Science and Technology
The ecoENERGY Innovation Initiative
The ecoENERGY Innovation Initiative (ecoEII) received funding in Budget 2011, the Next Phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, for a comprehensive suite of research and development (R&D) and demonstration projects. The program’s objective is to support energy technology innovation to produce and use energy in a cleaner and more efficient way. This Initiative is a key component of the Government of Canada’s actions to achieve real emissions reductions, while maintaining Canada’s economic advantage and its ability to create jobs for Canadians. The ecoEII will also help in the search for long-term solutions to reducing and eliminating air pollutants from energy production and use.
Activities funded under ecoEII are in five strategic priority areas:
- Energy Efficiency
- Clean Electricity and Renewables
- Bioenergy
- Electrification of Transportation
- Unconventional Oil and Gas
The Initiative consists of two separate funding streams: one for R&D projects, and one for demonstration projects. Both were launched with requests for Letters of Expression of Interest (LOIs). An LOI is not a complete project proposal but rather an outline of what a complete project would be, with preliminary cost estimates and timeline. This approach allows potential project proponents time to develop collaborations and consortia, and to build upon their initial project idea with those collaborators, before committing to preparing a full project proposal.
Note: There is no current call for proposals and at present we do not expect that there will be any further calls.
Status of Demonstration Component
LOIs received by the deadline were reviewed by technical experts, LOIs that met the terms and requirements of the call were provided feedback and invited to develop and submit a Full Project Proposal (FPP). The deadline for submission of FPPs was 23:59 EST, November 21, 2011.
FPPs received by the deadline have been reviewed by technical experts. Proposals have been selected to proceed to the next stage of consideration, a rigorous due diligence process, which includes confirming that the proponent’s offered funding, including that of any partners, is secured over the lifetime of the proposed project. This stage is under way. Proponents of those proposals that meet the due diligence assessment will then be invited to sign a contribution agreement.
Status of R&D Component
LOIs received by the deadline were reviewed by technical experts and proponents of those that met the terms and requirements of the call for LOIs were provided feedback and invited to develop and submit a Full Project Proposal (FPP). The deadline for submission of FPPs was 23:59 EST, January 9, 2012.
Selected projects will proceed to a rigorous due diligence process, which will include confirming that the proponent’s offered funding, including that of any partners, is secured over the lifetime of the proposed project. Proponents of those proposals that meet the due diligence assessment will then be invited to sign a contribution agreement.
To Contact ecoEII
If you have questions, or wish to contact the program for any reason, please send an e-mail to eco-en@NRCan-RNCan.gc.ca. Please note although we are not currently soliciting or accepting proposals, staff responsible for managing the ecoEII are monitoring the program mailbox and will respond according to our published service standards.
ecoEII Service Standards
The ecoEII Program has put service standards in place during the project solicitation (call for LOIS and proposals) and project delivery stages. The program will endeavour to meet these service standards under normal circumstances, and will notify affected applicants if the service standard cannot be met. Note that the time frames provided represent Natural Resources Canada's time, and do not account for time when program staff are waiting for feedback or responses from the applicant. Program service standards are:
- Responses to requests for information through the eco-en@nrcan.gc.ca e-mail address - 2 business days
- Preparation of a contribution agreement once due diligence is completed - 14 weeks
- Payment of valid and complete invoices - 30 days