseans, and create efficiencies in the delivery of goods and services. Additional consideration for the awards may be given to projects that benefit an underserved population, decrease blight, make use of renewable fuels, provide infrastructure for two or more types of transportation not including personal vehicles, or directly result in a similar project being completed by a different entity. Eligible entities include federal, state and local governments; commercial, nonprofit, and industrial organizations; public and private institutions of higher education; and utilities. The entity must be located in Tennessee, and the project must have been completed in the last five years. All nominees must have a minimum of three consecutive, current years of exceptional environmental compliance with the Department of Environment and Conservation. Self-nominations are encouraged. A panel of judges representing diverse interests will select award recipients based on criteria including project planning optimization, community health and well-being, participation incentives and outreach, and emissions reductions. In connection with Clean Air Month, TDEC, in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Transportation, will host a recognition ceremony and sustainable transportation forum May 12-13, 2016, at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
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| Electric Power Research Institute to Receive $3.1 Million in Solar Energy Storage Funding
On January 19, U.S. DOE awarded Electric Power Research Institute’s Knoxville Office $3.1 million in funding to work with five utilities in designing, developing and demonstrating technology for end to end grid integration of energy storage and load management with photovoltaic (PV) generation. The project will seek to sustainably combine a variety of PV grid integration techniques (feeder screening methods, smart inverters, advanced battery technologies, optimized load management, and better communication and control of energy resources at a consumer or distribution level), resulting in an enhanced control scenario. The technology that will be used is a simple, two-level, and optimized control architecture and will be demonstrated at three field locations. In particular, one residential and two commercial sites will be used, in order to compare and contrast configurations and sizing ratios as well as different grid interconnections and solar resource variability.
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| U.S. DOE Announces $220 Million in Grid Modernization Funding
On January 14, Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz announced the U.S. DOE’s comprehensive Grid Modernization Multi-Year Program Plan. The Plan seeks to improve the resiliency, reliability and security of the nation’s electricity delivery system by coordinating a portfolio of activities to help set the nation on a cost-effective path to a modernized grid that is flexible enough to provide an array of emerging services while remaining affordable to customers. It also builds on concepts and recommendations from DOE’s recently released Quadrennial Energy Review and Quadrennial Technology Review. As part of the Plan, U.S. DOE will award $220 million over three years, subject to congressional appropriations, to support research and development in advanced storage systems, clean energy integration, standards and test procedures, and a number of other key grid modernization areas. DOE will be supported by the Grid Modernization Lab Consortium (GMLC), which consists of 14 DOE National Laboratories (including Tennessee-based Oak Ridge National Lab) and dozens of industry, academia, and state and local government agency partners across the country. For a full list of projects to be awarded, visit http://energy.gov/doe-grid-modernization-laboratory-consortium-gmlc-awards.
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| TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
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| EmPower TN Professional Energy Manager (PEM) Program
The EmPower TN Professional Energy Manager (PEM) Program is a unique opportunity for State employees to enhance their knowledge of the energy management field. Those selected to attend will receive a tuition-free practical and real-world energy management education. Upon passing a final exam, participants will earn the designation of Professional Energy Manager through the Institute of Energy Professionals, a nationally recognized credential. The PEM Program is open to State employees who provide services to internal (e.g., State and public higher education facilities) and/or external customers (e.g., local governments, utility districts, business, and industry). As such, and in line with the long-term goals of the EmPower TN initiative, the PEM Program will foster an operational environment of excellence and will promote energy cost savings across the state through conservation and efficiency in local government and the private sector. State employees directly involved with the following activities are encouraged to apply: (1) building or facility operations; (2) energy related projects, programs, or initiatives; (3) strategic planning; and/or (4) budget oversight. Selection for the PEM Program will be a competitive process, and applications will be evaluated based on the applicants’ qualifications, roles, and impacts. Application submissions are due by 5:00 pm CT, Friday, February 12, 2016. All training sessions will be held at Fleming Training Center (2022 Blanton Dr., Murfreesboro, TN 37129), and training will consist of three week-long sessions: Session I: March 7 – March 11, 2016 Session II: April 25 – April 29, 2016 Session III: May 23 – May 27, 2016
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| USDA Webinar: How to Partner with the Agricultural Research Service to Move Technologies Out of the Lab and into the Marketplace
On February 16, at 2:30 pm ET, the USDA will conduct a free webinar for scientists, entrepreneurs, business developers, investors, and economic development professionals working in the area of human nutrition, animals, biofuels, plants or sustainable agriculture to showcase how companies and academic institutions can form technical partnerships with ARS to leverage key strengths and access state-of-the-art utilization centers. ARS utilization centers are available for establishing partnerships to scale-up ARS research into commercial processes. Each of these state-of-the-art utilization centers has a unique set of resources, facilities, technical experts and scientific research capabilities for the industrial scale-up of lab-based technologies. Utilization centers are available for use by U.S. industry, academia and other laboratories through collaboration with ARS scientists under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA). A key principle of the process is that both ARS and its partner benefit from the relationship.
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| U.S. DOE to Award $55 Million toward the Advancement of Fuel-Efficient Vehicle Technologies
On January 21, U.S. DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) issued, on behalf of the Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO), a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for more than $55 million in funding to advance a broad portfolio of highway transportation technologies that will reduce petroleum consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, while meeting or exceeding vehicle performance and cost expectations. The funding opportunity contains a total of 11 Areas of Interest (AOIs) and focuses on advanced light-weighting; advanced battery development; low cost electric motor development; enabling technologies for high efficiency engines; and support for EV deployment and AFV workplace safety programs. These areas of interest apply to light, medium, and heavy-duty on-road vehicles. Eligible entities include U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, for-profit entities, educational institutions, nonprofits, state, local and tribunal governments, incorporated and unincorporated consortia, and foreign entities that are incorporated under the laws of a State or territory of the United States. Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) and federal agencies and instrumentalities (other than DOE) are eligible to apply for funding as a Subrecipient, but are not eligible to apply as a Prime Recipient. Concept papers are due by February 18 at 8:00 pm ET, and full applications are due by March 28 at 8:00 pm ET. For more information and access to the FOA, click here.
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| TVA to Release Electric Truck Refrigeration RFP
In support of the EPA’s Non-Road Transportation Electrification and Infrastructure initiative, TVA will release an RFP on February 16 related to Electric Truck Refrigeration Unit (eTRUs) installation, hybrid conversions, and dock power station installations. The goal of this project is to reduce diesel fuel consumption while trucks are parked at docks through the installation of eTRUs or hybrids and dock power station equipment. Interested bidders and local power company (LPC) representatives are invited to a webinar at 1 pm CT on February 8 to learn more about this project and RFP. To register for the webinar, click here. This solicitation is open to any company that can provide turnkey installation eTRU equipment or eTRU charging equipment to businesses that receive electric service directly from TVA or through a LPC in the Valley. The project will award $500,000 to one or more qualifying responses. Proposals are due by March 21. For inquiries, please contact Brad Wagner at brwagner0@tva.gov.
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| TVA Electric Forklift Program
Electric forklifts have lower operating costs, less emissions, less maintenance, and quieter operation. As part of its EnergyRight Solutions for Business and Industry program, TVA is offering limited-time only cash incentives for the purchase or lease of all-electric forklifts. All TVA directly served customers, Local Power Company (LPC) customers, and LPC-served customers who have an existing qualifying forklift are eligible to receive $2,000 from TVA for the replacement of internal combustion Class 4 and Class 5 forklifts with electric Class 1 or Class 2 forklifts. Funds will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information and to apply, click here.
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| Plug-in EV Charging Tax Credit for Workplace Charging Installations
By way of H.R. 2029, the U.S. Congress reinstated the alternative fuel infrastructure property tax credit on fueling equipment installed for natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (propane), liquefied hydrogen, electricity, E85, or diesel fuel blends containing a minimum of 20% biodiesel. The incentive originally expired on December 31, 2013, but was retroactively extended through December 31, 2016. Of note, this tax credit can provide up to $30,000 towards a workplace charging installation for plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) charging. Because the tax credit is retroactive, businesses can claim it either if they have installed a charger since January 2015 or if they will install one through December 2016. For technical assistance or information related to workplace charging in Tennessee, please visit www.DriveElectricTN.org or contact Jonathan Overly at jonathan@etcleanfuels.org. Consumers who purchased qualified residential fueling equipment prior to December 31, 2016 may also receive a tax credit of up to $1,000. For more information, visit http://www.afdc.energy.gov/laws/10513.
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| Funding for USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)
USDA Rural Development’s REAP creates economic development opportunities for agricultural producers, rural small businesses, farmers and ranchers by supporting renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. REAP grants provide a 25% reimbursement of the total system costs, with a maximum grant of $500,000 for renewable energy systems and $250,000 for energy efficiency systems. Within the State of Tennessee, rural small businesses already benefit from over $2 million in USDA grants.
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| UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
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| NASEO Energy Policy Outlook Conference
NASEO’s Energy Policy Outlook Conference is the national forum to connect with and learn from state energy officials working on innovative energy policies and programs and to engage with federal officials on priority energy issues. From February 9-12, 2016 in Washington, DC, explore how State and Territory Energy Offices’ efforts are “Powering Economies” and serving as an engine for growth and productivity. NASEO’s 2016 Energy Policy Outlook Conference program will feature experts and strategists from government, business, and advocacy groups focused on sharing new ideas and partnership models that promote energy affordability, infrastructure resilience, clean energy technologies, and economic opportunity. This conference is open to interested State Energy Office directors and key personnel, NASEO affiliate members, Federal officials, utility leaders, building architects and engineers, industrial and manufacturing representatives, technology providers, nonprofit organizations, energy companies, industry groups, financial investment and service companies, policymakers, and trade associations. To view a preliminary agenda, and to register, please visit: http://energyoutlook.naseo.org/registration.
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| On February 10, from 2:00-5:30 PM CT, the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council (TAEBC) will host its Annual Meeting and Networking Reception at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings in Nashville, TN. This meeting will highlight the advantages to a business council membership and how the Council is championing advanced energy as an economic development and job creation strategy in Tennessee. During the meeting, J. Edward (Ted) Townsend III, Chief of Staff for the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development will speak to Tennessee’s growing economy and the role that advanced energy is playing to make Tennessee the #1 state in the Southeast for high-quality jobs. The meeting will also be an opportunity for members to provide feedback on projects/priorities that foster the growth of Tennessee’s advanced energy jobs, companies and technologies. To register or for more information, click here.
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| Environmental Show of the South
The Environmental Show of the South is the largest and most comprehensive environmental conference and tradeshow in the region. Its goal is to provide high-quality, low-cost environmental training as well as updates on government/industry developments and trends, with a particular focus on solid and hazardous waste issues. The 45th annual event will be held on April 20-22, 2016, at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. This conference will feature speakers from leading environmental agencies, industry partners, law firms, and service providers. Learn about compliance from regulators and the regulated community alike, and speak one on one with your favorite permit writer. The exhibit hall will also showcase vendors offering a full spectrum of environmental goods and services. For more information, click here.
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| 2nd Annual TDEC Sustainable Transportation Awards & Forum and the New Tennessee Green Fleet Certification Program
The second annual TDEC Sustainable Transportation Awards & Forum will take place on May 12-13, 2016 at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. To sign up for the Sustainable Transportation Awards and Forum email list, and to receive email updates regarding event details, click here. The 2016 event will also feature the launch of the Tennessee Green Fleet certification program. This program is a new opportunity for any Tennessee-based fleet to receive certification for its efforts toward reducing petroleum consumption, improving air quality and increasing the use of alternative fuels or advanced vehicle technologies. For inquiries related to the Tennessee Green Fleet program, please contact Jonathan Overly at jonathan@etcleanfuels.org.
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