The purpose of this solicitation is to fund applied research to advance strategies for managing California’s hydropower resources for optimal contribution to grid operations. Research funded by this solicitation will foster cost-effective, robust approaches to balance anticipated needs for zero-carbon, fast-ramping resources with environmental protection.
The proposed energy-related environmental research contributes to implementation of the Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) 2021-2025 Investment Plan and responds to the strategic objective: “Inform California's Transition to an Equitable, Zero-Carbon Energy System that is Climate-Resilient and Meets Environmental Goals” (Chapter 7). Specifically, this solicitation supports the following initiatives:
- Initiative 44, “Integrating Climate Resilience in Electricity System Planning” and
- Initiative 45, “Advancing the Environmental Sustainability of Energy Deployments”
Hydroelectric power is an important source of zero-carbon, dispatchable power in California. It is a critical element of the state’s electricity system and in-state generation, providing peaking reserve, spinning reserve, and load following capacity, as well as transmission line support. The percentage of the state’s electricity supplied by hydropower varies, as hydropower resources are strongly dependent on snowmelt runoff and rainfall. Between 2012 and 2021, in-state hydro-production, including imports, has provided an average of 9 percent of the total electricity use.
Amount Available and Minimum/ Maximum Funding Amounts
- There is up to $3,500,000 available for grants awarded under this solicitation. The total, minimum, and maximum funding amounts for each project group are listed below.
Project Group | Available Funding | Minimum award amount | Maximum award amount | Minimum match funding (% of EPIC Funds Requested) |
Group 1: Advancing Precipitation Enhancement in California | $2,000,000 | $1,800,000 | $2,000,000 | 5% |
Group 2: Research to Inform the FERC Hydropower Relicensing Process | $1,500,000 | $250,000 | $500,000 | 5% |
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